Niner Noise
FanSided

5 Steps Needed to Start Rebuilding the San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

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Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Identify Three Offensive and Three Defensive Players to Build Around

The 2016 49ers may be bereft of talent. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t guys there.

The defensive side of the ball might be a bit easier to locate and feature stronger or more-promising players. Assuming linebacker NaVorro Bowman comes back fully healthy next year, who are some of the other guys the Niners should try to feature as impact players on this side of the ball?

Here are a few:

  • DE Arik Armstead
  • DE DeForest Buckner
  • CB Rashard Robinson
Aug 5, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) walks out onto the field at SAP Performance Facility at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 5, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) walks out onto the field at SAP Performance Facility at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

The rest? Well, they’re OK players. Linebacker Aaron Lynch still hasn’t “broke out” yet. And defensive back Jimmie Ward is a nice commodity. But he’s not quite the playmaker.

The above guys might be. And with defensive ends Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, their first-round draft status suggests San Francisco should try to feature them much, much more in coming seasons.

What about the offense though?

It’s a little tougher. San Francisco’s true offensive playmaker is running back Carlos Hyde.

While injury history has unfortunately paralleled the tailback, he still should be a prominent figure. Others could be:

  • TE Vance McDonald
  • WR Torrey Smith
  • WR Aaron Burbridge

Players on the offensive line aren’t listed here. And the aforementioned guys aren’t necessarily big threats.

But it’s about as much as the 49ers have right now.