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San Francisco 49ers: 5 hot takes for the upcoming 2017 season

By Peter Panacy

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick linebacker Reuben Foster answers questions from the media during the press conference at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick linebacker Reuben Foster answers questions from the media during the press conference at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers are likely to struggle in 2017, and this is the common perception. But Niner Noise takes a look at five hot takes for the franchise that may turn some heads this upcoming season.

Hardly anyone is predicting the San Francisco 49ers will be a playoff team in 2017, let alone reach the .500 mark.

OK, so that hot take may be a bit far fetched. The Niners are a long way from contending.

But there are other hot takes and bold predictions worth targeting. Especially for me, considering I hate hot takes and would rather go with an even-keel approach.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Whatever though. Fans like bold predictions, so let’s come up with a few.

In this slideshow, let’s look at five hot takes for the Niners as they look to get the franchise back on track under first-year head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Looking at both offense and defense, and evaluating a number of players as well, these five takes should help set a higher benchmark that merely stating, “let’s see improvement here.”

Of course, the 49ers are in no position to beg for anything greater than mere improvement. The roster remains far from perfect and various units still have to jell.

Some of these takes may be a bit surprising. Others may seem lofty but obtainable, especially if the pieces fall into place for San Francisco.

So let’s jump in and see what bold Niners predictions await and how the team goes about getting there.