The 49ers as a whole are expected to dominate the 2024 NFL season.
But how will San Francisco’s many stars fare individually?
ESPN’s Mike Clay recently Statistical projections published for all 32 NFL teams and their players, and here’s what some notable 49ers are supposed to look like next season:
Quarterback Brock Purdy
Clay predicts San Francisco’s star quarterback will experience a slight decline next season.
In 2024, Purdy is projected to total 3,899 passing yards and 24 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. For comparison, the NFL MVP finalist had 4,280 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season.
Purdy has shown no signs of slowing down heading into his third NFL season. However, uncertainty surrounding his top weapon, receiver Brandon Aiyuk, could complicate things for the 24-year-old quarterback.
Running back Christian McCaffrey
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year is expected to be back in the running.
McCaffrey is projected to rush for 1,243 yards and score 12 touchdowns, nearly topping his 1,459-yard campaign from last season. Clay also projects the running back to catch 67 passes for 527 yards and four touchdowns, which isn’t too shabby.
WR and TE George Kittle
The 49ers would love to have Aiyuk on the team next season, and even more so when evaluating their projections for next season.
Aiyuk is projected to catch 75 passes for 1,068 yards. A down year, yes, but it would be his third consecutive 1,000-yard season.
Deebo Samuel is expected to make 62 receptions for 924 yards. In 2023, he had 60 receptions for 892 yards.
Jauan Jennings, who will have 15 receptions for 196 yards and a touchdown, is also projected to be surprisingly outclassed by rookie Ricky Pearsall. Clay has San Francisco’s first-round draft pick, who finished with 29 receptions for 385 yards and three touchdowns. Fellow rookie Jacob Cowing isn’t expected to do much.
Kittle, meanwhile, is primed to have the fifth 800-yard receiving season of his seven-year NFL career, projected at 63 receptions for 846 yards and five touchdowns.
Pass rushers
Clay has defensive back Bosa at 10 sacks in 2024, 0.5 fewer than he had last season. In contrast to Bosa, Floyd is also expected to have a decrease in sacks compared to 2023 (10.5), at 7.5.
On the defensive line, Javon Hargrave is projected to have six sacks. He had seven last season. Maliek Collins is projected to have about four, after having five last season.
The 49ers collectively had 48 sacks in 2023. Clay projects San Francisco will have 43 next season.
Linebackers
Fred Warner is expected to be Fred Warner. He is projected to have a career-high 144 tackles, which will surely earn him AP All-Pro consideration.
De’Vondre Campbell should help Replacing Dre Greenlaw and is projected to make 73 tackles.
In a surprise move, Clay not only has Greenlaw back but he’s also making a solid impact, with the rehabbing veteran projected to make 73 tackles in 509 snaps.
Defensives
Clay has safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Ji’Ayir Brown, who have combined for 183 tackles on 961 snaps each. Hufanaga is also projected to have nearly two interceptions and Brown three.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward is projected to lead the 49ers in snaps at the position (1,004) with 76 tackles. Right behind him is Deommodore Lenoir with 83 tackles on 961 snaps.
Rookie Renardo Green is also expected to reach close to 50 tackles.
K. Jake Moody
Moody is projected to hit 27 of 32 kicks in 2024, or 84 percent. He also hit 84 percent of his kicks last season, which was stressful at times.
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