Niner Noise
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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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Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Will Redmond (23) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Will Redmond (23) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Comeback Player of the Year — Will Redmond

Some may feel linebacker NaVorro Bowman should get this accolade after 2017, especially after he missed all but four games with a season-ending Achilles injury last year.

But Bowman was playing at a Pro Bowl level before the injury.

Instead, Niner Noise predicts second-year cornerback Will Redmond winds up being the team’s comeback player of the year.

Redmond, of course, missed all of his rookie season while recovering from a collegiate ACL tear. This injury dropped Redmond’s NFL Draft stock down into Round 3, and it could have been much lower had former general manager Trent Baalke not been obsessed with ACL injuries and cornerbacks.

Redmond could have been a fringe first-round target had he not suffered the injury. And even Redmond thinks he’s going to be a steal:

The 49ers will employ a competition between Redmond and K’Waun Williams at nickel corner this season. Neither player played in 2016, so it’s going to be an interesting camp battle to watch.

But let’s give the edge to Redmond, living up to his pre-injury talent, and also predict he takes home the bounce-back award as well.