3 Worst-Case Scenarios for the San Francisco 49ers in 2020

The 49ers took the NFL by storm in 2019. Everyone knew they were going to turn a corner, but we can safely guess nobody expected them to be a couple of plays away from winning Super Bowl LIV.

Led by head coach Kyle Shanahan, the Niners quickly became one of the most balanced teams in the NFL. With that being said, this team will not be immune to regressions, especially if a number of things don't go their way. These three issues could doom them in 2020.

3. Deebo Samuel Has a Sophomore Slump

Deebo Samuel carrying the ball in Super Bowl LIV / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Deebo Samuel burst onto scene in Shanahan’s offense during his rookie season. With close to 1,000 all-purpose yards and six total touchdowns, Samuel is expected to take a big leap in Year 2. However, the loss of teammate Emmanuel Sanders to New Orleans will not help his case. With teams having a full year of film on Samuel, there will be even more pressure on the receiver to create plays every Sunday, and he'll have to do so with a worse, less experienced receiving corps.

2. Javon Kinlaw Struggles to Make an Impact

Javon Kinlaw at the NFL Scouting Combine / Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Kinlaw was former teammate of Samuel at South Carolina. After a season that was capped with a First Team All-SEC selection, the Niners made Kinlaw their first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. San Fran’s defensive line rotation featuring Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Deforest Buckner, Solomon Thomas and Dee Ford was elite in 2019. With the loss of Buckner, Kinlaw has a lot of pressure on him to play an important role defensively. If he doesn't fill Buckner's shoes quickly, this defense will take a significant hit.

1. Jimmy Garoppolo Fails to Improve Throwing Downfield

Jimmy Garoppolo in Super Bowl LIV / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

The arm accuracy of Jimmy Garoppolo arguably doomed the Niners Super Bowl LIV. The running game worked great for San Fran last season, but there will be even more responsibility put on Jimmy G to make winning plays through the air. Simply put, the man needs to improve upon his deep ball completion percentage (55.6%) and pressured completion percentage (46.9%). If he can't improve in those areas in his second full season as a starter, then it's possible the 49ers will have to explore other options at QB with this roster ready to win now.