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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 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 /

Linebacker

Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch’s four-game suspension puts San Francisco’s pass rush into a bit of a bind to start 2016.

It also opens up the door for second-year pro Eli Harold to earn a starting job alongside veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks. Brooks, who has been on the decline since a Pro Bowl 2013 season, will certainly start the year.

But will he finish it? And if Harold comes on strong, Lynch’s return almost guarantees Brooks will be relegated to a reserve role.

At the inside linebacker position, there isn’t much doubt to NaVorro Bowman’s commanding presence. Yet who plays alongside him is still up for grabs. Last year it was Michael Wilhoite, but he finished 2015 with a minus-16.5 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus, thus opening up the door for a three-way competition between him, Ray-Ray Armstrong and Gerald Hodges.

Hodges likely wins out to start the season, and things will stay that way through all of 2016.

Week 17 Starters: Eli Harold and Aaron Lynch (OLB), NaVorro Bowman and Gerald Hodges (ILB)

Next: Defensive Line