Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting 49ers 2016 Depth Chart Before Training Camp

By Peter Panacy

Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) kicks a field goal out of the hold by punter Andy Lee (4) during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) kicks a field goal out of the hold by punter Andy Lee (4) during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams

Kicker: Phil Dawson

Punter: Bradley Pinion

Returner: Bruce Ellington

There isn’t a lot of drama associated with special teams and specialists.

Second-year punter Bradley Pinion isn’t going anywhere, and the 49ers probably aren’t going to replace 41-year-old veteran kicker Phil Dawson with rookie undrafted free agent John Lunsford either.

Lunsford is merely a camp body — just like what San Francisco did with former Niners kicker Corey Acosta a year ago.

Wide receiver Bruce Ellington should get the return duties, although he may see some competition from second-year wideout DeAndrew White, among others.

Next: Free Safety