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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting team player awards for the 2017 season

By Peter Panacy

December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99) sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99) sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Redskins won 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Redskins won 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Improved Unit — Wide Receiver

It would have been easy to predict San Francisco’s linebackers as the most improved group this upcoming season.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

After all, adding standouts like Reuben Foster and pairing him with perennial All-Pro NaVorro Bowman will be a drastic improvement over 2016 starters like Michael Wilhoite and Nick Bellore.

But the wide receivers get our prediction nod for the most improved unit in 2017.

Why? Well, head coach Kyle Shanahan has a knack for scheming his receivers to get open. With a talent-strapped Cleveland Browns team in 2014, then-offensive coordinator Shanahan still managed to get 3,465 receiving yards out of the offense — eighth best in the NFL that year.

And Shanahan’s quarterback? None other than current Niners starter Brian Hoyer.

San Francisco has better talent this year than the Browns did then. Veteran wideouts like Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin are notably better than what the 49ers fielded a year ago. And one should count on last year’s receiving leader, Jeremy Kerley, to continue making strides in Santa Clara.

Shanahan’s creativity on offense will be mostly felt at this position, which is why it gets the nod as our most improved unit in 2017.