The San Francisco 49ers' 2025 regular-season opener is just around the corner, meaning quarterback Brock Purdy and Co. are getting set to debut in a meaningful game when they travel to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.
There are plenty of unknowns about the Niners entering the new year. How will Purdy respond to his lucrative contract extension? Is a revamped defensive line featuring plenty of rookies going to be adequate enough? What about both the wide receiver and running back rooms? They were depleted by both offseason transactions and injuries from last spring through training camp.
So, it makes sense why analysts are hesitant to put San Francisco anywhere else but in the middle of the pack of NFL teams entering the season. There are a lot of X-factors and yet-to-be-determined outcomes.
However, given that the regular season is upon us, let's explore some bold (yes, bold) predictions that may potentially come true over the course of 2025.
Let's go.
5 bold predictions for 49ers in 2025
No. 1: Brock Purdy gets back into MVP discussion
He won't win it, but Purdy's response to what many claimed was a down year in 2024 should result in MVP consideration.
In all reality, Purdy's 2024 efforts weren't horrible -- his 96.1 passer rating is just one piece of evidence -- yet it was a steep drop from the MVP-like campaign he enjoyed the previous year, ultimately finishing fourth in voting.
Purdy admitted to pressing too hard last year amid all the 49ers' injuries, but the combination of staying within himself while playing with a chip on his shoulder should lead to not only a bounce-back year but possibly an MVP-type campaign.
No. 2: Demarcus Robinson is 49ers' leading WR
A year ago, Jauan Jennings was the Niners' top wide receiver with 975 receiving yards, a career-best. This year, many fans project second-year pro Ricky Pearsall to be Purdy's favorite target, which makes plenty of sense. After all, San Francisco's first-round investment is going to be a crucial X-factor in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
That said, veteran wideout Demarcus Robinson is the bold prediction for the 49ers' leading wideout.
True, Robinson will be suspended for the first three games of the season, but that doesn't erase the notion he's the kind of receiver who should thrive in Shanahan's system, one he's already familiar with from his days with the Los Angeles Rams.
Pearsall might be the easy choice, but Robinson is the bolder one.
No. 3: Jake Moody doesn't survive the season on 49ers roster
This might be bold, depending on who you ask.
Kicker Jake Moody is on a short leash after a tumultuous 2024 second half, which prompted the Niners to bring in offseaosn competition -- a battle in which the third-round draftee from 2023 ultimately won, albeit with some conditions.
Moody had gaffes in the preseason despite a thrilling 59-yard game winner against the Las Vegas Raiders in exhibition Week 2, one of which was an out-of-bounds kickoff in the preseason finale that drew scorn from both Shanahan and special teams coordinator Brant Boyer.
Is it actually bold if Moody ultimately costs San Francisco a game or two this season because of his inconsistencies, ultimately leading to him getting the boot?
Maybe not.
No. 4: Bryce Huff leads 49ers in sacks
Nick Bosa is the 49ers' premiere pass-rusher. That's not in doubt. But, he doesn't need to tally up the sacks to make a difference. In fact, his mere presence should open up opportunities for other defenders to make impact plays.
After a forgettable year with the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive end Bryce Huff is back under the tutelage of coordinator Robert Saleh, who helped engineer a career-best 10-sack campaign with the New York Jets back in 2023.
With opponents focusing their attention on stopping Bosa, Huff is going to be the beneficiary of more one-on-one matchups, which could lead to a team lead in sacks.
No. 5: Upton Stout wins Defensive Rookie of the Year
It's not hard to find pundits out there predicting if a Niners player wins Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, it'd be their first-round draftee, defensive end Mykel Williams.
However, one might argue the rookie who made the biggest noise during training camp was third-round cornerback Upton Stout, who not only received praise from legendary NFL star Richard Sherman but also apparently already seized San Francisco's starting nickel job despite sitting out the preseason with a minor injury.
Nickel corners don't always get the publicity they deserve, yet Stout seems to have all the pieces in place to make a hefty impact right out of the gate.
Securing a DPOY accolade would be a tall order, but we're offering up bold predictions. Not soft ones.