Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 players poised for breakouts in 2019

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Fred Warner #48 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Fred Warner #48 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

While the San Francisco 49ers went through many frustrations in 2018, this year is shaping up for some likely breakouts from key players on the roster. Here are five who’ll shine in 2019.

Perhaps the San Francisco 49ers‘ only real feel-good story from 2018 was the emergence of second-year pro tight end George Kittle, who set a new record for most single-season receiving yards at the position with 1,377.

Other than that, though, the Niners’ campaign last year was marred more by injuries, regression and yet another sub-.500 campaign.

Let’s hope that changes in 2019.

Kittle’s breakout year is a start for a roster comprised of many a young player. With a better health record and some luck, others should be poised to have their own breakout seasons this year. Whether they play on the offensive or defensive side of the ball, let’s take a look at five players who are poised to break out in 2019 and why.

Starting off with an up-and-coming linebacker.

No. 5: Linebacker Fred Warner

The 49ers did right to select former BYU linebacker Fred Warner in the 2018 NFL Draft, especially with what transpired with former Niners backer Reuben Foster.

Warner had his rough bouts his rookie season, sure, which included a team-high 16 missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus. And he also went through a rough patch over the first half of last season, which included an awfully low 29.2 PFF game grade against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7.

Yet Warner’s play improved well enough as the season drew on, especially as he grew more comfortable handling the play-calling MIKE duties amid the defense’s interior. And that helped him lead San Francisco’s defense with 124 tackles on the year.

His job should be made easier with the addition of veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander, who will likely take a lot of pressure off Warner from being forced to perform a lot of “clean-up” duties at the second level of the defense.

This, in turn, should prompt Warner to turn on some of his natural playmaking abilities. And that will allow the second-year pro to thrive this season.