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5 Reasons Why the 49ers Will be Worse than You Think in 2016

By Bryan Knowles

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on next to quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on next to quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars guard Zane Beadles (68) against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars guard Zane Beadles (68) against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Quiet in Free Agency

The 49ers had tons of money to spend in free agency this offseason; they were poised, by all accounts, to make a massive overhaul to the team by bringing in quality players to run Chip Kelly’s new system.

Well, that didn’t happen. The 49ers brought in exactly one free agent with a history of NFL success—Zane Beadles, who struggled mightily at guard for Jacksonville last season. It can even be argued that he’s a downgrade, as the 49ers let Alex Boone go to Minnesota. Beadles fits Kelly’s system better and may have more success, but it’s hard to get super-excited about a free-agent class when it’s most known player is a solidly average guard.

Who else did the 49ers bring in? Their only other NFL free agent is Thad Lewis, one of Kelly’s developmental quarterbacks in Philadelphia who seems unlikely to make the team.

Then, they brought in a number of CFL players who might develop into something, so there’s some potential there, but potential is a long way from on-field production.

I’m not saying the 49ers should have gone out and over-paid for every free agent out there, but it’s somewhat discouraging that the 49ers will be trotting out roughly the same lineup they did last season, plus a few rookies. Adding a Josh Norman or a Danny Trevathan to the defense would give the 49ers something more concrete to be excited about in 2016.

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