Possible breakout players 2016

It looks like there is a bit of optimism for this roster after all....

Veterans (Seasoned):
Z WR: Anquan Boldin (URFA) - If resigned, it'll be for veteran leadership and he should be moved to the slot almost exclusively at this stage of his career where he could still be very effective.
LT: Joe Staley - May have had one of his best season's last year and has taken Trenton Brown under his wing.
PK: Phil Dawson (URFA) - PK Corey Acosta was signed and the competition is on (for real this time).

Veterans (Cornerstones):
FB: Bruce Miller - Best FB in the game IMHO. Are we going to use him more in the passing game under a new regime?
X WR: Torrey Smith - Fans shouldn't measure his success by just stats; what he does for this entire offense is immeasurable.
MIKE: Navarro Bowman - All-pro first year back? Heart and soul of this team, not just the defense.

QB's:
QB: Blaine Gabbert - Solid, well-round QB who played in a crappy scheme and one lacking in personnel. Between he and Kaepernick, who picks up the offense quicker?
QB: Colin Kaepernick - He'll most likely be here post April 1st and will cost us $11.9M in a cap hit. And as a result, he'll be in a real competition with Blaine Gabbert and most likely, a rookie QB. Clean slate.

Free Agents (Keepers):
LG: Alex Boone (URFA) - Below average to average G in his contract year and right now Tiller is clearly outplaying him. He'll test the FA market, no doubt. Keep your eye on this one. The new HC will surely review his film and help assess his $ value.
NT: Ian Williams (URFA) - An absolute must sign no matter what defensive scheme we decide to run. Expected to sign anywhere from $4-6M per year.
TE: Garrett Celek (URFA) - Another quality sign here. We've been very loyal to him and I think he'll be the same. Quality WCO-type of TE.

Young Core (High-Ceiling Starters or Key Role-Players:
RB1: Carlos Hyde - Top 5 RB no doubt, when healthy.
RB2: DuJuan Harris - This guy looks like the perfect compliment to Hyde and could even take some RB1 snaps.
RB2: Shaun Draughn - A solid well-rounded RB2 and I think he's in competition with Harris now.
RB2/ST: Jarryd Hayne - A better ST coach will most likely use him as a returner in the kickoff and punt return games and a coverage specialist. Potential RB2.
TE: Blake Bell - Has the combination of both McDonald (stud blocking) and Celek (pass catching) but is raw. I could see big leaps next year.
TE: Vance McDonald - IMHO, easily, best blocking TE in the game especially out in space and now he's catching passes? Finished strong in this aspect. Does this mean "arrow up?"
LG: Andrew Tiller - Currently ranked by PFF as the 22nd best G in football. If this guy locks down a G spot and gets to stay there, look out. He genuinely has the potential to be a top 10 G.
C: Daniel Kilgore - Strength has always been an issue and it's more magnified coming off a leg injury but as he gains confidence and with another strength-building off season, he has the chance to be a top 15 C. But do we go power run again or ZBS or both? Either way, he's a really smart, stable C.
RT: Trenton Brown - last count I had was about 160 snaps and he only gave up 1 QB pressure against 3 of the NFL's best (and active) front 7's. Staley sees his talent off the charts and apparently he grew night-and-day from day 1 to the end of the season. That is what you call "arrow up." If he keeps it up, could end up being the steal of the draft.
RDE: Quinton Dial - Very active motor, tons of hustle and heart and played just the RDE for the first time in his career. At worst, he's an excellent short yardage RDE and backup. But with this guys fire, it wouldn't surprise me to see him take another leap forward either.
NT: Mike Purcell - Another PS quality backup find. I see him continue to grow and learn from Williams.
LDE: Arik Armstead - Beaming with potential, year two will be about refining technique and film study to become that every-down LDE.
TED: Gerald Hodges - This guy grew every week and was always #1 or #2 in tackles with Bowman. In Fangio's scheme, he and Bowman would be dominating IMHO. At worst case, he's a very good quality backup.
WILL: Eli Harold - As the year progressed and he got more snaps, I could see him grow in strength and production. Like Dial, this dude is very serious about his game. The scouts said it may take him a year or two to get it all down but once he does, he has the potential to be a stud for us. Watch him closely this off season and for when that light comes on.
SAM: Aaron Lynch - He just needs a dancing partner. Period.
RCB: Kenneth Acker - A very solid zone defender who gave up 2-3 TD's all year. Worst case, he makes for a high quality DIME/NICKEL DB.
RCB: Marcus Cromartie - Best in press coverage and plays with a lot of heart. Scheme is everything for many of these ILB's and DB's.
SLOT (S/CB): Jimmie Ward - Already one of, if not the best slot CB's in the game and we just got a glimpse of his abilities at SS.
LCB: Tramaine Brock - Quietly had a decent year and like Acker, a solid zone defender.
LCB: Dontae Johnson - Like Cromartie, an outstanding press CB. Scheme matters.
FS: Eric Reid - Someone reminded him late last year that he could punch people in the mouth. I think he might be getting back to the player he was when we drafted him.
FS/ST: L.J. McCray - Our coverage units fell to crap once our best gunner went down. Legit backup S as well.
SS: Jaquiski Tartt - Right now, he's best served as the "robber" but the experience he got last year is huge for him. He knows he can play in this league.
LS: Kyle Nelson - Should be here another 20 years. LOL
P: Bradley Pinion - Had a very nice rookie campaign and obviously, he's learned a ton. Consistency will be his focus for 2016.

