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San Francisco 49ers: Breaking down each 2017 scenario for EDGE Aaron Lynch

By Peter Panacy

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) looks on from the sideline during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) looks on from the sideline during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) holds onto his shoe after it came off during action against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Texans defeated the 49ers 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) holds onto his shoe after it came off during action against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Texans defeated the 49ers 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Aaron Lynch has already been the topic of much speculation this offseason, so let’s look at each possible scenario for him in 2017.

The San Francisco 49ers appeared to have struck gold by nabbing former South Florida linebacker Aaron Lynch in Round 5 of the 2014 NFL Draft.

His rookie season resulted in six sacks, followed up by 6.5 the following year.

And yet Lynch’s 2016 campaign was marred by weight questions, a four-game suspension to start the year and injuries to conclude what was otherwise a disappointing campaign.

Lynch posted a mere 1.5 sacks last season for a Niners defense that sorely missed anything resembling an exterior pass rush.

Enter 2017, a new coaching staff and yet another slew of question marks facing Lynch.

Earlier this offseason, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s Grant Cohn reported Lynch showed up to minicamp about 20 pounds overweight. His argument was backed up by this 49ers promo, in which a massive Lynch is seen a few seconds in:

Lynch later said he was weighing in at about 280 pounds, but the team wants him in the 260 range, per Chris Biderman of Niners Wire.

With the Niners installing a 4-3 base defense this season, speculation has ranged from Lynch being the starting LEO defensive end all the way to not making the roster at all.

Let’s look at each scenario and try to predict what ultimately happens with the talented-yet-underachieving pass-rusher.