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5 reasons Chip Kelly can work with the 49ers

By Nathaniel Reeves

Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Josh Doctson (9) during the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Josh Doctson (9) during the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

A high draft pick to kick off a rebuild 

While Kelly could help the 49ers be more competitive this upcoming season, he enters a definite rebuilding situation. The roster has simply lost too much talent recently, and San Francisco is realistically another year or two away from being a threat in a brutal NFC West division.

Fortunately for the 49ers, they have a chance to accelerate that rebuild with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Much like Kelly’s first year in Philadelphia, he will have a chance to grab an impact young player who can help right away with that pick.

While the personnel moves under Kelly were very hit and miss, he did some good work in the draft and with young players in Philadelphia. The Eagles grabbed Lane Johnson and Zach Ertz in 2013, and later went on to add solid draft picks like Jordan Hicks.

San Francisco has a number of routes it can go with that No. 7 overall pick. The 49ers have a number of weaknesses to address, including both lines and wide receiver.

Receiver could be the most interesting position for San Francisco at that point. Both Laquon Treadwell and Josh Doctson could still be on the board at No. 7 and either would be a tempting pick.

Adding an instant-impact playmaker like Treadwell or Doctson could pay huge dividends for the 49ers under Kelly. The team could also take a quarterback should it move on from Kaepernick, but that seems less likely with Kelly around and little depth in the draft class after Jared Goff.

Next: He won't be in charge of personnel

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