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San Francisco 49ers: Early Team-Award Predictions for 2016 Season

By Chandler Wright

Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers Anquan Boldin poses with the Walter Payton Man of the Year award at the NFL Honors press room at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers Anquan Boldin poses with the Walter Payton Man of the Year award at the NFL Honors press room at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 30, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley (74) and offensive guard Mike Iupati (77) line up at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Browns 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 30, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley (74) and offensive guard Mike Iupati (77) line up at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Browns 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bobb McKittrick Award

The Bobb McKittrick Award was established, with the help of Bill Walsh, in 1999. It is given annually to the offensive lineman that “best represents the courage, intensity and sacrifice of the late Coach McKittrick during his 21 years of service with the 49ers.”

Walsh had this to say about the award:

"Bobb gave distinguished service to the organization since our renaissance in 1979.  He was a vital factor in five Super Bowl Championships, the evolution of a dynasty and in the production of some of the finest offensive linemen in football. Offensive linemen don’t receive the recognition they so richly deserve.  This gives us a venue to honor their sacrifices and achievements."

And the 2016 Bobb McKittrick Award goes to…

Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Daniel Kilgore against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Daniel Kilgore against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Center Daniel Kilgore.

Kilgore was taken with the No. 32 pick in the fifth round, pick No. 163 overall, in 2011. That year he played in only one game but would go on to see action in all 16 games in 2012 and 2013. Jim Harbaugh’s staff used those games to prepare Kilgore for a starting spot by 2014.

Unfortunately for Kilgore, he broke his leg after just seven starts and didn’t see time until the final five games in 2015. He should, however, have a bounce-back season in 2016.

Honestly, Joe Staley could take this award home, for the third straight year, much like Eric Heitmann did from 2006-2008, but maybe Kilgore’s renewed presence and strong play can make him a candidate for the award.

Next: The Ed Block Courage Award