What crystal ball foresees for 49ers
Big seasons ahead for Garoppolo, Kittle, Bosa
Before we get to the predictions, let’s begin with the excuses.
For starters, the 49ers had only two offseason practices open to the media, and both were light on 11on11 work. So how is a selfpitying beat writer supposed to properly forecast whether quarterback Trey Lance, the pride of the Missouri Valley Conference, is the future Offensive Rookie of the Year, or an obvious redshirt candidate?
On defense, rehabbing Pro Bowl pass rushers Nick Bosa and Dee Ford weren’t on the field in the spring after they were sidelined in September. Who knows if they are poised to carry the defense during comeback seasons or whether they’ll struggle to return from significant injuries?
And, finally, the 49ers were in the Super Bowl two seasons ago. They were in the NFC West cellar last season. So where will Team All Over the Map finish in 2021?
OK. Have we properly set expectations? Great. With the 49ers reporting to training camp Tuesday, here are The Chronicle’s annual 25 predictions for the season:
1.The 49ers will rank among the NFL’s top 10 in injuredreserve transactions for the fifth straight season. (Have a hunch their fortunes won’t change after last year’s leading rusher, Jeff Wilson, tore a knee ligament in May while walking in the locker room.)
2. Jimmy Garoppolo will keep Lance on the bench while becoming the first 49ers QB to throw for 4,000 yards since Jeff Garcia in 2000. Lance will make one start when Garoppolo is sidelined with a sprained thumb. Lance will complete 15 of 26 passes for 212 yards with a TD and interception, and rush for 43 yards on seven carries in a 2112 win at Chicago. … On second thought, that’s wrong: Garoppolo will be sidelined with bruised ribs.
3. Kyle Shanahan will use Lance’s dualthreat skills in a role reminiscent of how the Saints have employed QB Taysom Hill. Lance will be used primarily as a runner and will have 189 yards on 33 carries with five TDs.
4. Garoppolo’s final numbers: 4,027 yards, 28 TDs, 11 interceptions, 102.1 rating. (Still, a smattering of “Time for Trey!” chants will follow each of Garoppolo’s interceptions at Levi’s Stadium.)
5. Tight end George Kittle will join Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens as the only players in franchise history with a 100catch season. Rice and Owens, noting the 17game regular season, will request that Kittle’s accomplishment come with an asterisk. Kittle’s final numbers: 101 receptions, 1,374 yards, six TDs, five more commercials.
6. The 49ers will have an 116 record and finish in second place in the NFC West, behind the Rams.
7. After beating the Cowboys 2827 in the wildcard round, the 49ers will lose at Green Bay in the divisional playoffs. The Packers will win on a lategame touchdown drive directed by the QB previously called Aaron Rodgers, now referred to as His Royal Highness, a condition of his reworked contract.
8. Wins: at Detroit, at Philadelphia, vs. Green Bay, vs. Seattle, at Chicago, vs. Arizona, at Jacksonville, vs. Minnesota, at Cincinnati, vs. Atlanta, vs. Houston
9. Losses: at Arizona, vs. Indianapolis, vs. Rams, at Seattle, at Tennessee, at Rams
10. Rams QB Matthew Stafford will throw six TD passes in the season sweep of the 49ers.
11. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel will miss multiple games with a hamstring injury.
12. Nate Sudfeld will beat out Josh Rosen for the No. 3 QB spot.
13. Reception totals: Kittle (101), Brandon Aiyuk (82), Samuel (50), Jalen Hurd (38).
14. Rushing totals: Raheem Mostert (847 yards), Trey Sermon (606), Wayne Gallman (426), Elijah Mitchell (229).
15. Bosa will be back in a big way: 13.5 sacks and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
16. Notables who won’t make the 53man roster: wide receiver Travis Benjamin, safety Tony Jefferson, safety Marcell Harris, defensive tackle Kentavius Street, wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
17. Undrafted rookie linebacker Justin Hilliard will make the 53man roster.
18. Best value draft pick: safety Talanoa Hufanga. The fifthround pick will be a specialteams force. And he’ll make it clear he’ll be the starting strong safety in 2022 based on his performance in fillin starts for pending freeagent Jaquiski Tartt.
19. Worst value draft pick: guard Aaron Banks. The secondround selection will beat out Daniel Brunskill to start at right guard, but he will endure an uneven debut season.
20. Best freeagent signing: defensive end Samson Ebukam. Capable pass rushers don’t come cheaply, and the largely unproven Ebukam, signed to a twoyear, $12 million deal in March, will look like a bargain after an 8.5sack season.
21. Worst freeagent signing: linebacker Nathan Gerry. The 49ers waived Gerry in July after signing him in March. … I guess this technically isn’t a prediction, so here’s another: The Texans will stink.
22. Most Surprising Player: wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. Sanu, 31, was released after spending about six minutes with the 49ers last year and has played for four teams in the past two seasons while being dogged by injuries. But he’ll make the 53man roster and have 30 catches for 332 yards and two TDs.
23. Most Disappointing Player: defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. The No. 14 pick in 2020 won’t make a big leap after his 1.5sack rookie season.
24. Comeback Player Who Isn’t Bosa: right tackle Mike McGlinchey. The bulkedup lineman, known as Big Slim last year, will stop getting beaten badly in big moments in pass protection.
25. Kittle, Bosa, left tackle Trent Williams, linebacker Fred Warner and fullback Kyle Juszczyk will be voted to the Pro Bowl.