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Predicting the 2016 San Francisco 49ers Week 17 Starting Lineup

By Peter Panacy

December 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) tackles Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) tackles Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) during the first quarter 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 cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) breaks up a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) 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 cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) breaks up a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback

The 49ers cornerback position is deep, especially after general manager Trent Baalke added three more rookies to the mix via the 2016 NFL Draft, but it’s largely untested.

This opens up the door for competition, risers and fallers.

But the two guys at the top, Tramaine Brock and Jimmie Ward, probably won’t have much of a challenge by the way of their starting potential.

Ward has switched from being the team’s nickel back to a corner on the outside, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, which puts Ward’s strong 2015 finish to best use.

Brock, who led San Francisco’s defense with 11 passes defended, could lose his starting gig this year if one of the younger members of the 49ers secondary steps up.

It doesn’t seem likely at this point though.

Week 17 Starters: Tramaine Brock and Jimmie Ward

Next: Linebacker