Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Who Is on Each Position’s Roster Bubble in 2016?

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 9
Next
Corey Lemonier, san Francisco 49ers
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Corey Lemonier (96) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker

Outside Linebacker: Ahmad Brooks, Jason Fanaika, Eli Harold, Lenny Jones, Corey Lemonier, Aaron Lynch, Marcus Rush

Inside Linebacker: Ray-Ray Armstrong, Nick Bellore, NaVorro Bowman, Gerald Hodges, Wynton McManis, Shayne Skov, Michael Wilhoite

Veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks is one player possibly on the roster bubble in 2016 after seeing his production and role decline in each of the last two seasons. But it’s hard to envision the Niners parting ways with him at this point. Putting it simply, they would have done so already.

The same can’t be said of fellow outside linebacker Corey Lemonier, who has largely underachieved since being drafted in Round 3 of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Lemonier has just one sack to his credit and has seen his stock fall consistently since his rookie year. Second-year linebacker Eli Harold already passed over Lemonier on the depth chart, and the latter won’t be helped if defensive end, turned edge-rusher Tank Carradine makes some strides.

Inside linebackers Ray-Ray Armstrong, Gerald Hodges and Michael Wilhoite are all competing for the starting spot alongside NaVorro Bowman, per 49ers defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil (h/t Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee).

Two of these three competitors will likely make the roster, although it doesn’t look good for backup linebacker Shayne Skov or his supporting depth cast.

And Hodges may be the favorite to start over Wilhoite anyway.

Strong Bubble: Ahmad Brooks, Gerald Hodges, Michael Wilhoite

Weak Bubble: Ray-Ray Armstrong, Nick Bellore, Jason Fanaika, Lenny Jones, Corey Lemonier, Wynton McManis, Shayne Skov

Next: Defensive Line