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San Francisco 49ers: Best and Worst Players at Each Position Entering 2017

By Peter Panacy

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) warms up with quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) 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 quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) warms up with quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) reacts after Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (in background) missed a field goal in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) reacts after Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (in background) missed a field goal in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

Inside Linebacker

Best Player: Gerald Hodges

Worst Player: Michael Wilhoite

Normally this would be a spot where we’d mention perennial All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman. But Bowman was hurt for most of the year, as was fellow ILB Ray-Ray Armstrong.

More from SF 49ers News

But linebacker Gerald Hodges managed to make a positive impression on an otherwise bad 49ers front-seven defense. He ranked third on the team in tackles (52), managed three sacks and even had two interceptions to add to the mix.

All those efforts amounted to an 82.4 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked 19th out of 88 qualifying players.

On the flip side, Michael Wilhoite backed up a poor 2015 effort with an equally as disappointing campaign in 2016.

Wilhoite’s 2016 PFF grade was 38.5 — 84th on that list of 88.

Yeah, the Niners can certainly use some reinforcements on this list. Unless they want to finish dead last against the run again in 2017.