Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Full 2016 Report-Card Grades for Every Position

By Peter Panacy

Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares to pass the football against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares to pass the football against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (4) celebrates after scoring his 400th field goal against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The New England Patriots defeated the San Francisco 49ers 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (4) celebrates after scoring his 400th field goal against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The New England Patriots defeated the San Francisco 49ers 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

C-. . Special Teams. San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco was forced to rely upon its special teams unit a lot in 2016. Whether it be hoping veteran kicker Phil Dawson could give the 49ers much-needed points or an overuse of second-year punter Bradley Pinion, the Niners had no shortage of special teams usage.

Overall, San Francisco special teams finished with a minus-1.2 percent DVOA, according to Football Outsiders, on the year. It’s not a great mark. But it’s not horrible either.

Biggest Standout: K Phil Dawson

What can one say about a 41-year-old kicker still contributing at a high level?

Dawson had his share of misses late in the year but still managed to make 18 of his 21 field-goal attempts. And he missed just one extra-point attempt on the year.

One could say Dawson was the team’s offensive MVP as well. And that’s saying something, both good and bad.

Biggest Bust: P Bradley Pinion

Let’s face it, Pinion will never live up to being drafted in Round 5 of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Pinion’s punts averaged 44.0 yards on the year — 25th overall in the league. The guy he replaced, Andy Lee, averaged 49.1 yards per punt for the Carolina Panthers, which ranked second in the NFL, before being hurt late in the season.

Yeah, the Niners made the wrong move there.