5 bold predictions for San Francisco 49ers in 2021

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers argues a pass interference call during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on November 05, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 2: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the quarterback against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 2, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

3. Nick Bosa will lead the NFL in sacks

Bosa missed the final 14 games of the 49ers’ 2020 campaign with a knee injury. Predictably, that put a massive dent in the team’s pass rush. The good news for San Francisco is that Bosa believes he’ll be back and better than ever in 2021.

That’s bad news for quarterbacks hoping to thrive against the 49ers’ defense. Bosa is in line for a true breakout campaign in his third NFL season. He’s got the natural talent to flirt with a 20 sack season if he stays healthy for a full 17-game slate.

He’s not going to reach that rarified air this year, but he can still lead the entire NFL in sacks. The 49ers’ offense is going to put plenty of points on the board which means all of San Francisco’s edge rushers are going to get numerous chances to rush the passer on obvious passing downs. Bosa is going to cash more than his share of those chances in for sacks.

This prediction would be a little safer if San Francisco had another quality edge rusher to take some heat off of Bosa, but they could potentially find that type of prospect in the draft. Even if they don’t, Bosa’s talent is too prodigious for opponents to stop. He’s in line for a monster year.