Young (Need Further Evaluation/Potential Starters):
QB: Dylan Thompson - Can this guy really complete with Blaine and CK under a new coaching regime?
QB: McLeod Bethel-Thompson - Buh-bye.
RB2: Mike Davis - Lacks key vision at times but he looked miles better this last game of the season compared to the pre season.
H-Back: Busta Anderson - Keep your eye on this guy boys and girls!
Z WR (SLOT) : Quinton Patton - Not the sharpest tool in the shed but big time heart and dedication. But he's on the bubble mostly b/c he doesn't fit at any one WR position.
Y WR (SLOT): Bruce Ellington - He seemed to be featured more towards the end of the year and he made plays. He has a chance to stick.
Y WR (SLOT): DeAndrew White - Coaches love this kid but like so many of our UDFA WR's, just needed developmental time.
Z WR: DeAndre Smelter - The Z WR is now one of our biggest needs, if not THE biggest. Is Smelter the guy to compliment T.Smith (X) and Boldin (Y)?
Z WR: Dres Anderson - Terrific route-runner who also needed a year to develop.
C: Ian Silberman - Not a fan unless we stay with the ZBS exclusively.
RG: Marcus Martin - I put Martin down as a player who needs to reviewed as a G. We know him as a C. But at G, he has to think less and can just play. Therefore, he still has a chance to salvage himself as a quality backup IMHO.
RG: Brandon Thomas - Biggest mystery of 2015. Looked good in pre season and then... (sounds of crickets). No denying his potential though.
ELEPHANT: Tank Carradine - Is still about 10+ pounds away from getting down to his ideal weight for the WILL spot. He's either going to be Dan Skuta or Corey Lemonier for us. There is always that outside chance, we move to the 4-3. There is also a chance he becomes an excellent edge-rusher too. Who knows!?
SLOT (S/CB): Keith Reaser - Man, I loved seeing this guy in the slot last game. I think he is perfect for that role. Sticky, lightning quick and even faster, sure-tackler, etc..

Future in Question:
RB: Reggie Bush (URFA) - Buh-bye.
RB: Kendall Gaskins (ERFA) - Buh-bye.
X WR: Jerome Simpson - Buh-bye.
LG: Jordan Devey (ERFA) - Buh-bye.
RT: Erik Pears - Most likely Buh-bye. But he is signed through next year and has played decent at G, which, apparently, was why he was brought in (backup G with some T experience).
RDE: Tony Jerod Eddie (RFA) - He likes to knock down passes but Buh-bye.
LDE: Glenn Dorsey - Cheap veteran who could provide quality depth and leadership/experience.
WILL: Ahmad Brooks - Buh-bye unless he reworks his contract significantly. He could be used to spell Lynch from time to time but he's most likely gone.
WILL/ST: Ray-Ray Armstrong (RFA) - Buh-bye.
TED: Michael Wilhoite (RFA) - Quality proven backup but most likely Buh-bye b/c Baalke will most likely draft a higher-ceiling player at ILB this year.
MIKE: Shayne Skov - Buh-bye.
MIKE/ST: Nick Bellore - Most likely Buh-bye but could be in the hunt for a ST spot again.
SAM: Corey Lemonier - Buh-bye. For real this time.
RCB: Chris Davis - Buh-bye.
SS: Antoine Bethea - Quality veteran backup going forward who will have to restructure to stay.

