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San Francisco 49ers: Thresholds for Success in 2016

By Trevor Irvine

Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) try to recover a fumble in the end zone during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) try to recover a fumble in the end zone during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) catches the ball for the winning touchdown during the overtime period Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The 49ers won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) catches the ball for the winning touchdown during the overtime period Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The 49ers won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Torrey Smith must catch 10-plus TD passes in 2016

Smith is the clear No. 1 wide receiver on the Niners roster with the looking-like departure of Anquan Boldin. It is time for him to step up and grab these reigns.

The Niners have decent enough depth at the receiver position — Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton, Eric Rogers, DeAndrew White, DeAndre Smelter and Jerome Simpson just to name a few.

It is likely that Smith will still see some double-teams down the field in respect to his speed, but if any of these other guys turn themselves into a dangerous No. 2, then look out. He may not see as many double-teams.

Smith had his best season last year in terms of yards per reception at 20.1, but he only caught four TDs. A lot of this was caused by the below-average play of the QB, in addition to the woeful play-calling.

In 2015, he ranked 73rd out of 121 qualified wide receivers with a grade of plus-68.4 (from a zero to 100 scale), per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He was just average in comparison to the other receivers in the league. Mike Tagliere of PFF explains what influenced this mark:

"After finishing as a top-23 fantasy wide receiver in each of his first four seasons with the Ravens, Smith ran into all sorts of problems in 2015. Not only was Colin Kaepernick not throwing the ball well in general, he also wasn’t trying to get it to Smith much at all. Smith’s targets were far lower than those he saw when with the Ravens."

In 2014 Smith caught 11 TD passes, so he has proven he can catch 10 TDs in a season. Going into his sixth league season, and combined with (hopefully) more effective offensive play-calling, will send Smith to the best year of his career.

The ball need to be thrown deep downfield without reservations to make the best use out of Smith. His speed is his best trait – it must be exploited. The coaches cannot worry whether he doesn’t catch it or worse still it is intercepted. The threat alone will make the offense better.

Better QB play combined with better play-calling should make the 10-plus TD mark a certainty for Smith in 2016.

Next: The Niners can finish with a winning record in 2016