DraftKings has the over/under of regular-season wins at 10 games for the San Francisco 49ers. Only five teams had a higher over/under. They are the Buffalo Bills (11.5), Green Bay Packers (11), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11.5), Los Angeles Rams (10.5), and Kansas City Chiefs (10.5).
If Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski were to bet on Kyle Shanahan's squad, he would take the over, believing the 49ers are perfectly capable of exceeding oddsmakers' expectations. Of course, much of that depends on quarterback Trey Lance, who most expect to take over as the starting quarterback, replacing Jimmy Garoppolo. Sobleski names Lance's potential to flourish in his second NFL season as the biggest factor impacting the 49ers' season.
There are other factors, though.
"Deebo Samuel's contract status/pending trade request, Alex Mack's retirement, and Nick Bosa being nearly two years removed from ACL surgery are all subplots worth monitoring as well," wrote Sobleski. "But nothing is going to affect the 49ers more than Lance's development."
Coaches and players have consistently praised the 22-year-old quarterback and believe he is ready to lead the offense in 2022.
"I can continue to sit here and tell you how great of a person and player that he is," star linebacker Fred Warner said this week. "I've already spoken on that. But whatever it may be, I know that he is, for sure, if given the reins, that he's ready for it. He's very professional, and mature, and ready for whatever he is given."
Sobleski points to Lance's youth and inexperience as potential speed bumps on the path to sucsess. The quarterback started just two games last season and threw only 71 pass attempts during his entire rookie campaign. He spent most of the season as Garoppolo's backup, learning from the 30-year-old veteran.
The Bleacher Report analyst believes Lance's potential will elevate the 49ers offense in 2022 and beyond.
"Lance's natural abilities will help expand Shanahan's playbook," Sobleski adds. "His athleticism and explosive arm talent should make one of the league's best-designed systems even more dynamic. Considering the 49ers won 10 games with Garoppolo behind center last season, a better playmaker at the position could result in an even better performance."
H/t to Rohan Chakravarthi for the find.