Niner Noise
FanSided

5 reasons to be excited about the 49ers in 2019

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass and runs for a first down against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass and runs for a first down against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Look for George Kittle and Dante Pettis to Be Stars

Just think, Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle set an NFL record last year, reaching 1,377 receiving yards in 2018, which was the most by any tight end in a single season.

And he did that with only just shy of three games with Jimmy Garoppolo under center.

While opposing defenses will likely try to lock down on Kittle this season, the fact he can impact the game in such a way, regardless who is under center, speaks measures.

Yet Kittle can’t be the lone weapon in the passing game. Thankfully, the 49ers added players like Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd, who’ll help in their rookie seasons. But one should also bank on second-year wide receiver Dante Pettis becoming an even more prolific playmaker over the course of the season.

Pettis got off to a slow start after San Francisco drafted him in Round 2, No. 44 overall, back in 2018. Injuries thwarted his development, yet he finishes his last five games with four touchdowns and an average of 71.8 receiving yards per game.

Extrapolated over a full 16-game season, those numbers would equate to nearly 1,150 yards and 12 touchdowns.

That’s entering wide receiver No. 1 territory.