San Francisco 49ers Preview 2021
Our San Francisco 49ers preview 2021 finds that this team will need to rebound in a major way from last season when they went 6-10. In 2019, just one year prior, the Niners won 13 games and lost three. As a result, they won the Divisional Playoffs and the NFC Championship. However, San Francisco lost Super Bowl LIV to Kansas City 20-31. Prior to the 2019 season, the team had missed the postseason for five straight years. They come to this season with a solid team. However, their quarterback situation is questionable.
49ers Offense
In 2017, Jimmy Garoppolo came to San Francisco from New England. Since leaving the Pats, the quarterback has had numerous health issues. In fact, in four seasons, he’s been healthy for just one. That was in 2019, when he played all 16 games and led the team to the NFC title. In his three other seasons, Garoppolo appeared in a total of 15 games. In this year’s draft, San Francisco chose quarterback Trey Lance (North Dakota State). He appears to be the future signal caller for the Niners. In the interim, it’s hoped that Garoppolo stays healthy and mentors Lance. During the offseason, the Niners fortified the line. Last season, they allowed 39 sacks (T-21st) and gave inadequate support to the 15th-ranked rushing game.
All-Pro tight end George Kittle (48 REC, 634 YDs, 13.2 AVG, 2 TDs) returns after playing just half of last season’s games. San Francisco hopes that young wideouts Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel can step up their games. Rookies Elijah Mitchell and Trey Sermon could both get a shot at running back.
San Francisco 49ers Preview – Defense
While the Niners scored on average 23.5 PPG, they allowed 24.4. Our San Francisco 49ers preview 2021 finds that this season the defensive line and linebacking unit both look promising. End Arik Armstead needs to realize his full potential as an edge rusher. Additionally, if ends Nick Bosa and Dee Ford can come back from last season’s ailments, they will help this line make strides. Second-year tackle Javon Kinlaw is tough and fast. Former Ram Samson Ebukan can be a difference maker.
Last year, MLB Fred Warner led the team with 125 tackles and grabbed two picks. In 2020, he was All-Pro for the first time. This season, OLB Dre Greenlaw may be ready to make the move up to All-Pro. The secondary is without Richard Sherman, which could be problematic. Emmanuel Moseley and K'Waun Williams will likely start for the short run as new talent developes. Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt and free safety Jimmie Ward need to step up. The deep backs are worrisome.
San Francisco 49ers Special Teams
Special teams see kicker Robbie Gould, punter Mitch Wishnowsky, and long snapper Taybor Pepper return. This is a quality, stabilizing trio. The 49ers need an adequate return man. Aiyuk and Elijah Mitchell will try to fill the bill.
San Francisco 49ers Preview 2021 – Final Word
Our San Francisco 49ers preview 2021 notes that the team traded up in the draft from number 12 to three. Thus, the Niners grabbed quarterback Trey Lance, and the rest is history in the making. Lance is a dual-threat talent who should fit nicely into head coach Kyle Shanahan’s creative, hip coaching. In four seasons with SF, Shanahan is 31-36 overall and 2-1 in the postseason. We expect this will be a season of growth and development.
NFC West Summary - San Francisco 49ers 2021:
Fourth Place – Record 8-9
No Postseason Appearance