Niner Noise
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49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: San Francisco’s offense

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers signalsto his team during their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers signalsto his team during their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Projected 49ers Offensive Impact in 2018

Sure, the concerns are there. But by almost every account, San Francisco’s offense is going to be significantly better in 2018 than it was a year ago.

Think of the factors at play here: Kyle Shanahan, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jerick McKinnon, Pierre Garçon returning, a revamped offensive line and second-year players’ maturation process. And if the trajectory the Falcons enjoyed between 2015 and 2016 is any indicator, the 49ers should be prime candidates for a top-10 offense this season.

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So who will stand out?

Well, Garoppolo, for starters. Pro Football Focus believes he’ll be the next elite quarterback in the NFL, which the data suggests. And if McKinnon can wind up being Shanahan’s next version of Devonta Freeman, why not expect the Niners ground attack to reach new levels in 2018?

Yet the fun players to watch this year are going to be guys like George Kittle and Trent Taylor. Throw in Dante Pettis too, if you’d like. In many cases, a high-octane offense bolsters the numbers and impact of its role players too. All three are candidates for breakout years as well.

Pettis and Mike McGlinchey, San Francisco’s top investments from this year’s NFL Draft, should garner extra attention for the long-term scheme of things. Pettis might wind up being Garçon’s replacement in 2019, as the 49ers command option years on the veteran’s contract after this season. Meanwhile, McGlinchey may easily wind up being Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley‘s long-term replacement too.

For 2018, though, the Niners should enjoy a level of offensive output not seen since the Jim Harbaugh era. And even those numbers could pale in comparison to what Shanahan’s efforts do this season.

Next: Predicting 5 49ers who make the Pro Bowl in 2019

And if that results in a push for the playoffs, nobody would complain.

Nobody.