49ers: Way-Too-Early Look at San Francisco's 2017 Starting Lineup

San Francisco 49ers: A Way-Too-Early Prediction of the 2017 Starting Lineup

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) prepares to snap the ball during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers punter Bradley Pinion (5) punts the ball during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams

Kicker: Free Agent

Punter: Bradley Pinion

Long-Snapper: Kyle Nelson

Unless 41-year-old kicker Phil Dawson elects to keep playing beyond 2016 — he might — it’s hard to see the 49ers doing anything but looking elsewhere to supplement this position a year from now.

San Francisco could take a rookie kicker in the 2017 NFL Draft or via undrafted free agency. But the last two Niners kickers have been veterans — Dawson and David Akers.

This will be the case again.

Punter Bradley Pinion isn’t going anywhere. And no one knows long-snapper Kyle Nelson’s name, outside of the die-hard fans. That’s exactly what you want out of the position.

Next: Safety