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Now that the San Francisco 49ers roster has been finalized and the regular season is here, it’s finally time to talk about meaningful football. For what feels like the first time in years, the 49ers have the talent to not only compete but to win.
Most of the media is putting out their NFL awards. We’ll keep it Niners focused, and predict who the teams’ MVP, OPOY, and DPOY. We’ll skip the rookie of the year awards as they better be the Niners first and second-round picks. As for the comeback player of the year, it’s the quarterback. There will be a poll below for each, so voice your opinion. Let’s start with the MVP.
MVP: Dee Ford, DE
In his first season as a 49er, Ford makes his presence felt early and often in 2019. The deal to trade for the former Kansas City Chief looks like a steal by mid-season, as Ford picks up where he left off last season, in the opponents’ backfield. Playing alongside Nick Bosa and DeForest Buckner help inflate Ford’s numbers, but that was the entire point of going to get the speedy edge rusher; because you wanted someone that could bring the quarterback down.
It’s too easy to pick the quarterback here, and he’s not even my pick for offensive player of the year. This season will be the story of the defensive line, and Ford will lead the way.
Poll
Who wins MVP?
This poll is closed
-
12%
Ford
(127 votes) -
49%
Jimmy Garoppolo
(519 votes) -
20%
George Kittle
(217 votes) -
1%
Dante Pettis
(15 votes) -
15%
Other
(167 votes)
Offensive player of the year: Dante Pettis, WR
Kyle Shanahan has exhausted plenty of energy towards Pettis during training camp and the offseason trying to get Pettis to take his game to the next level. The media will talk about the drops and how inconsistent Pettis has been this summer. We never talk about how he’s beating Richard Sherman deep in practice or getting better in general. I’m not buying the negativity surrounding Pettis, and understand the motivational tactic by Shanahan.
I think that Shanahan will go out of his way to get Pettis the ball, and Pettis will reward him. Pettis won’t have a record-breaking season as George Kittle did in 2018, but I do think he’ll be the 49ers go-to target and lead the team in touchdowns. Jimmy Garoppolo will have solid numbers that will likely get him to the Pro Bowl, but Pettis will be the 49ers best offensive player this season.
Poll
Who will be the 49ers OPOY?
This poll is closed
-
25%
Jimmy G
(267 votes) -
3%
Tevin Coleman
(36 votes) -
37%
George Kittle
(391 votes) -
7%
Dante Pettis
(73 votes) -
18%
Deebo Samuel
(186 votes) -
7%
Other
(79 votes)
Defensive player of the year: DeForest Buckner
This may seem like a copout, but forgive me for taking the best player on this side of the ball. Buckner was very good last season with no other reliable pass rusher around him. This year he gets Bosa, Ford, and an improved Solomon Thomas. The threat of one other pass rusher will make Buckner’s life a lot easier, but two? I like the chances of him having another fantastic season. Buckner was left off every top-100 list you can imagine. That won’t be the case after this season.
I was very close to listing Jaquiski Tartt, as I think this is the season he finally puts it together. Tartt is a fantastic talent and will be a big reason for the 49ers’ success. I think too highly of Buckner to not give him the award, though.
Poll
Who will be the 49ers DPOY?
This poll is closed
-
58%
Buckner
(579 votes) -
12%
Ford
(125 votes) -
20%
Bosa
(208 votes) -
5%
Sherman
(58 votes) -
2%
Other
(27 votes)