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San Francisco 49ers: Starting Lineup Predictions for 2016 Season

By Trevor Irvine

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebackers huddle 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 linebackers huddle during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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

Inside Linebackers: NaVorro Bowman, Gerald Hodges

Outside Linebackers: Aaron Lynch, Ahmad Brooks

There are no surprises here. All-Pro NaVorro Bowman is the leader of the defense, and linebacker Aaron Lynch is the best pass-rusher on the team. Veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks is infuriating, and he always looks like to be a cap casualty, but he is still on the team and there isn’t any indication he is going anywhere.

This will be his last season as a Niner unless he shows marked improvement in 2016. The team cannot continue to carry his hefty salary for below-par production. He needs a 10-plus sack season to survive.

Hodges is competing with Ray-Ray Armstrong and Michael Wilhoite for the spot alongside Bowman. Hodges had a below-average season in 2015, grading at a plus-43.6 (from a zero to 100 scale) per Pro Football Focus.

If you think this isn’t good enough to start, Wilhoite was much worse — he graded at a plus-33.1 (from the same scale) which was ranked dead-last out of 97 qualified linebackers.

Wilhoite and Armstrong will be the backups, whilst Nick Bellore will remain as a special teams ace.

Next: Defensive Backs