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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Early Predictions for 2016 Regular Season

By Trevor Irvine

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) reacts after recording a sack against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) reacts after recording a sack against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro Bowlers for 2016

Aaron Lynch

NaVorro Bowman

Joe Staley

Carlos Hyde

This is not an exclusive list. The number will be dependent on how the Niners do in 2016. If they have a better-than-expected season, this number will go up. If they completely stink, they will be lucky to get one or two selections.

This prediction is also dependent on Lynch and Hyde having healthy seasons.

The picks of Bowman and Staley are givens, as they are arguably when at their best the most influential players on each side of the ball. Staley is just so consistent from year-to-year, and with another year under his belt for recovery, Bowman (who led the league in tackles last season) will only get better in his sideline-to-sideline movement and hopefully getting to the QB more often.

Lynch tied for the team lead in sacks in 2015, with 6.5, despite only playing in 14 games. He was hampered by injury, and a defensive line who could not open holes regularly.

With an improved depth on the defense in 2016, and with a better scheme to get to the opposing QB, Lynch (providing he can stay healthy) should have a 10-plus sack season number. This number, especially if it gets well into the double digits, will make him a Pro Bowl player.

His “swim-move” technique is a thing of beauty, as you can see from this video posted by Ryan Sakamoto of Ninersfans.com:

Hyde will be a 1000-plus yard rusher in 2016 if he can stay healthy. He is easily a top-8 RB when fit and he should thrive under head coach Chip Kelly’s inside-zone scheme.

Kevin Patra of NFL.com notes:

"Hyde is the clear No. 1 back. How heavy a load Kelly shoulders the back with remains to be seen. The praise of Hyde’s agility and vision — needed for Kelly’s bevy of stretch runs — suggests Kelly has the perfect back for his system"

If Hyde can have the type of season we all hope he can have, he will be a Pro Bowler.

Next: Special Teams MVP: Phil Dawson