Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Full Depth Chart & Roster Predictions for 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) celebrates with punter Bradley Pinion (5) after making a field goal during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) celebrates with punter Bradley Pinion (5) after making a field goal during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams

Kicker: Phil Dawson

Punter: Bradley Pinion

Long-Snapper: Kyle Nelson

Players Cut: John Lunsford (K)

There shouldn’t be too much drama here. And we won’t break down each member of San Francisco’s special teams unit aside from the specialists. While important, and an opportunity for young players and/or rookies to make the squad, special teams contributors merely fill out a roster.

San Francisco could elect to replace aging veteran kicker Phil Dawson prior to the regular season — a move similar to what happened when punter Bradley Pinioin replaced former 49ers punter Andy Lee a year ago.

If so, that would mean rookie kicker John Lunsford would get the nod over Dawson.

Had the 49ers invested a draft pick in undrafted free-agent Lunsford, like they did with Pinioin, the chances of Dawson being shown the door would be much more likely.

But, in reality, Lunsford is probably nothing more than a camp body to keep the 41-year-old Dawson away from any kicking-related dangers during the preseason.

Few people know Kyle Nelson’s name, and that’s a good thing for a long-snapper.

Next: Safety