San Francisco 49ers: 3 players who’ll break out in 2020
By Peter Panacy
Expect these three 49ers to break out in a big way this upcoming 2020 NFL season.
A lot of things went right for the San Francisco 49ers in 2019, and head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad rode that momentum all the way to Super Bowl LIV.
The Niners received career-best years from defensive tackle Arik Armstead and safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt, to name a few. And while San Francisco had to turn over a portion of its roster during the offseason, namely parting ways with defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, along with bidding farewell to now-retired left tackle Joe Staley, the team is still mostly intact for what looks to be another promising run to the Super Bowl.
Yet one of the reasons why the 49ers were Super Bowl-bound a year ago was because of breakout performances and upstarts. Those are the key storylines needed for a team to finish 13-3 with the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Needless to say, the Niners will wand even more of those kinds of performances from this year’s squad.
So, who will those standout candidates be?
There’s no reason to assume All-Pro tight end George Kittle will break out. Let’s face it, he already has and then some. Same goes with 2019 rookie EDGE Nick Bosa, who earned Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. Both players could be better in 2020, of course. But they’re already household names at this point in their respective careers.
Who are the next breakout candidates for San Francisco?
Niner Noise identifies three players who’ll wind up getting their names in headlines this upcoming season.