Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers Training Camp: 5 Biggest Storylines to Watch in 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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
49ers Ian Williams
49ers Ian Williams /

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) looks at the score board late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 42-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: Two Star Defenders MIA?

For different reasons, defensive tackle Ian Williams and linebacker Aaron Lynch will miss the first four games of 2016.

Let’s start with Lynch.

Ninernoise.com has already covered the story in articles like, 49ers: Is Aaron Lynch Trending to Be the Next Aldon Smith?,and Why Aaron Lynch Suspension is Big Blow to 49ers, but I’ll sum it up before getting to Williams, which is an even bigger story.

Lynch’s suspension hurts in three ways.

  • No. 1 — The young talent on the outside is thinned out.
  • No. 2 — The 49ers play three very good quarterbacks in their first four games (Cam Newton in Week 2, Russel Wilson in Week 3 and Tony Romo in Week 4).
  • No. 3 — It’s hard to ignore the Aldon Smith effect.

This makes fans question general manager Trent Baalke for drafting two troubled linebackers, it leaves no premier pass-rusher on the 49ers roster (maybe defensive lineman Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, but they are still developing) and, finally, it opens up time for Newton, Wilson and Romo to sit in the pocket to make plays.

The 49ers could lose a couple of their first four games just because of Lynch being out, but onto Williams.

Williams was probably the 49ers most consistent defender last season, as he started 16 games for the first time in his career, racked up 45 tackles, one sack, one pass defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and became one of the best true nose tackles in all of the NFL.

In 2013, Williams played the first game and a half before going on IR. He was already a superstar, but no one knew it yet.

Williams leadership is where he’ll be truly missed if he lands on the PUP list for the first six weeks of 2016. The 49ers have plenty of young talent, but lack veterans to guide and teach them. It’ll be very important to watch Williams’ recovery, hoping it goes fast and well.

Next: No. 3: Trent Baalke out in 2017?