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5 Realistic Goals for the San Francisco 49ers in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) celebrates after making a tackle for a loss against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) celebrates after making a tackle for a loss against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Not much is expected out of the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. So with yet another disappointing season likely on the table, what are some realistic goals for the franchise as they go through a critical rebuilding year?

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced 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; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers will finish with a record of X-X in the 2016 NFL season.

Go ahead and try to project the record. If you’re like most pro-football analysts and pundits, the Niners’ 2016 mark probably won’t be that good. In all likelihood, San Francisco will finish with a record at, or similar too, last year’s 5-11 effort. This is also reflected in NFL Mocks‘ breakdown of the projected 2017 draft order. The Niners are slated to have the No. 4 overall pick here.

In reality, the 49ers’ 2016 record shouldn’t matter all that much, unless you’re more concerned with overall draft order. What will matter are some of the other various goals the franchise needs to set for itself this season.

Remember, San Francisco is going through a major transition. There’s a new coaching staff in place. The team is very young — an average age of 23 years old, according to Fox Sports.

The 49ers will be good again. The only question is when.

So what are some realistic goals the Niners can set for themselves this season? How can San Francisco make good use of a 2016 campaign in order to set the franchise back on the right path for years to come?

Let’s try to break it down.

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