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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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Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during a player injury against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during a player injury against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers X-Factors for 2016 Season

Wide receiver Bruce Ellington is an X-factor. So is linebacker Aaron Lynch. Depending on these respective contributions, the 49ers may have a good season after all. Or, if things don’t go all that well, the Niners will be wallowing towards the bottom of the single-digit win column once more.

That’s what defines an X-factor in this case — a player whose accolades and efforts will have a direct result on the overall outcome.

But there are more than just Ellington and Lynch. More than running back Carlos Hyde or linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

To start, wide receiver Torrey Smith will need to showcase his ability to be the true No. 1 wide receiver. His job will be more than just drawing down-the-field coverage to open up things underneath. As the unquestioned leader within this WR crop, Smith will need to emerge as a favorite target — something he was unable to do in 2015 as he endured career-low numbers across the board.

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) holds a pad for a drill during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) holds a pad for a drill during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Head coach Chip Kelly’s offense should put Smith into a position to succeed though. But it goes beyond just having one proven wideout. It starts up front.

So let’s throw in San Francisco’s offensive line as an X-factor. This unit was atrocious in 2015 and gave up a total of 30 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Even worse, PFF ranked the Niners O-line No. 30 in the league last year in run blocking.

Not good when you want to be a run-first team.

The Niners made some changes. Gone are offensive linemen Alex Boone and Jordan Devey. In are players like Zane Beadles, Joshua Garnett, Fahn Cooper and John Theus.

Will it work? If so, the 49ers offense should be significantly better. If not, things will be nearly as bad as last season.

That’s an X-factor for sure.

Next: Predicting the Offensive Output