National Football League

Searching for Positives Amid the 49ers' 2016 Trainwreck

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:00 p.m. ET

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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

The 49ers’ 2016 season is not going to plan but, in a depressing year for the team, we search for some things to be positive about.

After a fourth-quarter collapse in Buffalo, the 49ers are 1-5 having lost five straight and look like one of the worst teams in the league.

There is little for San Francisco fans to hang their hat on at this point in the season, though many would see a disastrous season as a small price to pay should it result in the departure of general manager Trent Baalke and the 49ers receiving a top-five pick in next year’s draft.

This is a team low on talent and low on hope, but here we look at some aspects of the team fans can afford to smile about in what has rapidly developed into a trainwreck of a season.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Hyde and the running game

It has a times been a grind for the 49ers’ most talented skill position player, but Carlos Hyde is still on pace for a career year.

Hyde has 429 yards and six touchdowns through six games, putting him on pace for 1,144 yards and 16 touchdowns – which would be a Niners record – on the ground.

The former Ohio State back is only averaging 3.9 yards a carry, but that is no surprise given he is running behind an offensive line ranked at No. 31 in run blocking in the league by Football Outsiders.

When he has been provided with holes to run through Hyde has shown the combination of burst, power and vision that makes him such a dangerous runner, while also showcasing the foot quickness to bounce runs outside and gain positive yardage on plays where he initially looked to have been bottled up.

But the issue that has consistently dogged Hyde’s NFL career, durability, is again casting a cloud over what has been a positive season for him so far. Chip Kelly described Hyde as “a stretch” to play this Sunday against the Buccaneers after suffering a shoulder injury in the loss to the Bills.

The severity of the injury could impact Hyde’s ability to reach 1,000 yards, potentially take possession of a piece of 49ers history and will raise further doubts over his long-term suitability as San Francisco’s starting running back.

Fans will hope for the best with Hyde’s shoulder but, even with him hurting, they can take some solace in a rushing attack that ranks No. 5 in the league and should continue to put up yardage with Colin Kaepernick providing a threat with his legs.

Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Kerley

Though he actually had his worst game of the season on Sunday – two catches for 12 yards – Jeremy Kerley has been something of a revelation for the 49ers.

Kerley was the favorite target of Blaine Gabbert when he was under center but saw less preferential treatment from Colin Kaepernick, who favored Torrey Smith and Quinton Patton.

Even so Kerley is still on pace for 842 receiving yards having put up 316 yards in the first six games, despite joining San Francisco late in preseason.

Though he has enjoyed success, Kerley will have to adapt to how hard Kaepernick throws the ball after letting two passes slip through his hands against the Bills.

But Kerley has proven himself a dependable slot guy and is still just 27. He has made a big case to remain on the team next year and the Niners will be hoping for more impressive production once he develops a rapport with Kaepernick.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) tries to block a pass by Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner

For all the criticism Baalke has received in recent times, the play of Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner suggests he has hit on his last two first-round picks.

Despite being bothered by a shoulder problem, Armstead has built on his promising rookie season and already has matched his 2015 total of two sacks, making a big impact on Sunday by forcing a Tyrod Taylor fumble that was recovered by Buckner.

Buckner has been one of San Francisco’s best defensive players this season and, having generated consistent penetration in his first four games, returned from a foot injury with a two-sack performance in Buffalo, recording five tackles in total.

Armstead and Buckner have been unable to make an impression in the run game, where the 49ers are giving up a league-high 174.3 yards per game, but they are at least doing what was expected – using their mammoth size to create significant problems for opposing offensive lines in pass protection.

Their contributions would be more noticeable if the 49ers any dangerous edge rushers beyond Aaron Lynch to take advantage of the mismatches Armstead and Buckner create.

But the Niners have two 6’7″ building blocks up front, they just need more talent around them.

Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) is defended by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during a NFL game at Levi

The Cornerbacks

Significant draft capital has been spent on the cornerback position, and it is beginning to bear fruit.

Jimmie Ward enjoyed an excellent bounce-back sophomore season in 2015 and, though he has missed the last three games through injury, his absence has resulted in the emergence of rookie Rashard Robinson.

Robinson exited the loss to the Bills with a concussion but enjoyed another strong day, only giving up 24 receiving yards on three targets – according to Pro Football Focus.

The fact those numbers represent Robinson’s worst game of the season shows just how impressive the former LSU defender’s play has been this year.

In Ward and Robinson, the Niners have two corners who look like long-term starters, which is particularly good news given Tramaine Brock – San Francisco’s most experienced corner – has been inconsistent and appears on the decline.

Keith Reaser filled in well in Robinson’s absence in Buffalo and Dontae Johnson, who has the size and length many teams covet at the position, has been unfortunate not to receive more playing time.

Ward and Robinson give the 49ers plenty of hope for the future at the cornerback and, with rookie Will Redmond available to return from injured reserve in Week 9, this does seem to be a position at which they are blessed with depth.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (4) kicks a 48 yard field goal during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Dawson

When your kicker is one of the main positives you know it’s a bad season.

But Phil Dawson is again proving to be one of the 49ers’ main sources of points this season, kicking seven of his eight attempts in 2016, including three in windy conditions in Buffalo.

Dawson has a decent leg and continues to show himself to be a very accurate kicker.

The 49ers would like more drives to finish in the end zone, but it’s good to know that -even at age the of 41, Dawson remains a reliable kicker who can keep the scoreboard ticking over.

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