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5 reasons why the 49ers can win the Super Bowl

By Nicholas McGee

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of Arizona State runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of Arizona State runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Why the 49ers can win the Super Bowl: Diverse passing game weapons

The 49ers will not have the experience of Sanders in their passing attack after losing him to the New Orleans Saints in free agency.

His exit means the Niners head into the season with a young group of pass-catching options but it is their versatility, rather than their inexperience, that is most important.

All-Pro tight end George Kittle will remain the primary target for Garoppolo and can be deployed from anywhere on the field as a receiver or a blocker. Deebo Samuel will look to take another leap forward after a rookie season that saw him consistently shred defenses while used as a receiver and as a runner out of the backfield.

The 49ers drafted Brandon Aiyuk with their second pick in the first round this year. Aiyuk can also be used out of the backfield but has the route-running craft and speed to develop into a true number one receiver for San Francisco.

With former running back Jalen Hurd returning from a back injury that cost him his rookie season, the 2019 third-round pick can expect to be used in a variety of ways. Hurd will likely be pegged as a big slot but both he and seventh-round pick Jauan Jennings – should the latter make the team – have the potential to effectively operate as move tight ends and take some of the strain off Kittle.

The Niners’ pass-catchers are young but their multi-faceted nature means Garoppolo may take another stride with an even more dangerous offense. That is a frightening prospect for the rest of the NFL, and San Francisco’s NFC rivals will find outscoring this team just as difficult as it was in 2019.