The all-important 2019 season seems to become more vital as the team grinds through training camp. Once tempered expectations have begun to swell and the pressure to get back to the postseason is mounting.
Fortunately for the 49ers they’re three years into a rebuild under head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. That means they’ve accumulated enough talent that a playoff run isn’t an entirely inconceivable notion.
Who the 49ers will lean heavily on remains to be seen, but we hashed out some preseason superlatives that act partially as a prediction, and partially as a blueprint for San Francisco’s return to the playoffs:
Rookie of the Year
Nick Bosa
It has to be the No. 2 overall pick given how well he’s played in training camp. The 49ers have a few draft picks this year who could wind up making a big impact, but Bosa has the potential to put the biggest imprint on the team. He’s poised to step in and post something close to double-digit sacks in Year 1 and be a major factor in a defensive renaissance for the 49ers. As long as he stays healthy, that is.
Comeback kid
Jimmy Garoppolo
There are several candidates here since the 49ers have so many players returning from major injuries. Garoppolo is going to have plenty of opportunities that players like Kwon Alexander, Jason Verrett and Jerick McKinnon may not get. He’s also getting the most work in training camp, so he’s poised to step in and be effective right away.
Breakout player
Dante Pettis
Pettis had a mini-breakout near the end of last season once he got fully healthy and comfortable in the offense. This year he should be in a position to hit the ground running. He may never put up top-five receiver numbers, but Pettis has all the tools to be extremely effective in the 49ers’ offense. His production should be among the best of all the team’s pass catchers.
Bounce-back player
Trent Taylor
A strong rookie season made Taylor a breakout candidate last year. Offseason back surgery limited him physically though and he saw a significant drop off in production. Taylor’s had a very good training camp and looks primed to be a go-to slot receiver for Garoppolo. He may not get a ton of volume just because of the personnel groupings head coach Kyle Shanahan prefers, but he should make the most of his opportunities and build off that good rookie campaign.
Under-the-radar star
Fred Warner
It’s easy to forget about the 49ers linebackers with all the talent they have on the defensive line. Warner was very good as a rookie last season though and should benefit from an even better defensive front this year. He also has improved talent next to him with Kwon Alexander, which should take some of the playmaking onus off of the former third-round pick. Warner needs to improve his tackling some, but his coverage skills make him an asset that could quietly drive the 49ers defense this season.
Most important player
Jimmy Garoppolo
This is an easy choice. The 49ers season effectively ended when Garoppolo went down last season. With just eight starts under his belt with the team, the jury is still out on exactly how good Garoppolo can be in Shanahan’s offense. It’s a small win if he can stay healthy for 16 games. From there the 49ers’ success in 2019 rides on the right arm of their franchise quarterback. They’re a playoff team if he’s the player they got at the end of 2017. They’re back to the drawing board if he’s the player they got to start 2018.
