SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
2024 Record - 6-11-0
Head Coach - Kyle Shanahan
2024 Offensive Rank - (4th overall) - 376 YPG; Passing - 249 YPG (4th), Rushing - 127 YPG (12th); SCORING - 22.9 PPG (13th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (8th overall) - 317 YPG; Passing - 193 YPG (5th), Rushing - 124 YPG (18th); SCORING - 25.6 PPG (27th)
Key Additions for 2025 - Mykel Williams (rookie - Georgia), Mac Jones (QB), Tre Brown (DB), Demarcus Robinson (WR), Jason Pinnock (DB), Nicholas Petit-Frere (OL)
Key Losses for 2025 - Dre Greenlaw (LB), Deebo Samuel (WR), Maliek Collins (DL), Jordan Mason (RB), Aaron Banks (OL), De'Vondre Campbell (LB), Leonard Floyd (DL), Charvarius Ward (DB)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Brock Purdy is back for his fourth NFL season and last year he passed for 3,864 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as well as rushing for 323 yards (4.9 YPC) and he scored five touchdowns. Mac Jones (1,672 passing yards, eight TD, eight INT) came over from Jacksonville and will be the backup. Running backs include Christian McCaffrey, who is coming back from multiple injuries last season. If he's not quite up to his past standards, then Isaac Guerendo (420 rushing yard, 5.0 YPC, four TD), Patrick Taylor, Jr. and rookie Jordan James (Oregon) will be ready to go. The fullback is Kyle Jusczyk. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (25 receptions for 374 yards in seven games) missed most of the 2024 season and along with Jauan Jennings (77, 975, six TD), Demarcus Robinson (31, 505, seven TD with L.A. Rams), Ricky Pearsall, Jr. (31, 400, three TD) and rookie Jordan Watkins (Mississippi) will be looking to bounce back strong. The tight end is George Kittle, who caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight scores last year.
DEFENSE - Edge rusher Nick Bosa (nine QB sacks) leads the way up front along with tackles Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens. Rookie (DE/linebacker) Mykel Williams (Georgia) will be relied on as will Robert Beal, Jr. and Sam Okuayinonu. The linebackers are Luke Gifford, Fred Warner (team high 131 tackles and two interceptions) and Dee Winters. In the secondary are corners Renardo Green and Deommodore Lenoir (85 tackles, two interceptions) and safeties Ji'Ayir Brown and Jason Pinnock. Tre Brown and rookie Upton Stout (Western Kentucky) add depth and should contribute.
OUTLOOK - The 49ers fell off big time in the 2024 season, but a lot of that was because of injuries, which reflected on quarterback Brock Purdy because of his primary target Brandon Aiyuk, who only played in seven games while McCaffrey suited up just four times. In the off-season, Deebo Samuel was dealt to Washington, but flashy WR Demarcus Robinson arrives from the Rams and will be available following a three-game suspension from the NFL.
Coming into 2025, 'Niners Head Coach Kyle Shanahan knows what's in store if too many key players miss playing time again. The L.A. Rams won the NFC West last year and along with Seattle and perhaps an improved looking Arizona team, San Francisco could be in for another dismal year. There are questions regarding overall team health, but this team knows how to win and just two years ago they were in the Super Bowl. Look for Purdy to shine once all the starters are in tow. San Francisco has had many wide receivers nursing some sort of injury throughout the pre-season. Tight End George Kittle will be a primary target once again in the passing game and also look for rookie running back Jordan James to help McCaffrey out with the rushing attack.
The defense went through a lot of changes with people leaving and new players coming on board. Better red zone defense is necessary along with creating more turnovers. The team had just eleven interceptions last year (minus-10 in turnovers) and only 37 sacks. Maintaining health and playing better in divisional games, where the 49ers were 1-5 last year, would go a long way to getting back into the playoffs. It could be a big season or perhaps another dud for the 'Niners this year, but as long as they are intact and can maintain consistent efforts on both sides of the ball, they should be in good shape when January rolls around.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - at Seattle
Week Two - at New Orleans
Week Three - vs. Arizona
Week Four - vs. Jacksonville
Week Five - at L.A. Rams
Week Six - at Tampa Bay
Week Seven - vs. Atlanta
Week Eight - at Houston
Week Nine - at N.Y. Giants
Week Ten - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Eleven - at Arizona
Week Twelve - vs. Carolina
Week Thirteen - at Cleveland
Week Fourteen - BYE
Week Fifteen - vs. Tennessee
Week Sixteen - at Indianapolis
Week Seventeen - vs. Chicago
Week Eighteen - vs. Seattle
No comments:
Post a Comment