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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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December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) following the 22-21 victory against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) following the 22-21 victory against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

D+. . Cornerback. San Francisco 49ers.

So much for all those cornerbacks former 49ers general manager Trent Baalke drafted in advance of 2016.

Out of this crop, the Niners have no more than two or three guys they can feel OK about moving forward — Tramaine Brock, Rashard Robinson and Jimmie Ward. And Brock might be pushed out of the picture anyway.

This group was relatively strong early in the season. Teams simply had to run the ball right at San Francisco’s defense, which kept the numbers against the secondary relatively low. But when tested, this unit didn’t match up particularly well.

Biggest Standout: Rashard Robinson

Ward is going to be a vital piece moving forward. But the Niners found a hidden gem with Robinson in Round 4 of the draft last year.

Robinson finished with a 61.8 overall grade on the year, per Pro Football Focus. Brock finished the highest with 81.8. But it’s clear Robinson is more a part of San Francisco’s future. Not necessarily Brock.

One can feel pretty good about Robinson’s maturation process into 2017.

Biggest Bust: Will Redmond

Remember when Baalke promised his last “Team-ACL” member, Will Redmond, would be ready for training camp?

Well, he wasn’t. And he wasn’t ready for the regular season either.

Redmond, a third-round pick from 2016, is easily this year’s biggest bust at the position. And if he doesn’t make a substantial impact this upcoming year, it’s safe to say he’ll be yet another wasted Baalke pick.