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The "Stick to Football" podcast featuring Matt Miller, Connor Rogers, and Mello Miller of Bleacher Report wrapped up its division-by-division NFL preview this week and saved the best for last — the NFC West. Or, at least, the division in which you are probably most interested.
Matt Miller is a San Francisco 49ers fan so making him wait until the last show to discuss the team he grew up loving had to be a test. But the show is live, and Miller finally got to discuss the Niners as the team heads into Year 3 under head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
"This is my squad, and I have no idea what to expect this year because there are so many new pieces here," Miller said. "Jimmy Garoppolo, coming back off injury.
Nick Bosa, drafted, coming back off injury. Kwon Alexander, coming back off injury. You trade for Dee Ford, hope to God he can stay onsides when it's a pivotal moment in the game.
"You add Deebo (Samuel). You add Jalen Hurd. If you just looked at this roster, you would say, 'Oh my God, this could be one of the best teams in football. You really just need someone to step up at that second corner spot. You need Jaquiski Tartt to stay healthy at strong safety. This could be a very good team."
Each of the podcast hosts named his respective breakout players on the 49ers roster.
Matt Miller went with the team's starting quarterback, Jimmy "Prince Aladdin" Garoppolo (you have to listen to the podcast to get that reference). He finished 2017 reeling off five straight victories to end the season and then got paid like an elite NFL signal-caller. Garoppolo struggled a bit last year before a torn ACL ended his season.
"He threw five touchdowns, three interceptions, and I think right now, that's the knock on Jimmy," Miller said. "He throws too many picks, but I believe in Kyle Shanahan. I believe in Jimmy Garoppolo, and I think they are building a team around him that can really bring out what he does well."
Mello Miller went with second-year wide receiver Dante Pettis as his breakout player.
"He's going to be very good," he said. "I love his athleticism. He averaged 17 yards a catch last year. Very good player; very young. I like what he can do in this 49ers offense."
Rogers went with a different wide receiver, veteran Marquise Goodwin, as his breakout player. He acknowledges that Goodwin isn't a player who will catch 70 footballs in a season, but the receiver can use his speed to rack up yards when he does haul them in.
Then each host made a record prediction for San Francisco — a team which finished 4-12 last season.
Mello Miller has the 49ers finishing with a 6-10 record but admits the uncertainty surrounding the roster makes it tough to make any predictions. Matt Miller projects an 8-8 record while Rogers also has San Francisco going 6-10.
"There is good talent here," Matt Miller adds. "This team just has to stay healthy, which is something that has been a problem as long as I've been a 49ers fan, which is a really long time. It's always been a problem keeping people healthy.
"I have them at 8-and-8, but I could see this team jumping up, being 10-and-6, 11-and-5, especially if the Rams take a dip like some people are expecting. It's going to be a fascinating year in San Francisco."
The hosts also handed out division awards with each selecting a 49ers player for the best NFC West rookie and another Niner earning the "Most Improved Player" award.
You can listen to the entire podcast episode below. The portion about the 49ers begins at about the 31:50 mark.
(Episode 329) — Al Sacco is joined by ESPN NFL draft analyst and insider Matt Miller to discuss the best prospect fits for the 49ers, his connection to the 49ers, how the 49ers improve their receiver corp, the state of QB play in the NFL, and more.
The audio for the show is embedded above. Remember to subscribe!
You can watch the interview below.
You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast"
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
