San Francisco 49ers

Predicting the San Francisco 49ers Starting Lineup in 2017

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

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The San Francisco 49ers have to be thinking about the future after a 1-9 season has made this year a lost cause. Niner Noise takes an early stab at what the starting lineup might be in 2017.

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) catches a touchdown as Carolina Panthers cornerback James Bradberry (24) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, it’s already time to start thinking about the future if you’re the San Francisco 49ers.

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At 1-9, this season has gone nowhere fast. And one could make the argument the team has actually regressed under first-year head coach Chip Kelly.

Who knows whether or not Kelly stays into next season. And it’s just as equal a question if general manager Trent Baalke remains at his spot beyond January.

The Niners are a team with far too many questions and too few answers. But the franchise is going to need a substantial amount of help this offseason to improve a talent-lacking roster.

That roster prompts a solid question — how will it look when 2017 rolls around?

We know the Niners have a few pieces with which to work moving forward. That’s a good thing. A number of players will remain in starting roles heading into next season. Others might see their roles increased, as older veterans are either replaced or let go.

So let’s take a look at what San Francisco’s starting lineup will be.

We’ll use a standard base lineup, although we’ll give attention to some nickel/three-wide packages since they are so prevalent in today’s NFL.

Let’s kick this off with special teams.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers punter Bradley Pinion (5) punts 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

Special Teams

Punter Bradley Pinion isn’t going anywhere, so he’s a lock to retain his job next season.

But other positions might garner some attention.

At 41 years old, veteran kicker Phil Dawson might call this season his last. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him call it a career, especially now he’s crested 400 field goals, once this year is through. And he’s only signed through 2016 too.

The 49ers could bring him back, but it seems likelier they’ll look to free agency as an option. An undrafted free agent — where most specialists are found — also seems like a plausible route after the 2017 NFL Draft is complete.

In the return game, San Francisco might count on wide receiver Bruce Ellington to assume his duties if he comes back healthy.

But cornerback JaCorey Shepherd has been doing a great job on kickoff returns, and the same could be said of wideout Jeremy Kerley on punts.

Kerley probably stays into 2017 — we’ll get to that shortly — but Shepherd might be expendable, considering the depth San Francisco has within the secondary. Let’s replace him with Ellington.

Kicker: Free Agent/UDFA

Punter: Bradley Pinion

Punt Returner: Jeremy Kerley

Kick Returner: Bruce Ellington

Next: Safety

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Safety

The 49ers will be without safety Eric Reid (bicep) for the rest of 2016, but expect him to return healthy to start next season.

San Francisco’s remaining question is who starts alongside Reid.

Currently, Antoine Bethea holds down the strong safety spot. And he’s signed through 2017, which would lead us to believe he’ll be on the roster next season, right?

Not so fast. At 32 years old, Bethea is hitting the twilight of his career. The Niners could also save $5.75 million in cap space by releasing him this offseason (although cap space isn’t going to be a concern for San Francisco next year).

Such a move would open up the door for second-year pro Jaquiski Tartt to assume a larger role.

Tartt will be getting plenty of starting reps with Reid out. This will go a long way in determining whether or not the 49ers see the former second-round pick as a viable piece within their secondary.

If he does well enough, Bethea will be out the door.

Free Safety: Eric Reid

Strong Safety: Jaquiski Tartt

Next: Cornerback

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback

The 49ers have two up-and-coming cornerbacks already on their roster, and this position has to be considered one of the few strengths San Francisco has moving into next season.

Don’t expect the Niners to add defensive backs in the NFL Draft this offseason — unless general manager Trent Baalke is still here and does his usual secondary restocking.

There is a bit of a logjam at this position though. We should assume defensive back Jimmie Ward holds down an outside spot in base formations, which is what the Niners have done with him most of the season. And he’ll move to cover the slot in nickel formations as well.

And rookie Rashard Robinson has been a bright spot in an otherwise dismal year.

The big question is what to do with veteran corner Tramaine Brock.

Per Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus, Brock is having a phenomenal year when he’s not getting burned. When he does get beat, it’s bad. But it’s not happening often:

Brock is signed through 2017 on the cheap. So it doesn’t make too much sense to cut him heading into next season. Will he start though.

In nickel packages, yes.

Left Cornerback: Tramaine Brock

Right Cornerback: Rashard Robinson

Nickel Cornerback: Jimmie Ward

Next: Linebacker

December 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) tackles Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Linebacker

If the defensive backfield is one of relative strength for the 49ers, the linebacker position is a glaring weakness.

San Francisco should hopefully get perennial All-Pro NaVorro Bowman (Achilles) back and healthy next year. The Niners will need him.

But who else?

Inside linebacker Gerald Hodges has done an OK job against the run, although he might be a bit of a downgrade from fellow ILB Ray-Ray Armstrong (pectoral), who is out for the year.

Expect linebacker Michael Wilhoite to walk via free agency. And the Niners should cut veteran outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks this offseason, saving $7.8 million in the process.

Armstrong and Hodges are also free agents this offseason. San Francisco might re-sign one of these two as a reserve option. But look for the team to address some needs here in the NFL Draft or free agency.

Note: This prediction assumes the 49ers stay in a base 3-4 formation, which they might be wise to change to a 4-3 in 2017 — another article for another time.

