San Francisco 49ers Preview and Prediction

Team Preview

The San Francisco 49ers only beat one team (Los Angeles Rams) in the 2016-17 season, finishing 2-14 overall. If the 49ers are hoping to make their 2017-18 season a better one, it will come under the direction of new head coach Kyle Shanahan, who most recently helped lead a high-powered Atlanta Falcons' offense to the Super Bowl. General manager John Lynch also joined the organization this past offseason.

During that offseason, the team lost safety Antoine Bethea and linebackers Nick Bellore and Gerald Hodges to free agency. That means the 49ers will be without their top-three leading tacklers from last season as they enter the new campaign.

To replace the trio, San Francisco chose to mainly rebuild the team through the NFL Draft, led by the first round picks of defensive lineman Soloman Thomas and linebacker Reuben Foster. Both will play vital roles on a defense that ranked dead last a year ago in terms of yards allowed per game.

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman hopes to return to form and lead the defense after tearing his ACL for the second time in his career last year. After missing the entire 2014 season, Bowman registered 154 total tackles in a full 16-game slate in 2015. The 49ers could use his leadership with so many young prospects on that side of the ball. Ahmad Brooks joins the linebacker core and provides the unit with a solid pass-rushing threat off the edge.

Thomas is joined on the defensive line by 2016 first-rounder DeForest Buckner, who piled up 73 tackles and six sacks last year. Many expect the young talent to keep improving and he and Thomas should develop into two of the most feared defensive lineman in the league. If healthy, the 49ers front seven could be among the best in the league.

The secondary, on the other hand, may be the weak link. Without Bethea at safety, the 49ers will look to 2013 first-rounder Eric Reid, 2014 first-rounder Jimmie Ward and 2015 second-rounder Jaquiski Tartt to fill the void. Ward moves to safety, where he played at Northern Illinois, after playing cornerback the past couple seasons.

At cornerback, San Francisco hope Dontae Johnson, Rashard Robinson and Keith Reaser can improve while taking on larger roles. Rookie third round pick Ahkello Witherspoon will get plenty of looks in the secondary and could very well be starting in the early stages of the NFL season.

The 49ers' offense was not much better than the defense last year, finishing second worst in total yards.

Colin Kaepernick, responsible for 2,709 of the team's yards, is now replaced by Brian Hoyer, who played for the Chicago Bears last year. Backup Matt Barkley also played for the Bears last year. While either Hoyer or Barkley provide the 49ers with a veteran to set behind center, neither offer much in terms of a future. 2017 third round pick C.J. Beathard fills that slot, but will need a few years before he is ready to take the reins.

The running game will be led by former Ohio State star Carlos Hyde, who has played in just 20 games over the past two seasons. In 13 games last year, Hyde managed 988 rushing yards and six touchdowns while adding three receiving scores. Tim Hightower figures to be the team's backup but rookie Joe Williams could steal away a number of carries.

Pierre Garcon heads the passing game after racking up over 1,000 receiving yards with the Washington Redskins last year. After Garcon, the 49ers lack any proven wideouts. Former Buffalo Bill Marquise Goodwin and Atlanta Falcon Aldrick Robinson should get some looks in the passing game while Jeremy Kerley hopes to build upon a 64-reception, 667-yard campaign. Aaron Burbridge could be a potential breakout candidate given the position's current state. Tight ends Vance McDonald and rookie George Kittle could also carve out nice roles in the passing game should the wide receivers falter.

2017-18 Schedule/Predictions 1 - vs Carolina Panthers (L) 2 - at Seattle Seahawks (L) 3 - vs Los Angeles Rams (W) 4 - at Arizona Cardinals (L) 5 - at Indianapolis Colts (L) 6 - at Washington Redskins (L) 7 - vs Dallas Cowboys (L) 8 - at Philadelphia Eagles (L) 9 - vs Arizona Cardinals (L) 10 - vs New York Giants (L) 11 - BYE 12 - vs Seattle Seahawks (L) 13 - at Chicago Bears (L) 14 - at Houston Texans (L) 15 - vs Tennessee Titans (L) 16 - vs Jacksonville Jaguars (W) 17 - at Los Angeles Rams (L)

Season Record: 2-14, 1-5 NFC West

Coming off a season to forget, don't expect the 49ers to turn things around this season. The team has a lot of questions marks on offense and is unproven on defense. The young defense is something to watch as the season goes on, as that side of the ball will determine when the 49ers can be considered threats in the NFC again. Weeks 12-17 serve as the "easiest" stretch of games, but with three of the five games on the road and one of the home games against the Tennessee Titans, the 49ers may only come out with one win. Look for plenty of youngsters to get opportunities in another rebuilding year for the San Francisco 49ers.

Next NFC Team Up - Chicago Bears

Sources not listed in article: ESPN - stats; Ourlads - depth chart; Playoff Predictors - schedule/record projections.

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