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San Francisco 49ers: Full Predictions for the 2016 NFL Season

By Peter Panacy

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) rushes for a gain against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) rushes for a gain against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers chief executive officer Jed York (left), Chip Kelly (center), and San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke (right) pose for a photo in a press conference after naming Kelly as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers chief executive officer Jed York (left), Chip Kelly (center), and San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke (right) pose for a photo in a press conference after naming Kelly as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

How Will the Niners Recap 2016?

In many ways, this prediction is the toughest to make. Sure, we can base any thoughts on what the Niners may think of their efforts after 2016 is finished. But there are so many X-factors and variables yet to be revealed here.

My guess is the 49ers will be forced to embrace the fact this team is still going through a complete overhaul. The record may be disappointing, and fans’ expectations may still be low, but this is a process.

Remember, the late Bill Walsh’s first two years as head coach of the Niners were awful. It took time.

Let’s not suggest head coach Chip Kelly is the second coming of Walsh, but we can state the 49ers are viewing this as a multiyear process.

San Francisco will hopefully have more than a few cornerstone pieces on the field. That’s good. Build around those. The team will likely need a few more cogs on the defensive side of the ball — perhaps at linebacker and in the pass-rushing department.

The 49ers will also want some offensive line stability. And they’ll be looking to add playmakers as well. Maybe, perhaps likely, the Niners will want a long-term solution at quarterback too.

The list of San Francisco’s needs this upcoming offseason won’t be quite as long as it was entering 2016. And general manager Trent Baalke may be a little more aggressive in free agency compared to last year.

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But the general consensus will be the desire to see the 49ers take a much more significant leap from 2016 to 2017 than the one seen from last year to this one.

If that happens, these predictions may be a little more fun to make. There won’t be as much negative speculation and not nearly the criticism.

Until that happens, this is all we have to go on.

Next: Breaking Down 49ers Strengths, Liabilities in 2016

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.