Lynch: 49ers a better team than our dismal 2016 record reflects

While most include the San Francisco 49ers in their "Who has the league's worst roster?" debate, new general manager John Lynch evaluates his team in a different light.

The 49ers struggled just as hard trying to find playmakers in 2016 as they did wins and were one of just two teams not to send any players to the 2017 Pro Bowl. Lynch is aware that his team has some hurdles to get over, but believes the group is better than the 2-14 record they posted

"We've got some strides to make on this roster, but I can also tell you (that) I don't look up at the film we've been watching and see a 2-14 team," the 49ers' Lynch told KNBR radio Wednesday, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. "I see some pieces that are hard to build, you know?

"A great example of that, I think, you look at our offensive line and our defensive line. I'm actually excited about those groups. And those groups are where, I believe, football games are won and lost. It starts there."

The 49ers' line play certainly isn't at an elite level, but to Lynch's point, all five of the team's starting offensive linemen will return next season. Defensively, San Francisco should be encouraged that its two most-recent top picks - defensive linemen Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner - developed well throughout the 2016 season.

The biggest task for Lynch - and head coach Kyle Shanahan - in their quest to fix the 49ers will be finding an improvement at quarterback.