Who’s primed for a Break-out Season?
By Avo Arikian

Before the 49ers roster starts changing dramatically in the coming weeks and months, it’s good to take a look at some of the guys who are currently on the team that are the most likely to have much-improved seasons next year. Here’s the top five:

1) Brandon Lloyd, WR
I’m going to assume he’ll be back under a one-year tender. With unrestricted free agency at the end of the tunnel, expect Lloyd to do everything within his ability to bust out and have a huge year. Besides that, though, Lloyd has made consistent strides each year, despite playing in rocky situations at best. You don’t have to like his game, but you do have to agree he could very well go for 1000 yards and 8-10 touchdowns if things fall into place. And that’s why this team can’t afford to lose him – not until it can find something better, at least.

2) Shawntae Spencer, CB
Spencer quietly had a much improved season last year. He had his rough moments, no doubt, but even without a lot of pass rush and safety help, Spencer showed flashes of ability no other Niner CB has shown in years. Two of his interceptions were clutch ones in the end zone. Another helped seal a win against Tampa Bay. And he was able to take his interception against Tennessee to the house on a 61-yard return, which dropped the jaws of most fans. His 15 pass deflections were among the tops in the league. If Spencer gets a little help from his pass rush and works on dealing with the deep ball, he has scary potential.

3) Frank Gore, RB
If he stays healthy, there’s no telling what Gore can do once the team gets some semblance of an offense around him. With almost no passing game to speak of, and without huge running lanes most of the time, he managed to put up 4.8 yards per carry, something no other rookie back with over 100 carries was able to do. Truthfully, Gore would be the #1 guy on this list were it not for the questions about his durability. He’s simply a speedy 210 pound bowling ball with excellent vision. The ACLs look alright. Keep those shoulders healthy and you’ll be the man, Frank.

4) Justin Smiley / David Baas / Adam Snyder, OL
Yeah, I just lumped three players into one group. But I really feel they’re all poised to take their place as very solid starters along the line. Smiley showed more and more ability as the season went along and certainly wasn’t the liability he was in his rookie year. He has a chance to be a very good left guard should he continue to improve at that pace. David Baas took quite awhile getting adjusted, but was pancaking defenders by the end of the season, and will be an absolute bull when he fully understands his role. The offense finally looked decent again later on in the season when Adam Snyder settled in as the left tackle, and he’ll be a solid, hard-nosed player somewhere else along the line this season.

5) Arnaz Battle, WR
Battle didn’t have the year the team hoped he would, but they did see enough in him to extend his contract and secure his place with the team. Battle’s in a very similar situation to Gore, where he just has to stay healthy enough to remain on the field. He morphed into an extremely tough possession receiver this season, very much in the mold of Hines Ward. However, he has some run after the catch ability that the team needs to take advantage of. He showed plenty of it in the couple years prior, but was mostly getting hit as soon as he caught the ball this year. If he can stay healthy and Norv Turner gets him the ball in favorable situations (including gadget plays), Battle will be one of the more valuable players on the team.