San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 5 Best Players in 2016
There has not been a lot of good when it comes to the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. With that being said, there are still a few players who have been productive for the Niners this year.
This season has been a rough one to watch for 49ers fans.
The team clearly seems to be tanking in order to secure a top spot in the NFL Draft. Despite the 1-13 record for the 49ers, there have been a few players who have made a positive impact for the team in 2016.
A couple of guys that made this list come as a surprise, considering their performance in previous seasons. These players have provided a positive outlook on what has been a dreadful year in San Francisco.
The 49ers have most of these guys under contract for at least one more year, and the fans can be happy about that as the Niners can acquire players via draft or free agency to build around them.
We will look at who have been the five best players for the Niners this season.
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
No.5: Tight End Vance McDonald
Vance McDonald is one of the guys that comes by surprise. Prior to this season, he only caught 40 passes for 475 yards and three touchdowns.
Before going on the injured reserve with a broken scapula, McDonald was becoming more active in the passing game and a reliable target for quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
I never thought “Vance McDonald” and “reliable target” would ever go in the same sentence.
But McDonald was much improved and impressive this season. He is third on the team in both receptions (24) and yards (391). He also leads all Niners pass-catchers with four touchdowns.
Up until the injury, McDonald was on pace for a career year. His performance in 2016 is a significant reason why he was rewarded a five-year extension that could be up to $35 million.
January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) runs the football during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
No. 4: Defensive Back Jimmie Ward
When the 49ers drafted Jimmie Ward in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, many fans were scratching their head, wondering what exactly general manager Trent Baalke was doing.
Ward has shaped out nicely for the 49ers though and is a playmaker for the defense. Mainly playing the role of a nickel cornerback, Ward has had to match up with some of the top receivers in the league.
He’s done a good job in his role, as he is tied for the team lead in pass breakups with 12 and has one interception. Ward is the only cornerback on the 49ers roster that has registered an interception this year.
Ward is using his versatility and athleticism to his advantage. The role the 49ers are using him in is a perfect fit for his style of play.
Ward has recorded 53 total tackles so far this season, including one sack and a forced fumble.
The growth Ward has displayed the past two seasons leaves the 49ers and their fans confident he will be able to continue to produce for years to come if he can stay healthy.
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) reacts after a catch during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
No. 3: Wide Receiver Jeremy Kerley
Jeremy Kerley is the other guy who is a surprise for the list. Before the season started, very few people knew who he was. That changed when he got to San Francisco.
Kerley got off to hot start in 2016. After being acquired via trade with the Detroit Lions a week before the regular season kicked off, Kerley was an immediate fit for the 49ers offense.
Through the first five weeks of the season, and Blaine Gabbert at quarterback, Kerley caught 26 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns.
Once the Niners made the switch to Colin Kaeperick at the quarterback position, Kerley’s production took a hit. Although Kerley hasn’t been as productive with Kap under center, he is still the teams leading receiver.
Kerley has been one of the few productive players for the 49ers offense this season. He is the one of two wide receivers on the roster who has recorded a 100-yard performance this year.
Kerley is the slot receiver and playmaker the Niners have lacked for some time now.
He leads the team in receptions (53) and receiving yards (544). Kerley has also been targeted a team-high 99 times and has caught three touchdown passes.
December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99) sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
No. 2: Defensive End DeForest Buckner
DeForest Buckner has been a standout player for the 49ers on defense. The rookie defensive end is having a productive first season.
Buckner is third on the 49ers with 69 total tackles so far this season. That is the best on the team for the defensive line, as the next closest is defensive tackle Quinton Dial with 33 total tackles.
The 49ers have had trouble creating pressure off the edge. But Buckner has been able to do just that. He is tied for the team lead in sacks with five on the year. Buckner has recorded two multi-sack games this season.
Most recently in his stellar performance in Week 14 against the New York Jets, he recorded 10 tackles and two sacks.
Buckner leads all rookie defensive linemen in tackles as well. He is also ranked in the top five in sacks among all rookies in the NFL.
Buckner has continued to improve week to week and has been one of the few bright spots on the 49ers defense.
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs the ball for a first down in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
No. 1: Running Back Carlos Hyde
Carlos Hyde is, without a question, the top playmaker on the 49ers roster. He is closing in on his first 1,000-yard rushing season in his career and would be the first 49ers player since Frank Gore to do so.
Hyde has been consistent in production all season and is the key to why the Niners have the fourth-ranked rushing offense in the NFL.
Hyde has rushed for 950 yards and scored six touchdowns on the ground this year. He has also gotten himself more involved in the passing game, as he’s caught his first two career receiving touchdowns in 2016.
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He is one of the only offensive weapons that the 49ers have on their roster. Even with the offensive struggles this year, Hyde has found a way to be productive and provide a spark for the offense.
Hyde posted a career record for rushing yards in a single game this year, with 193 yards against the Jets in Week 14.
This season, Hyde has proved that as long as he can stay healthy, he can and should be the franchises running back of the future.
