49ers: Way-Too Early Predictions for 2017 Starting Lineup

San Francisco 49ers: Way-Too Early Predictions for 2017 Starting Lineup

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) congratulates defensive end Arik Armstead (91) for sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 10

Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers punter Bradley Pinion (5) punts the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams

Kicker: Free Agent

Punter: Bradley Pinion

Long-Snapper: Kyle Nelson

I don’t know if one can envision seemingly ageless veteran kicker Phil Dawson playing until he is 42 years old (I almost typed 52 there). But it could happen, and that’s the age he’ll be if he stays at the NFL level in 2017.

Dawson was re-signed to a one-year, $3.134 million deal this offseason. And that’s probably going to be his final contract with the 49ers.

San Francisco will bring in a younger — and cheaper — commodity between now and the start of 2017, and he’ll either be a veteran free agent or an undrafted free agent. Well, general manager Trent Baalke (yes, let’s assume he’s still around) could draft one, like he did with punter Bradley Pinion in 2015.

Pinion isn’t going anywhere. And neither is long-snapper Kyle Nelson.

Hooray to long-snappers for getting mentions in articles!

Next: Secondary