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.
