Golden Nuggets: Time To Prove

When a team has a losing record such as the 49ers had last season, many players are not guaranteed spots in the upcoming season due to poor performances. The team has 12 draft picks in the upcoming draft and the front office will be looking to shore up spots that underperformed last season.

On the offense side of the ball, there are a couple of players that will have something to prove to get playing time. While Carlos Hyde is as sure of a lock as there is on the team to start, Shaun Draughn proved enough last year to be the 2nd back in Chip Kelly's offense. That leaves last year's rookie Mike Davis and international star Jarryd Hayne with something to prove. Mike Davis never showed much explosiveness in his runs. He did deal with an injury, but it will be interesting to see if Chip sees him as a fit in the offense. Hayne, on the other hand, showed open field ability. Will Chip be able to utilize his open field ability? If any coach could, it probably is Chip.

On the defensive side of the ball, the pass rushers need to step up this season. While Aaron Lynch shined last season, the rest did not. Eli Harold is just coming off his rookie season, Tank Carradine and Corey Lemonier are not. The 49ers ranked 3rd to last in sacks last season, so it's very likely that the team will draft a pass rusher. Carradine and Lemonier will need to start to produce to get playing time. Lynch, Harold, and Ahmad Brooks will probably get the most snaps, so the other 2 will need to start producing quickly or their playing time could diminish entirely.

49ers Links

Ankle Injury Could Affect Draft (Gutierrez)

Still backs his QB | Harbaugh Talks Kap (Barrows)

Broncos, Browns Will Not Talk Kap (Maiocco)

Broncos On Kap Trade Talks (Biderman)

Kelly was always going to be the decision maker | Kap Decision On Kelly (Williams)

Season Ticket Holders Angry About SB (Rosenberg)

Kap Trade Talk Exaggerated (Branch)

Lack Of FA Signings (Lynch)

Goff | Mock Draft 4.0 (Biderman)

Kap-O-Meter (Inman)

Harbaugh Raves About Kap (ESPN.com)

That is a welcome sight | Carlos Hyde Looks Ready (Barrows)

Rule Changes (CSN News Services)

New Rules (Biderman)

7 Rule Changes For 2016 Season (49ers Staff)

Foot Injury Update For Hyde (Biderman)

New Visitors (Barrows)

The team will look to build thru draft | On Slow FA Approach (Biderman)

Jim Still Stands By Kap (McMillen)

It wouldn't be surprising that Anquan is gone | No Offer To Anquan (Maiocco)

Baalke On Trading Kap (Maiocco)

No Contract Talks (Biderman)

Big area of need | Address Pass Rush (Branch)

Trent Speaks About Kap's Situation (Inman)

Welcome Zane | G Beadles Signed (49ers Staff)

Nowhere Near A Trade (Biderman)

5 Things About Beadles (Emerick)

Officially Under Contract (Inman)

Kap Talks Haven't Progressed (Gutierrez)

3 Year Deal For Zane Beadles (Biderman)

Mock Draft (Cohn)

It's going to take time | Draft And Develop Team (Maiocco)

Is he actually coming back? | Trent Talks Anthony Davis (Maiocco)

Boldin's Tenure Over? (Gutierrez)

Downplaying Trade Talk (Florio)

Teammates Training In Florida (Emerick)

Key Updates From NFL Meeting (Price)

Trade Not Close (Wesseling)

More stadium issues | Rent Problems (Favro)

A young secondary will be interesting to see with another year under their belt | CB Situation (Ludlow)

Radio

Why Beadles Signed With 49ers? (49ers Radio)