Niner Noise
FanSided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 9
Next
Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) reacts after recording a sack against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) reacts after recording a sack against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Disappointing Player in 2017 — Aaron Lynch

In case you missed it, I’m not the biggest fan of EDGE Aaron Lynch. Not anymore at least.

Lynch has been a disappointment ever since his promising 2014 rookie season. Back-to-back six-sack seasons in 2014 and 2015 were followed up by a 1.5 sack campaign last year and rumors of him being overweight entering 2017.

This may not be enough to warrant general manager John Lynch releasing him before the start of the season. But it’s not a good look moving forward either.

Aaron Lynch has already dealt with a four-game suspension and previous weight concerns. And it wouldn’t be a shock if San Francisco’s GM is putting the other Lynch on the hot seat.

The only reason Lynch stays on the roster is because the Niners lack any true options at his position. Lynch figures to compete with Arik Armstead for the LEO position — the right defensive end — in the 49ers defense.

This is reserved for the team’s best pass-rusher, which would have been great if Lynch had continued on his upward trajectory last season.

But he didn’t, and it’s looking more like Armstead is the favorite to land the LEO job anyway.

So Lynch may be on his way out after this season, and that’s going to be a big disappointment for a player who showed so much promise not long ago.