Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Ranking Each Position in 2016 by Strength

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) is congratulated by tight end Vance McDonald (89) and wide receiver Bruce Ellington (10) for scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) is congratulated by tight end Vance McDonald (89) and wide receiver Bruce Ellington (10) for scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker

Best Player: NaVorro Bowman

Worst Player: Michael Wilhoite

X-Factor: Eli Harold

San Francisco has two proven forces within its linebacker corps — NaVorro Bowman and Aaron Lynch.

Bowman led the 49ers last season — heck, the entire NFL — with 116 tackles and posted a plus-9.0 run-defense grade, per PFF. His coverage abilities may not have been as good as in years prior, but Bowman’s surgically repaired knee should hopefully be even better in 2016.

Lynch is another force and remains San Francisco’s best pass-rusher. But both Lynch and Bowman will need a lot of help to be effective this season.

The only problem is the 49ers don’t exactly boast a good number of other options at the linebacker position. Veteran outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks was tied for the team lead in sacks, along with Lynch, with 6.5. But he also posted a minus-10.2 overall PFF grade.

Alongside Bowman, the 49ers don’t exactly have an amicable option either. Michael Wilhoite, who may likely be the starter here in 2016, was San Francisco’s worst-graded defender last year with a minus-16.5 overall grade.

Perhaps last year was just a gaffe, but signs don’t point to Wilhoite being a force this season.

While one-time defensive end Tank Carradine might be player to watch as he slims down for an edge-rushing role this year, another pass-rusher to keep an eye on is second-year pro Eli Harold.

Harold added some weight during the offseason, so it will be interesting to see whether or not he can add his own prowess to what was an anemic 49ers pass rush a year ago.

Still, there are plenty of questions at a position which, not long ago, was considered to be one of San Francisco’s biggest strengths. Will the Niners be haunted by not drafting an inside linebacker or promising high-level outside linebacker in 2016?

And how will the remaining young players develop this season? There are a lot of question marks here.

Tier 4

Next: Defensive Line