The 2020 season is an important turning point for the 49ers in their quest for an extended championship window. Perhaps no player is more important to their success in the short and long term than quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
He went 13-3 in his first full season as a starter, but he won’t be able to repeat that success on his own.
Here are six players that need to step up in 2020 to help Garoppolo take a step forward:
WR Dante Pettis
Pettis’ rocky second season held the 49ers’ passing attack back some. It took off when Emmanuel Sanders arrived via a midseason trade, but Garoppolo finished the season throwing to effectively the same three receivers each game. Pettis showed the ability to be a threat at all three levels during his rookie season, and he’ll need to step into a more prominent role in 2020 to help pick up some of the slack after Sanders’ departure in the offseason. He doesn’t have to be a No. 1 or even a No. 2 receiver, but he has to earn more than 24 targets.
Whoever starts at RG
Continuity has been key for the 49ers’ offensive front over the last two seasons. Mike Person’s release opened a spot on the interior of the offensive line, and filling that vacancy is one of the most important steps toward Garoppolo’s improvement. They have to keep him upright and limit interior pressure. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones singlehandedly took over Super Bowl LIV with a couple of batted passes. Whoever winds up earning the starting right guard job will be tasked with slowing down interior rushers like Jones and giving Garoppolo throwing lanes over the middle.
WR Kendrick Bourne
Bourne took steps forward in 2018 and 2019, and now he enters 2020 in a unique position. He’ll likely enter the year as the No. 2 wide receiver. He caught 30 balls and turned 23 of them into first downs or touchdowns a season ago, but now it’s time for him to earn more than 44 targets. Bourne needs to find targets more consistently in an offense searching for playmakers beyond Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. If he has the same efficiency on 65-plus targets, Bourne will be a major factor for the offense.
RB Tevin Coleman
There’s a productive role for Coleman in the 49ers’ offense, and he’s probably their best pass-catching back. Last year he disappeared for the last half of the season though. Over the final nine games he averaged just 3.21 yards per carry on 66 attempts. His receiving production essentially disappeared the final five contests, too. He had two receptions for 16 yards in the last five weeks. Having a reliable check down option is vital for Garoppolo, and Coleman is his best one. A consistent year from him makes life much easier for the 49ers’ quarterback.
LT Trent Williams
Joe Staley’s retirement opened a second starting job on the 49ers’ offensive line. They quickly filled that vacancy with Williams – a seven-time Pro Bowler. He also hasn’t played since 2018 after a holdout and a stint on the non-football injury list. He should be able to step in and protect Garoppolo’s blind side effectively right away, but his long absence makes him a question mark. He’ll need to reach his 2018 form again quickly to ensure the quarterback stays standing.
WR Trent Taylor
Taylor was on his way to being one of the 49ers’ leading receivers last year before a foot injury at the start of the preseason wound up lingering all year and forcing him to miss the season. He should be healthy for 2020 though, and he could be a popular target early for Garoppolo. The shifty slot receiver is very good at getting open in tight spaces, and Garoppolo isn’t afraid to fit throws into tight windows over the middle. Taylor is going to be a factor as long as he’s on the field, and he needs to have his best season as a pro to help his quarterback take a step forward in 2020.
