Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Starting lineup predictions as training camp starts

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Mike Person #78, Kenny Wiggins #65 and Anthony Davis #76 of the San Francisco 49ers participate in drills during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Mike Person #78, Kenny Wiggins #65 and Anthony Davis #76 of the San Francisco 49ers participate in drills during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 23: Punter Bradley Pinion #5 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks the ball away to the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter of a preseason game on August 23, 2015 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won 23-6. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 23: Punter Bradley Pinion #5 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks the ball away to the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter of a preseason game on August 23, 2015 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won 23-6. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Special Teams

Kicker: Robbie Gould

Punter: Bradley Pinion

Long-Snapper: Kyle Nelson

There isn’t much drama associated with special teams, and the three aforementioned names are all but guaranteed starting spots this season.

San Francisco’s only noteworthy change was letting veteran kicker Phil Dawson walk in free agency, signing Robbie Gould as his replacement.

Gould, 34 years old, played in 10 games with the New York Giants a year ago and converted all 10 of his field-goal attempts, along with 87 percent of his extra-point tries. He’ll get the nod, barring injury, although one shouldn’t expect to see too much of him in the preseason.

Punter Bradley Pinion, two years removed from being selected in Round 5 of the 2015 NFL Draft, might actually be in somewhat of a prove-it year, although it’s not a high-flying storyline.

Pinion hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations, casting doubts whether or not letting go of former 49ers punter, Andy Lee, was a good idea.

Nevertheless, Pinion will be starting for San Francisco this season.