SAN FRANCISCO

2017 | 6-10, 4th in West Last year in playoffs | 2013

THREE PLAYERS WHO MUST COME THROUGH

QB Jimmy Garoppolo: Is Jimmy G the player 49ers fans think he is? He’s 7-0 as a starter, with two of those wins coming when he was at New England. He’s already in the 49ers’ record books, with more yards passing through his first five starts (1,542) than any quarterback in team history.

DL DeForest Buckner: Buckner didn’t have big sack numbers last season but created a lot of chaos and pressure. In 2016, as a rookie, he was one of nine players with six or more sacks and two or more fumble recoveries.

RB Jerick McKinnon: The 49ers are paying him big bucks to be the No. 1 back, as he’s replacing Carlos Hyde as the starter. McKinnon stepped in ably for the injured Dalvin Cook in Minnesota last season. THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH CB Ahkello Witherspoon: Richard Sherman is going to be in the spotlight, with everyone checking out how he has recovered from his torn Achilles tendon. But just as important is Witherspoon buttoning down the opposite corner.

FS Adrian Colbert: Colbert, who filled in for an injured Jimmie Ward last season, has excellent range and is a big hitter. He’s pivotal to the 49ers secondary.

TE Garrett Celek: The brother of former Philadelphia tight end Brent Celek, Garrett is making a name for himself. A good blocker who has made some great catches at camp and, though undrafted, has survived four head coaches. FANTASY SLEEPER WR Marquise Goodwin: Arguably the fastest player in the NFL, Goodwin has a career year last season, and Kyle Shanahan is going to find creative ways to use his fleet feet.