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3 reasons to be excited about 49ers’ Dante Pettis in 2019

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field after injuring his knee during their NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field after injuring his knee during their NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers watches as the ball bounces after an incomplete pass in the second half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers watches as the ball bounces after an incomplete pass in the second half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

No. 2: A Full Year to Acclimate to the NFL Level

Former 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh used to stress players make their biggest leaps, performance wise, between years one and two.

Considering how well Dante Pettis finished his rookie season, one might suspect he’ll have that big leap in 2019.

Pettis’ footwork and route running were already exceptional coming out of college. And despite the lowish stat totals overall, he was able to flash those talents his rookie season. Just check out the video, as Pettis (lined up at the bottom of the screen) manages to elude his defender quickly and get open for a touchdown:

Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense is predicated on separation and route running. Pettis has already demonstrated he can do this.

But the offense is also highly intricate, requiring players to know and understand a complex system of play calls and routes. When it’s firing on all cylinders, it’s one of the most difficult schemes to stop, defensively.

If there was a knock against Pettis last season, it was his 195-pound frame wasn’t solid enough to withstand NFL-level press coverage.

Pettis revealed he added weight during the offseason. As long as that doesn’t hinder his already-proven abilities, Pettis’ bulked strength should only serve to improve his potency.