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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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Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) scores a second quarter touchdown against Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) in a preseason NFL football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Tight End

The tight end position is one of many with plenty of fluidity as training camp approaches.

With former 49ers tight end Vernon Davis no longer in the picture, the door is wide open for fellow TEs Garrett Celek, Vance McDonald, Blake Bell and former fullback Bruce Miller to seize the opportunity to start.

Oh, and one can throw in rookie, and likely wide receiver convert, Devon Cajuste into the mix.

McDonald, based on his second-round draft-pick status from 2013, should be the favorite here. The problem is, well, he isn’t. McDonald’s hands have been a consistent problem.

On the flip side, Celek could be on the ascent.

We can’t forget Miller, who has been one of the Niners’ more versatile offensive weapons in recent years. But Miller will fulfill more of an H-back role rather than a traditional tight end.

So Celek gets the nod.

Week 17 Starter: Garrett Celek

Next: Wide Receiver