Previewing how the 49ers stack up against the NFC West in 2019
2019 Preview: San Francisco 49ers
2018 Record: 4-12, Third in NFC West
Key Additions:
DE Nick Bosa, Draft
WR Deebo Samuel, Draft
OLB Dee Ford, Trade
LB Kwon Alexander, FA
RB Tevin Coleman, FA
Key Losses:
WR Pierre Garcon
LB Cassius Marsh
Recap:
The moment we’ve all been waiting for! The 49ers addressed key pieces to their team through both free agency and the draft. They didn’t completely reshape their whole team like the Cardinals, but they have definitely made some major improvements.
The additions of Nick Bosa and Dee Ford to the defensive line will allow the 49ers to get after opposing quarterbacks and create opportunities for turnovers.
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The added playmaking depth at wide receiver and running back will give quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo sufficient weapons and allow the 49ers to overcome injuries, should they occur.
Still, none of these additions are as big as getting Garoppolo back from injury. Regardless of opinions on whether or not he is a true franchise quarterback, having him healthy for 16 games will help with the 49ers’ consistency on offense.
The 49ers didn’t really lose any key pieces to their team. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon and linebacker Cassius Marsh both started some games for the Niners in 2018, but their impact should not be too difficult to replace.
2019 Projections:
The best-case scenario would be that Garoppolo proves once and for all that he is the franchise quarterback New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was uneasy to let go of back in 2017. The defensive unit strikes fear in opposing offenses and they improve on their turnover ratio. Shanahan has his full playbook and scheme at his disposal and finally has the talent in place to execute his strategy.
The team rides into the playoffs for the first time in the Shanahan era with a 10-6 record.
Next. 49ers stock report before final roster cuts of 2019. dark
The more realistic outcome is the team is vastly improved in both facets of the game. Garoppolo shows strides of being a great starting quarterback, but needs a few games to knock the rust off.
The playmakers on offense move the ball down the field but they are deprived of a true red-zone threat. The defense is much improved but inexperienced together as a unit. They show flashes but are still a year away from making it into the postseason.
They finish 8-8, but play meaningful games in December for the first time in years.