San Francisco 49ers 2016 preview: Chip Kelly doesn't have much talent to work with
It was only February 2013 that the 49ers played in the Super Bowl. It seems like an eternity ago. San Francisco won five games last year under first-year head coach Jim Tomsula, who was then fired. In comes Chip Kelly, who will try to install his high-flying offense with one of the most talent-depleted rosters in the league. Colin Kaepernick remains with the Niners after a complicated will-he-or-won’t-he offseason saga with the Broncos, but Blaine Gabbert has the upper hand in maintaining the starting QB job. There were no major additions via free agency — unless you believe guard Zane Beadles is significant — so the 49ers will approach 2016 as a development year for recently drafted players.
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A starter at right tackle for his first 71 games of his career, Davis abruptly retired before the 2015 season. He rejoined the Niners this year and could factor at either right tackle or guard. San Francisco had one of the worst offensive lines in football last year, so Davis’ return could pay big dividends.
The No. 17 pick of the 2015 draft took a while to adapt to the NFL game, but he came on strong at the end of the season. If his camp performance is any indication, he should overtake his numbers from last year (19 tackles, two sacks) in the first three or four games.
The 49ers let leading receiver Anquan Boldin leave in free agency, didn’t sign an impact free agent at the position and drafted only one wideout — in the sixth round. Someone has to catch passes this season, and McDonald’s chemistry with Gabbert makes him a prime candidate to be the recipient.
Barring some sort of major miracle, the 49ers should be playing from behind quite a bit this season. That's ideal for fantasy purposes as garbage time stats count all the same. Gabbert might not fire you up, but he has shown a tendency to repeatedly target his tight ends. Vance McDonald scored three touchdowns and posted better than 60 receiving yards on three different occasions late last season when both were inserted into the starting lineup. With very little competition on his own team for receptions, the fourth-year tight end should provide strong numbers at a very low draft day price.
(All lines courtesy of Bovada.com, as of 8/31)
Season win total over/under: 5.5 (over +110, under -140)
Odds to win the Super Bowl: 150/1. Unless Chip Kelly is literally a wizard (a trait that he decided to hide for his entire tenure in Philly), this isn't happening. Period.
One thing we wish we could bet on: The Niners leading the NFL in penalties in 2016. A young, inexperienced team that's juggling a quarterback controversy under a new head coach who wants to play up-tempo? It's the perfect recipe for way too many false starts, illegal formations, and defensive penalties committed out of frustration (or just a lack of focus).
September 12, vs. Los Angeles
"Monday Night Football" against the new California rivals to start the season. If the 49ers want to be taken seriously this season, starting the year with a win over their closest competition in the division is where they’ll have to start.
November 6, vs. New Orleans
The game after the bye, this Week 9 matchup could be the scene of major depth chart changes for the Niners, who have a hellish schedule to start the year (at Carolina, at Seattle, Dallas and Arizona in Weeks 2-5.)
January 1, vs. Seattle
The 49ers are incredibly unlikely to make the playoffs, but a Week 17 matchup with the Seahawks could hand Seattle the same playoff-free fate.
We say: 5-11
WhatIfSports simulation says: 4-12
-- Dieter Kurtenbach, D.J. Foster (fantasy), Andrew Lynch (betting)
