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San Francisco 49ers: Early 2018 stat predictions for top offensive players

By Jeremy Wohlfart

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass as Zane Beadles #68 blocks Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass as Zane Beadles #68 blocks Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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49ers Jerick McKinnon
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball and stiff arms defender P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

4. Jerick McKinnon

Another tough one to predict.

On the plus side, Jerick McKinnon is a fit in the 49ers system, and he’ll be chomping at the bit to have a chance to be a starter. On the other hand, it could be argued his stats as a runner don’t really give much confidence for him to break out.

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Of course, one could always counter that the Minnesota Vikings never gave him a real chance to break out in the first place.

I’m cautiously optimistic he will have a good, if not great, season running in a system where he’s expected to use his speed and agility, instead of crashing into the trenches like he did as a Viking.

Where I really expect him to excel, though, is as a receiving weapon for Jimmy Garoppolo.

Even if McKinnon doesn’t excel as a runner, the 49ers have the luxury of just elevating Matt Breida to the running role and have McKinnon play third downs.

Averaging 47 receptions in his past two seasons, I actually expect that to rise given the willingness of Garoppolo to throw quickly to his backs and tight ends.

Season Prediction: 225 carries for 1100 yards and five touchdowns, 60 catches for 700 yards and three touchdowns