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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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May 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward (25) during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward (25) during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: Identify the Cornerstone Pieces and Players

The NFL is a playmaker’s league.

Aside from a handful of standouts, the 49ers are largely devoid of established talent. There are some promising commodities, such as rookie defensive end DeForest Buckner and third-year corner Jimmie Ward, but the Niners will need more if they hope to contend in 2016 and beyond.

Head coach Chip Kelly will inherit a team looking for more than a few answers at a number of key positions on both sides of the ball.

So far, Kelly is saying what a head coach should say — statements suggesting he can work with the current group.

But there’s more to it than just pinning hopes on a largely untested cast.

Fortunately, general manager Trent Baalke spent considerable effort upgrading the trenches and the secondary during the 2016 NFL Draft. So players like defensive end DeForest Buckner, offensive guard Joshua Garnett and cornerback Will Redmond could emerge as cornerstones for years to come.

And there will be more pieces too. Second-year pro Arik Armstead looks to be a force, and he might open things up for pass-rushing linebacker Aaron Lynch.

Defensive back Jimmie Ward could end up being a cornerstone as well. 49ers defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil (h/t Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee) wants to put Ward’s talent to use as much as possible.

“I know he’s one of our best 11. That I do know,” O’Neil said of Ward. “So we’re trying to find ways to get our best 11 on the field. So far, what he has shown out on the practice field – I’m confident that he could do it out there.”

If things go well enough, San Francisco will have a good list of players and units around which the team can build.

Next: Be Objective About the Needs