Niner Noise
FanSided

Five 49ers Who Need to Make the Leap in 2016

By Nicholas McGee

August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) picks up a fumble in front of St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) picks up a fumble in front of St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Eli Harold

The concerns people had regarding Eli Harold proved well-founded in his rookie season in the NFL.

Harold came into the league last season as a third-round pick who many believed was too lean to make an impact as a pass-rusher in the pros.

And the former Virginia Cavalier subsequently struggled in his maiden NFL campaign, failing to register a single sack in 16 games, one of which he started.

He did improve down the stretch, particularly in defending the run, and had three-tackle performances against the Cincinnati Bengals and St. Louis Rams.

But Harold was brought in to be a pass-rusher and the pressure is on him to step up and take some of the burden away from Aaron Lynch — whose fellow starting outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks is now 32 years old.

Brooks had a solid 2015, tying Lynch for the team lead with 6.5 sacks, but it remains to be seen how long he can maintain that level of performance and the 49ers need someone else to contribute regardless of whether the 10-year veteran continues to produce.

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The likes of Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Tank Carradine will be expected to generate pressure up front but on the edge Harold is the main man after Lynch and Brooks under pressure to perform.

To his credit, Harold has packed on the weight in a bid to up his play strength, going from 247 pounds to 270 pounds with the hope of starting the season at around the 265 range.

San Francisco will hope Harold should have a better chance of overpowering blockers with his added weight. If he can do so and add to the Niners sack total in 2016 — it would be a huge boost to the pass rush and his prospects of taking over from Brooks in the coming years.

Next: Quinton Patton: Why 49ers Receiver Has the Most to Prove in 2016

All stats, records and accolades courtesy of Pro Football Reference and Sports Reference unless otherwise indicated.