The San Francisco 49ers are looking to be on the rise once again. After having their 2018 season derailed because of significant injuries, they're seeking to complete the rebuild in the 2019 NFL season that's been happening since the start of the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch regime in 2017.
It's going to be a difficult climb back with all of the questions surrounding the team. From using the same secondary that only came away with two interceptions last season, to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo attempting his second try at being a full time starter, there's a lot that the 49ers need to do to show that they're ready to take that next step.
The San Francisco 49ers need to go above the expectations of what the media is giving them. And, most importantly, the expectations that they have for themselves.
Here are five bold predictions for the 2019 NFL Season for the San Francisco 49ers.
1. Either QB Nick Mullens or CJ Beathard will be Traded
Head coach Kyle Shanahan says he wants to keep three quarterbacks on the roster. Preferably, it would be franchise QB, Jimmy Garoppolo and his two backups from last season, Mullens and Beathard.
The plan is to hold onto the both of them just in case Garoppolo has another serious injury or if he underperforms. But if the Eastern Illinois product lives up to expectations, then they will likely make one of the two backups available.
They each have respectable numbers between the two of them, and they plenty of starting experience. Either of the two would be welcome additions to another team that would be in need of their talents. But it's a matter of who the San Francisco 49ers want to give up.
Mullens would give the team more value in return for him being sent out so it would likely be him. But the assistance he would bring in relief of a possible absence of the 49ers starter would be better if the team had Mullens instead from what the team has seen from him last year.
It would be hard to see Shanahan giving up Beathard becasue of the Iowa product being handpicked by the 49ers head coach. Plus the experience Beathard has in Shanahan's system would be helpful. But the favoritism might be going away with Shanahan as Beathard will likely start the season as the number three guy on the depth chart.
2. The Pass Rush will be in the Top 10 in Sacks
The 49ers front seven is a stacked unit to say the least. After the offseason acquisitions of edge rushers Dee Ford and rookie Nick Bosa, this pass rush is going to be causing a lot of pressure to the quarterback.
With the inclusion of DeForest Buckner after a 12-sack 2018 season, and an improved Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead, this squad will cause havoc to opposing backfields. And with all of that talent upfront, it's going to mean a serious improvement in the sack total.
Last year, the San Francisco 49ers were tied at 22nd with 37 sacks. But outside of Buckner's performance there wasn't much help outside of him with the second-most coming at 5.5 by both Cassius Marsh and Ronald Blair. Now with the improvements made and additions, this unit will be a top 10 sacking unit.
3. Tevin Coleman will be the Leading Running Back
It makes sense that the newly-signed back, Tevin Coleman, will be the leader with his extensive knowledge of the Shanahan system. Not to mention with his his skill set that fits well into the offense and can utilize him as more of a workhorse as he showed last season.
Jerrick McKinnon will likely be utilized more as a receiver in many different packages with his versatility. His play in Minnesota proves that the team can trust him as a security blanket. But his injury will keep the team wary of giving him the ball on a consistent workload.
Matt Breida is also an interesting option as well. However, his constant state of getting hurt is something that kept him from getting to his full potential. If given just another 37 carries he would've reached the 1,000-yard mark.
Coleman is a reliable and consistent option that bolster the offense with his expertise in the outside zone running scheme.
4. LB Dre Greenlaw Becomes the New Darius Leonard
Last season, the Indianapolis Colts got a draft steal in 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year Darius Leonard. He dominated and significantly improved the Colts defense with his play and earned an All-Pro selection after recording a league-leading 163 total tackles (111 solo). He added four forced fumbles, two recoveries, 12 tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits, seven sacks, eight passes deflected, and two interceptions.
#49ers released Malcolm Smith, likely allowing rookie Dre Greenlaw to start at Sam linebacker.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) August 27, 2019
Greenlaw has the ability to produce right away and assume to the role of defensive steal from the 2019 draft. And with the fact that the San Francisco 49ers have released Malcolm Smith and now Greenlaw will have a chance to showcase his talents, fans can expect a lot from the former Razorback.
He's an upgrade over the Super Bowl XLVIII MVP and provides them a much needed addition to the youth movement on defense. He's already turning heads with his play in preseason, and should continue it into the regular season.
5. Three Receivers will have at Least 800 Receiving Yards Each
With the talent that's on this offense, it's going to be difficult for opposing pass defenses to stop all of the options the 49ers have at their disposal. From the Olympic athlete Marquise Goodwin as a deep threat option to the record-breaking tight end George Kittle, there are too many options to dominate in the passing game. Add in the the rookies Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd as well as second-year deep threat Dante Pettis, the sky is the limit for Jimmy Garoppolo.
It's not certain which three are going to take over and get thse marks. But Kittle is a likely favorite in the group with him being a threat to take a catch the distance anytime with his size and speed.
George Kittle CRUSHED the PFF record for yards after the catch from a tight end this season! pic.twitter.com/8yECHKmaZO
— PFF (@PFF) January 4, 2019
Goodwin nearly got to 1,000 receiving yards in his first season in Shanahan's system in San Francisco. And he can do that with his production spike when Garoppolo is in the game.
Pettis achieved a serious spike in the final weeks of last season that can likely continue into 2019. He made up nearly 80 percent of the 467 receiving yards he came away with in his rookie year.
Hurd shined in the first preseason game when he came away with two receiving touchdowns. And Samuel has produced big numbers in all three of San Francisco's exhibition games.
They're all capable of producing big numbers. And it's going to be very exciting to see what these receivers will do in 2019.
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