San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers: 5 Key Storylines to Watch Down the Stretch of 2016

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers might want to forget the 2016 season ever happened. With four games remaining though, what are some key storylines to focus on as the team gears up for another crucial offseason?

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

2016 has been a lost year for the San Francisco 49ers.

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At 1-11, and riding the franchise’s worst losing streak in history, the Niners have almost nothing left to play for aside from pride.

And yet there are a number of things on the line.

San Francisco’s remaining schedule seems almost pointless right now. Outside of possibly acting as a spoiler, impacting two teams’ — the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks — possible playoff seeding, the 49ers have neither much to gain or little to lose. They’re bad, and everyone knows it.

Still, there are some worthy points to consider down this stretch.

The Niners will be faced with a number of questions this offseason. From the front office down to the 53rd spot on the roster, the organization needs to closely evaluate its decisions once Week 17 is finished.

A lot of the criteria going into those decisions will take place over the remaining four weeks.

So let’s focus on those aspects and look at five key focal points and storylines to watch as San Francisco wraps up what has been an ugly year.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly talks with referees before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: Head Coach Chip Kelly’s Return

General manager Trent Baalke may be on the hot seat. But this roster, for the most part, is what it is over the final games of the season. We know it’s bad. The only question is whether or not it’s been used to the full extent possible.

That issue falls on the shoulders of head coach Chip Kelly.

A 1-11 record should be enough to place any head coach in danger of losing his job. Kelly might have some leeway, considering he already inherited a mess and the Niners probably can’t afford to be searching for their third head coach in as many years.

But that doesn’t mean Kelly is safe either.

Last month, SFGate.com’s Eric Branch reported Kelly hadn’t discussed anything with CEO Jed York about being back in 2017.

This isn’t exactly a condemnation, but there isn’t a ringing endorsement on the table either.

Kelly’s offense being under scrutiny isn’t anything new. And, statistically, the Niners have been about as bad as it gets on both sides of the ball. Outside of the running game, of course.

If the 49ers finish off the year with anything resembling an improvement, that will be a good indication what might happen with Kelly in January.

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: RB Carlos Hyde Cresting the 1,000-Yard Rushing Plateau

Here’s a goal — one which the Niners might achieve.

No. 1 running back Carlos Hyde could break 1,000 rushing yards by season’s end, which would be the first time he’s done so over his three-year career.

Hyde has 686 yards on the ground already and is averaging 68.6 yards per game. This is over 10 contests (Hyde missed two games due to a shoulder injury), so he would need 314 yards spread out over the remaining four contests — an average of 78.5 yards per game.

It’s doable. The only lingering question is whether or not Hyde can stay healthy.

Head coach Chip Kelly’s offense has actually done well with the running game this season. The Niners rank No. 4 in the NFL in rushing this season (1,532 yards), so the former Ohio State product should get his chances.

If so, the feat will be one of the few positives about which the Niners can celebrate. And it will be the first time any 49ers tailback has achieved this mark since former San Francisco great Frank Gore did it back in 2014.

Oct 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3: Development of Young Players

Like in Major League Baseball, once a team goes bottoms up, the focus should shift from older veteran types to more of a youth movement.

San Francisco’s 2016 squad is no stranger to young players. And a good chunk of these guys could wind up being the building blocks over coming seasons.

Seeing how they respond to the adversity of being a 1-11 team is crucial. More importantly, how are their respective developments going? Is anyone distinguishing himself, even if there’s little else to play for but pride?

Which players should we watch?

Well, we can start with rookie defensive end and first-round draft pick DeForest Buckner. He’s improved since earlier this season. And it will be worth watching rookie cornerback Rashard Robinson as well. The same goes for fellow first rounder, offensive guard Joshua Garnett.

Second-year players like safety Jaquiski Tartt and linebacker Eli Harold should garner attention.

Each of these players’ developments will go a long way in determining whether or not they can be key cogs in San Francisco’s future plans.

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) after a game against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2: The Colin Kaepernick Saga

Ah, what happens under center for the 49ers in 2017?

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick isn’t the long-term answer for the Niners. But how quickly will San Francisco look for a replacement and, more specifically, someone who can helm the Niners offense for years down the road.

Maybe that takes place this offseason. Perhaps later.

What we do know is Kaepernick’s four-game hot streak came to a crashing halt in Week 13 against the Chicago Bears. Tack that onto Kap’s reported decision to opt out of his current contract this offseason– a claim he later denied — and one can see how crucial these remaining four games are.

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Relatively strong performances could do two things: convince the Niners he’s worth keeping around next year and increase his value on the free-agent market, should he opt out.

But, if Week 13 is an indication of what to expect going forward, both possibilities dry up in a hurry.

No matter what you think of Kaepernick, this will still be a storyline worth watching.

Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in game action against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Texas A&M won 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1: 2017 NFL Draft Implications

As things stand right now, the 49ers hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and that’s a selection that comes with a lot of value.

The winless Cleveland Browns hold the first pick next year, and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) are at No. 3. This is, of course, if things stand the way they do between now and the end of Week 17.

They may not though. It’s possible the Browns win a couple of games and the Niners lose out. Or, possibly, San Francisco comes away with another victory or two — perhaps over the scuffling New York Jets in Week 14 or the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.

This brings up a worthy question: is it worth tanking to get the better pick?

According to most fans, yes. But there’s a major problem. How?

None of the players want to play poorly or lose — remember, 31 other teams are watching and future contracts are at stake — and poor play also reflects on the coaching staff, who are vying for contracts as well.

Does the coaching staff bench veteran players in favor of depth guys vying to prove themselves? That would put an already talent-strapped roster into even worse shape, but it also sends a clear message about building towards the future as well.

Who knows?

Regardless, how the Niners finish — and, specifically, where they fall in draft order — will be a major topic of discussion between now and January.

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