San Francisco 49ers: Predicting Post-OTA Starting Lineups

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Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

NaVorro Bowman will of course start on the inside, but there’s an open question as to who will be alongside him when the season starts. Gerald Hodges has been getting most of the work next to him, but Michael Wilhoite and Ray-Ray Armstrong have been seeing work, as well—it’s an open position.

Hodges, who was acquired via trade last October, became a starter when an ankle injury forced Wilhoite out of the lineup. Hodges is a high-energy player who fits in well in Kelly’s system. It’s notable that he got the first snaps with the first team when OTAs began; it might be nothing, but someone had to get in there first, and it’s not like the 49ers were going in alphabetical order or anything. Hodges wasn’t going to start last year; he came in halfway through the season for a coaching staff that had already put a lot of work into Wilhoite. With an entirely fresh coaching staff, and a full offseason to work, I think Hodges gets the opening day start.

On the outside, Ahmad Brooks has been out of action with a minor injury. He’ll likely regain his starting job once he returns, but for now, second-year player Eli Harold has been getting the starts there. I don’t think Harold takes that job this year—if the 49ers were planning to move on from Brooks, they likely would have done so before the draft. Either way, Aaron Lynch is penciled in as the starter on the other side; he’s the 49ers’ best pass-rusher at the moment, and is poised to have a major breakout season.

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