5 bold predictions for 49ers offense in 2020

No. 2: Jimmy Garoppolo Gets into Top 5 for Passer Rating

Jimmy Garoppolo’s single-season efforts last year went far beyond getting on the 49ers’ all-time list for passing yards.

In addition to hitting that mark, Garoppolo’s 69.1 percent completion rate was tied for fourth among all qualifiers, while his 50 percent completion rate on third-down attempts for a first down led the entire league.

Jimmy G was also tied for first in the league with the most fourth-quarter comebacks last season, while his four game-winning drives also tied for fourth most.

While there are many areas from Garoppolo’s game to criticize, one of the biggest was his knack for tossing interceptions. Last year, he had 13 of these, and his 2.7 interception percentage was tied for seventh highest among all qualifiers last year.

One can only wonder what his 102.0 passer rating would have been if he eliminated at least half of those picks.

Still, that passer rating ended up ranking eighth best on the year, trailing the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes by just over three points. Given a full year to both recover fully from his 2018 ACL tear and to master Kyle Shanahan’s complex offense, it’s not far-fetched to assume Jimmy G winds up moving well beyond that 102.0 mark from a year ago.

And who cares if it’s the system? As long as Garoppolo gets into the top five within this category, this bold prediction will come true.