This 49ers Player is a Surprise Breakout Candidate for 2020

In February, the San Francisco 49ers fell just 11 points short of a championship, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV. If the 49ers want to get over the hump and bring a title home to the Bay Area, they are going to need to fill some holes between now and Week 1.

One of the quieter but costly losses was that of veteran wide receiver Emannuel Sanders. Sanders was third on the team in receptions last season with 36 total. With Sanders now in New Orleans, Kendrick Bourne will have an opportunity to be a breakout performer in 2020.

Bourne has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons in San Francisco, averaging 367.3 yards per season and 7.7 yards per target. He saw a decrease in targets when Sanders joined mid-2019, only getting 44 targets total, far less than his 66 from 2018.

Now that Sanders is gone, there will be extra opportunities for the 24-year-old wideout to assert himself. Bourne has already made the jump from undrafted free agent to starter, but he can absolutely improve even further.

Bourne tied with tight end George Kittle for the most receiving touchdowns on the team last season despite finishing fourth in total targets. He has all the tools to succeed; he just needs the chance.

Bourne has all the physical tools you want in a wideout. He's got the energy on the field, and the chemistry with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo needed to succeed. Now that Sanders is gone, he'll the opportunity to shock fans and break out for the 49ers.