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After mounting a run to the NFC title game, the San Francisco 49ers enter the 2022 season with plenty of high expectations to build on their promising campaign.
Unlike last year, 49ers general manager John Lynch did not go all out to bolster the team’s depth on both sides of the ball in the opening months of the offseason. Instead, Lynch looked for low-risk, high-reward moves to fill out the back end of the depth chart, from signing Ray-Ray McCloud in free agency to selecting Drake Jackson in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Even as the 49ers are once again set to feature in arguably the most vaunted division in the NFC, they still have quite a viable chance to pull off a second consecutive trip to the NFC Championship game. For the 49ers to accomplish this feat, they will at the least need to see these three feats come to fruition in the coming season.
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49ers Way Too Early Predictions For The 2022 NFL Season
Drake Jackson emerges as a force in the 49ers' front seven
The 49ers did not enter the 2022 NFL Draft in desperate need of a couple of stout pass rushers, although they did have a few depth matters that had to be shored up. Among the six defensive linemen who logged at least 300 snaps played on defense for the 49ers in the 2021 season, three of them left the team during free agency. For one, Arden Key, who recorded 6.5 sacks last year, opted to join the Jacksonville Jaguars on a one-year deal.
Lynch brought in multiple defensive linemen via the draft and free agency, including Jackson. This came after the versatile lineman bolstered his draft stock in his final campaign at USC, which included recording 5.0 sacks and eight tackles for a loss.
Jackson showed off his stout versatility at the line of scrimmage over the past three years with the Trojans, featuring as a defensive end and outside linebacker. This success for him should carry over into his rookie season in San Francisco. From his quickness off of the line of scrimmage to his ability to veer into the backfield with ease, he should add another dimension to the 49ers’ front seven unit.
More so, as defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans noted in a press conference during the 49ers’ mandatory minicamp, learning from the multiple veteran defensive linemen on the roster should only accelerate Jackson's development.
“He has really great ability and he just has to keep working,” Ryans said.
“He has the ability to get to the quarterback. And if he keeps working, keeps getting in there with [defensive line coach Kris] Kocurek, and learning from Bosa, learning from Arik [Armstead] … just diving in and really detailing out his job, Drake has a chance to be a really good player for us.”
Trey Lance shines in the 49ers' 21 personnel sets
During his one-season run as 49ers offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel heavily relied on 21 personnel, which consists of two running backs, one tight end, and two wide receivers. McDaniel called on 21 personnel for a league-leading 425 total snaps, and it resulted in a 52 percent successful play rate.
Even as McDaniel is no longer in the organization and as Trey Lance is set to soon be handed the keys to be the 49ers’ new starting quarterback, 21 personnel is slated to remain as a staple of the team’s offense. More so, this personnel could help to exploit Lance’s potential to be a passer who can open up the passing game with outside-the-pocket throws.
Whether with formidable passes to Deebo Samuel in the open field or dump-offs to either of the two designated running backs, Lance will have a fair share of options while anchoring the offense in 21 personnel. And with George Kittle also expected to continue to be in the fold in such plays, the former North Dakota State standout will have a go-to target in the middle of the field as well.
Jeff Wilson posts a bounce-back season and leads the team in rushing yards
Over the last five years, the 49ers did not have a player lead the team in rushing yards in back-to-back seasons. This trend should continue in the 2022 campaign, with Jeff Wilson leading their ground game.
A torn meniscus injury sidelined Wilson for eight contests in the 2021 season. When available, Wilson did not exert as much of an impact on offense as he did in the previous year; he ended up posting career lows in both yards per touch (3.8) and rushing yards per attempt (3.7).
With his keen agility in the open field, Wilson not only has what it takes to blossom as a vital talent for the 49ers in the upcoming campaign, but he can also emerge as a reliable target for Lance in the passing game.