Inside Linebacker: NaVorro Bowman, draftee/free agent

Outside Linebacker: Aaron Lynch, draftee/free agent

Next: Defensive Line

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

Young defensive ends DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead aren’t going anywhere, so they should assume to be starters along the defensive line, if the 49ers maintain a 3-4 defense or switch to a 4-3.

Armstead (shoulder) is out for the season, and the injury likely hampered his less-than-stellar efforts against the run.

Assuming a fully healthy Armstead returns to poise in 2017, he’ll bookend the D-line opposite Buckner. The only question is who occupies the middle.

Veteran defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey has adequately filled this void, taking over for a largely ineffective Mike Purcell. Although the team sure wishes former-49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (ankle) was healthy enough.

Williams could come back, and Dorsey is a free agent next year.

Let’s go with a bolder prediction of the Niners re-signing a (hopefully) healthy Williams to help stop the run.

Meanwhile, defensive tackle Quinton Dial is about as good a reserve option as the team could have.

Defensive Ends: Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner

Defensive Tackle: Ian Williams (Quinton Dial if a 4-3 is introduced)

Next: Offensive Line

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) blocks Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) during the game at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

It might be a good thing the 49ers didn’t trade off veteran left tackle Joe Staley prior to the NFL trade deadline.

Staley might not be the same player he was in years prior, but he’s still the best offensive lineman the Niners have. And protecting a quarterback’s blind side will remain crucial in San Francisco’s development of its next signal-caller (assuming this is the direction the Niners go in 2017).

Left guard Zane Beadles has been a disappointment ever since signing a three-year, $9.75 million contract last offseason. He should be benched for Andrew Tiller, who will be an exclusive-rights free agent in 2017.

The ERFA tag means only the Niners can negotiate with Tiller this offseason. And there’s no reason not to re-sign him at this point.

Center Daniel Kilgore isn’t going anywhere. Neither is right guard Joshua Garnett or right tackle Trent Brown.

So look for a swap from Beadles to Tiller being the only change up front.

Tackles: Joe Staley, Trent Brown

Guards: Andrew Tiller, Joshua Garnett

Center: Daniel Kilgore

Next: Tight End

November 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End

The 49ers locked up No. 2 tight end Garrett Celek last offseason, so he’ll provide an adequate depth piece moving forward.

The remaining question is whether or not the Niners want to do the same with former second-round draft pick Vance McDonald.

Early stages of McDonald’s career were marked by injury and poor pass-catching abilities. He’s seemed to finally put those worries behind him this year, and McDonald is on pace to have a career season in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. He already has four end-zone scores, which is a career high.

San Francisco hasn’t exercised its fifth-year option on McDonald yet, which means the team is likely still in wait-and-see mode.

Considering the plethora of needs the Niners have this offseason, it would make sense to put off any tight end upgrades until 2018 or later. Extending McDonald is probably the best choice at this point in time.

Tight End: Vance McDonald

Next: Wide Receiver

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receiver

While tight end might not be a big worry for San Francisco, wide receiver is.

The only bright spot in 2016 has been trade addition Jeremy Kerley, who still leads the 49ers with 424 receiving yards despite not being a favorite target of quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

He’s a good slot guy, and the Niners might like to keep it that way moving forward. He’s shown a lot more ability and impact than former slot receiver Bruce Ellington ever has. So that’s a small upgrade for San Francisco. Kerley is a free agent in 2017, so San Francisco would have to re-sign him. It’s a smart move to do so.

Barring a trade — which could happen — No. 1 wideout Torrey Smith isn’t going anywhere. So he’ll start and, hopefully, the 49ers can get him more involved.

This still leaves a gaping hole on the other side of the formation. The hopes were that either Quinton Patton or rookie Aaron Burbridge could fill this void. While Patton is having a career-best year, his impact remains minimal. Burbridge is basically a non-factor at this point.

The 49ers need to add another impact wideout via free agency or the NFL Draft. Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery might be the preferred target, but he won’t come cheap.

Yet the Niners don’t have to worry too much about overpaying someone like Jeffery.

Wide Receiver: Torrey Smith, free agent/draft pick

Slot Receiver: Jeremy Kerley

Next: Running Back

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back

The 49ers are fortunate enough to have a featured tailback in Carlos Hyde. The only problem has been keeping him healthy over the course of a full season.

Hyde missed nine games with a foot issue last year. He’s already missed another two this season with a shoulder injury.

Expect the Niners to add some competition this offseason, either via the draft or free agency. Perhaps San Francisco likes what it sees out of journeyman running back DuJuan Harris, and the team makes a move to extend him as a change-of-pace back to spell Hyde in 2017.

But this year’s NFL Draft class is pretty stacked at running back. So it might be wise for the Niners to find a promising up-and-coming runner to back up Hyde and, potentially, emerge as a No. 1 option in the not-so-distant future.

Think what the Arizona Cardinals have been able to do with running back David Johnson.

In the meantime, Hyde starts in 2017.

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback

Ah, the $64 million question… who starts under center for the 49ers in 2017?

Former starter Blaine Gabbert is a free agent next year, and there’s no reason for San Francisco to bring him back. Depth guys Thad Lewis and Christian Ponder are also free agents.

So that leaves Colin Kaepernick as the only option under contract, kind of.

Kaepernick could opt out of his current deal after 2016. Considering how ugly things have been for Kap since 2014, it wouldn’t be a shock at all if he were to take this route. Although it’s worth considering how the quarterback’s efforts have, somewhat, been better the last three games under head coach Chip Kelly.