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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Biggest Weaknesses Entering 2016

By Chandler Wright

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly speaks to the media 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 head coach Chip Kelly speaks to the media during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) is carted off the field after an injury during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns defeated the 49ers 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) is carted off the field after an injury during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns defeated the 49ers 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3, Depth at Corner

The 49ers have a lot of young competition at corner right now. Third-year players Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser both got some experience in 2015. Acker was a starter for most of the season, while Reaser was in reserves. The Niners also drafted injured CB Will Redmond in Round 3 of the 2016 NFL Draft, as well as promising young LSU Tiger Rashard Robinson.

Robinson has really taken off, according to 49ers’ safety Antoine Bethea (via Jennifer Lee Chan of ninersnation.com):

"Oh, he’s doing good, young guy coming to the game, especially going against Chip’s offense, that’s going to be one of the main things for him, you know, just the speed of the game. But he’s doing good, you know, as a young player, I think the most important thing to do is just go out there and work hard. Work hard and get in the film room, study, and know the play book."

The problem with this? You’re probably wondering.

The 49ers have a huge competition at their nickel corner spot. Jimmie Ward, the team’s former nickel corner, has been moved to the outside, opening up the slot job. Now, there are two ways that San Francisco can approach this. One, is that Donte Johnson can play the outside in nickel situations, while Ward moves back inside. Or two, the Niners can start Redmond, Robinson or one of their other corners as a strict slot corner.

However it plays out, don’t expect a lot of solid players behind the starting three. The corners are young, inexperienced and in some cases, not as talented as need be. According to Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, “The Niners need a new nickel fast” thanks to Davis and Reaser.

Let’s hope that situation solves itself in camp, so it won’t be a weakness come Week 1.

Next: No. 2, Who will be the No. 2 Receiver?