Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players the Team Needs to Move On from in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) watches the game action against Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) watches the game action against Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: Linebacker Michael Wilhoite

If 2015 wasn’t enough to convince the Niners linebacker Michael Wilhoite wasn’t suited to be an everyday player, 2016 certainly should have been.

True, Wilhoite was pressed into service more often than San Francisco would have liked, thanks to season-ending injuries to fellow ILBs NaVorro Bowman and Ray-Ray Armstrong. But it isn’t as if Wilhoite’s production was anything worth more than a backup role.

According to Pro Football Focus, Wilhoite posted a 38.5 overall grade on the season, which ranked 83rd out of 87 qualifying linebackers last year.

That’s bad. Very bad.

Fortunately, Wilhoite is an unrestricted free agent entering 2017. So that should make the 49ers’ decision all the more easy.