Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Projecting 53-Man Roster in 2016

By Peter Panacy

August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) celebrates with punter Bradley Pinion (5) after making a field goal during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) celebrates with punter Bradley Pinion (5) after making a field goal during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams

Kicker: Phil Dawson

Punter: Bradley Pinion

Long-Snapper: Kyle Nelson

Kick Returner: Bruce Ellington

Punt Returner: Bruce Ellington

There actually might be a little bit of drama on special teams this season. And we aren’t talking about gunner positions or reserves trying to get on-field playing time.

Veteran kicker Phil Dawson, at 41 years old, signed an offseason one-year extension with the Niners, which will keep one of the better scoring options — yes, that’s true — the 49ers have. Dawson made 24 of 27 field-goal attempts a year ago and missed just one of his 21 extra-point attempts on the season.

But the 49ers also signed undrafted free agent John Lunsford out of Liberty. Lunsford could be nothing more than a camp body and someone to handle field-goal duties during the preseason in order to keep Dawson away from any sort of substantial injury risk.

Yet San Francisco might elect to promote Lunsford and part ways with Dawson — similar to how the organization handed punters Bradley Pinion and Andy Lee in 2015.

Dawson probably has the edge though. And Pinion isn’t going anywhere.

And wide receiver Bruce Ellington will assume return duties as there really isn’t a reason to assume someone else takes over this job.

Next: Safety