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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players Facing a Make-or-Break Season in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) shows off his grill prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) shows off his grill prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) intercepts the football against San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) intercepts the football against San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Tight End Vance McDonald

Oh, to be tight end Vance McDonald.

The former second-round pick of the 49ers in the 2013 NFL Draft certainly hasn’t lived up to his draft stock, and he likely will never fill the void left by former Niners tight end Vernon Davis when he was, you know, good.

Like wide receiver Quinton Patton, a fellow 2013 draftee, McDonald’s pro career has been marked by inconsistency and injury.

But one of the major issues separating McDonald from the pack is his ability to catch the ball.

I may share this video, from Fox Sports’ Dieter Kurtenbach, way too often. But it really does get the point across why fans have been so frustrated about the former Rice prospect.

Yeah.

The 49ers extended fellow tight end Garrett Celek to an extension this offseason and also moved former fullback Bruce Miller to this group. Tack on younger players like Blake Bell and Busta Anderson, and one can see why McDonald’s roster-spot hold might be tenuous at best.

Why He Stays

McDonald always seems to have good preseasons, and it’s probable we’ll see another one in 2016. While not guaranteed to even make this year’s roster, McDonald does have some worthy traits as a pass-blocking tight end (a plus-1.5 grade here, according to Pro Football Focus).

Maybe last year’s numbers, which included career highs in receptions (30) and touchdowns (three), are an indication McDonald was simply a “late bloomer.”

Why He Goes

Barring an incredible bounce-back year, the 49ers have likely seen enough from McDonald and his poor pass-catching abilities.

With more than a few options within this spot on the roster, the Niners aren’t exactly going to be pressed to keep McDonald around after 2016.

Next: No. 1: EDGE Tank Carradine