Niner Noise
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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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November 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Coby Fleener (82) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) and inside linebacker Nick Bellore (50) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Coby Fleener (82) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) and inside linebacker Nick Bellore (50) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

F. . Linebacker. San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers put their faith in both linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Aaron Lynch entering 2016. And they hoped fill-in guys like Ray-Ray Armstrong and Gerald Hodges could plug the line. San Francisco hoped veteran outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks would offer something while second-year pro Eli Harold would ascend nicely.

None of it happened.

Bowman suffered a season-ending Achilles injury early in the season. That hurt. And Armstrong’s pectoral injury in Week 2 also hindered San Francisco’s run-stopping abilities.

Brooks is a shell of his former self, and the team’s reliance upon no-more-than-backup guys, Michael Wilhoite and Nick Bellore, proved to be disastrous for the NFL’s last-ranked run defense.

So much for fired general manager Trent Baalke not feeling this was a need.

Nov 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) during warm ups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) during warm ups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Biggest Standout: ILB Gerald Hodges

Surprisingly, Hodges was one of the better Niners defenders on the year. His 52 tackles and three sacks earned him an 82.4 overall grade on the year, per Pro Football Focus, second only to Bowman’s 86.0 mark.

Hodges, a free agent this offseason, is a strong candidate to be re-signed this offseason. Even if he doesn’t start, the Niners wouldn’t have to worry about depth behind guys like Bowman and Armstrong.

Biggest Bust: OLB Aaron Lynch

In fairness, Wilhoite was pretty awful. So was Bellore. Brooks too.

But the level of expectation on Lynch was high entering this season. And yet Lynch missed the first four games of 2016 due to suspension. This, combined with a high-ankle sprain, forced Lynch to miss all but seven games this season.

Over that stretch, Lynch recorded a mere 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks — lowly numbers for the guy perceived to be the team’s best pass-rusher.