San Francisco 49ers: Expectations for the 5 Worst Players in 2016 Season

Linebacker Michael Wilhoite

2015 PFF Grades:

• Overall: minus-16.5
• Run Defense: minus-5.4
• Pass Rush: minus-0.8
• Pass Coverage: minus-11.2

2015 marked the first year in which former-perennial backup linebacker Michael Wilhoite was expected to assume a starting job for a full 16-game season. After all, the 49ers lost both linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland to retirement the previous offseason, and Wilhoite had been an amicable backup previously.

But Wilhoite’s 2015 campaign was anything but stellar. His minus-11.2 pass-coverage grade ranked lowest out of all 49ers defenders last year, and fans can likely recall opposing quarterbacks simply targeting whichever receiver Wilhoite was covering.

Wilhoite doesn’t exactly offer a lot of positives in other areas either. Despite finishing 2015 as the second-leading tackler behind NaVorro Bowman, Wilhoite’s efforts suggest he’s best suited to remain in a depth role and nothing else.

Yet San Francisco didn’t bring in an inside linebacker via the 2016 NFL Draft, so it’s entirely possible fans will have to see more of the 29-year-old veteran this season.

There are some wild cards in the mix for this job though.

According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, fellow linebackers Gerald Hodges and Ray-Ray Armstrong are expected to compete for the starting gig alongside Bowman.

Wilhoite is playing on a restricted free-agent contract this season, per Barrows, which puts San Francisco in a perfect position. If Wilhoite doesn’t assume the starting job — it’s entirely possible he doesn’t — the Niners aren’t committed to him beyond 2016.

But if Wilhoite somehow proves 2015 was more of an anomaly, the linebacker may be retained on a relatively cheap deal compared to the rest of the free-agent market.

And who knows how that shapes up less than a year from now?

Next: T/OG Erik Pears