It’s not as easy to pick a player after the success they had last season
We highlighted a potential breakout player for the San Francisco 49ers on defense on Thursday. It’s not as easy on the other side of the ball. Not after the season they just had.
There are complaints that George Kittle blocks too much, but he had over 1,000 yards receiving.
Deebo Samuel may not consider it his best season, but his impact on the game was undeniable. He was a force to be reckoned with, with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. His standout performances, like the one against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he looked like one of the best players in the sport, were truly thrilling.
I don’t think there’s an answer when trying to narrow down a potential breakout player on this side of the ball. A wide receiver would make sense for most teams, but the cupboard is stocked. Jauan Jennings enters a contract year once again. In three seasons, Jennings has yet to surpass 450 yards.
Coming off a brilliant playoff run and a clutch Super Bowl performance would lead you to believe he can roll that momentum into 2024— until the Niners drafted two wideouts. Is there room for Jennings to have a more significant role in an offense littered with stars?
Last season was the fewest receptions Jennings had in a season, although I’d argue he was at his best. Jennings averaged the most yards after the catch and saw his average depth of target peak. If he’s on the field all 17 games, 2024 could be a career season.
Elijah Mitchell was a tempting option. Last year, Kyle Shanahan gave Christian McCaffrey the ball seemingly every play for the first month of the season before backing off. Will he attempt to keep CMC fresher this season? McCaffrey called Mitchell “one of the most talented runners I’ve ever seen” after a game to me last year.
In 2022, Mitchell averaged 6.2 yards per carry. Last year, that number dropped to 3.7, but not all carries are created equally. For example, a good chunk of those came at the end of the game when everybody knows you’re trying to run the clock out or in Week 18 behind the second-string offensive line.
The fear would be what it’s always been with Mitchell: Health.
There isn’t an obvious answer, so there’s no need to force one. A rookie breaking out wouldn’t surprise if they were afforded the opportunity. Jacob Cowing has been a big-play threat everywhere he’s been. Now, he comes to an offense that highlights his skill set and will put him in a position to make plays.
If Samuel suffers an injury, Ricky Pearsall slides into the WR2 role, and all of a sudden, his usage goes from being sprinkled into every-down player.
I’ll go with Jennings off his Super Bowl performance. What’s your answer?
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