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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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Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back

No surprises here. As long as third-year running back Carlos Hyde can stay healthy over the course of 2016, he’ll be the 49ers starter from start to finish.

Hyde’s efforts on the field, under head coach Chip Kelly’s inside-zone scheme, will go a long way in determining how successful San Francisco is over the course of the season. It’s a task we already brought to light not long ago in this article here.

The 49ers have been waiting for Hyde to break out, and the start of his 2015 campaign looked to be an indication of that.

And who could forget Hyde’s Monday Night Football performance against the Minnesota Vikings a year ago?

San Francisco will want more of that in 2016. And the team will want to ensure Hyde stays healthy and fresh over the course of 16 regular-season games. So keeping a capable crop of backups will be a necessity.

Week 17 Starter: Carlos Hyde

Next: Quarterback