Practice Squad:
QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson - Buh-bye.
OL Colin Kelly - No clue.
WR DiAndre Campbell - Another Y WR who has some upside and needed time to develop.
TE Jamie Childers - No clue.
DE Kaleb Ramsey - We keep sticking with this guy. There must be a reason.
NT Garrison Smith - Another rising quality NT coming up from the PS like Williams and Purcell before him.
OLB Marcus Rush - Showed a lot last pre season in the pass rush department but like Harold, needed to bulk up, build strength, etc. Keep your eye on him.
CB Kyle Sebetic - No clue.
PK Corey Acosta - He could seriously win the job this year.

Excellent post NC - i didn't want to quote the whole thing. :)

Quinton Patton - He made good plays this year and if Boldin retires or go to the FA he could be our WR2(especially if we don't draft a WR).

Blake Bell - This was only his second season as a TE and he did ok.

Trent Brown - He played well in the last 3 games of the season.

Andrew Tiller - Played well and could get even better with an extra offseason.

Arik Armstead - He played well in limited snaps and he wasn't even here in the offseason.

Gerald Hodges - Didn't played so well this season but maybe he just didn't picked up the scheme.

Eli Harold - He still needs to get stronger but made good plays later this season.

Jaquisk Tartt - Great against the run but sucked in coverage.

Jimmie Ward - He was one of the best S/CB/NB in the 2nd half of the season.

Dontae Johnson - He covered some of the best WRs and may get the full time job next year.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
Excellent post NC - i didn't want to quote the whole thing. :)

And thanks for that. LOL!

This is a tough question to answer without an idea of who our next coach and what system they will bring with them. My heart says "Kaepernick". There is no doubt that 49ers fans love dem some QB controversy. It is almost as good as the soaps on Telemundo. Almost. Kaep has a lot to prove. I think if we are being fair, we can all say the dude works very hard as an athlete and has recognized some of his faults as a pocket passer. I guess the question I have is what is he going to do this offseason? In my mind, he has to get healthy, his head right, and has to see where he fits in with our new coach. Indeed, this might be it for him....

But I want to spin a scenario for you. Tom Coughlin is a disciplinarian. He brings the "whoop", you bring the "ass." Yes, he has softened, but he is still hard as nails. He sits down with Kaep, works with him, and gets him "on the path". Look, I think many will say Harbs was the QB whisper. Perhaps in the sense of developing moxy, but has he really developed his QBs? Look at the growth of Alex Smith after Harbs with Andy Reid. I think Harbs is a good vitamin B shot, but someone like Coughlin could be the guy that brutally runs through the fundamentals with Kaep.



I can just see it now...

Kaep gets sacked. And Coughlin ain't having it.

I think Tartt is going to be a good one.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:

Excellent post NC - i didn't want to quote the whole thing. :)

This. Great post & very good info in there

Deandre Smelter

Originally posted by tohara3:

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
Excellent post NC - i didn't want to quote the whole thing. :)

This. Great post & very good info in there

Thanks fellas. I don't have any thoughts yet on breakout players yet.

I think Dontae Johnson could become a stud. Ward should continue to improve along with Tartt.

Originally posted by pd24:
I think Dontae Johnson could become a stud. Ward should continue to improve along with Tartt.

Great choices.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
Excellent post NC - i didn't want to quote the whole thing. :)

Agree! NC--you have almost 50 players in the retain list and very few questionable guys would be missed much.

Here's my guess as to a much too early depth chart--breakout players in bold (a couple of surprises?):

QB: Gabbert, Kaepernick, Rookie
RB: Hyde, Draughn, Davis, Hayne, Rookie
FB: Miller
TE: Celek, McDonald, Bell, Anderson (HB/FB)
LT: Staley, Boone
LG: Boone, Tiller, Thomas(?)
C: FA, Kilgore, Martin
RG: Kilgore, Martin
RT: Brown, Rookie
WRa: Boldin, Smelter, Ellington, Campbell(?)
WRb: T Smith, Patton, Anderson(?)

NT: Williams, Purcell, FA
DE: Armstead, Dial, FA, Rookie, Jerod-Eddie (many don't like but he's versatile)
OLB: High draft pick, Lynch, Harold, Lemonier, Armstrong, FA?
ILB: Bowman, Hodges, Skov, midround draft pick (not many available higher)
S: Reid, Ward, Tartt, McCray, draft pick, FA?
CBa Acker, Reaser, Davis
CBb: Brock, Johnson, Cromartie

Great post NC.
My 'players to watch' (apart from you know who) are Cromarty and Johnson. I forget which game it was, but those two played like demons. Tartt too is a weapon, he just needs to be aimed correctly.

Our future in the Secondary looks bright is the reacurring thought.