49ers plotlines

GAROPPOLO, COMEBACK PLAYER OF YEAR?

Last September’s left-knee injury was a devastating setback to the 49ers’ season, yet it allowed Jimmy Garoppolo time to further learn Kyle Shanahan’s playbook and improve his defensive reads in the film room. He still has only 10 career starts, including his 5-0 debut for the 49ers in December 2017.

CAN THE DEFENSIVE LINE DOMINATE?

This is the most imposing defensive front since the 49ers playoff teams from 2011-13. The additions of Dee Ford (via a Kansas City Chiefs trade) and Nick Bosa (No. 2 overall draft pick) give the 49ers five players who were first-round draft picks, joining the 201517 selections of Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas, all of whom are being turned loose by new position coach Kris Kocurek.

HOW WILL THE RUNNING BACKS ROTATE?

The 49ers cautiously played Jerick McKinnon’s comeback from his own ACL tear last September, and that vaulted

49ers Subplots

Miami Magic

The 49ers’ last Super Bowl victory came 25 seasons ago in Miami, where the Lombardi Trophy will be awarded Feb. 2. In fact, two of the 49ers’ last three Super Bowl wins were there, having also won the 1988 season’s title in coach Bill Walsh’s finale.

BY CAM INMAN

newcomer Tevin Coleman atop the depth chart, although Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert also have proven value. All are fast. All are interchangeable. Will one emerge as the workhorse?

CAN YOUNG WIDE RECEIVERS FLOURISH?

Unable to swing a trade for Odell Beckham Jr., the 49ers instead invested more high draft picks on wide receivers — Deebo Samuel (second round) and Jalen Hurd (third round).

Dante Pettis, last year’s second-round choice, is being groomed as a potential No. 1 target. All need to earn Garoppolo’s trust and not run wrong routes, which contributed to last year’s ills.

The addition of Dee Ford, above, should make the 49ers’ defensive front very imposing. At right, Matt Breida is one of many interchangeable, fast running backs on the roster.

ANDA CHU/STAFF

WHICH DEFENSIVE BACKS WILL MAKE PLAYS?

Last season’s 49ers set an NFL record with only two interceptions, and none came from a cornerback, which is something Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon and possibly Jason Verrett must change. In-house options at safety also need to pan out: high school pals Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt, plus Adrian Colbert, Marcell Harris and Tarvarius Moore.

YOUNGSTOWN RETURN?

Between games at Tampa Bay and Cincinnati to open the regular season the 49ers will head for a familiar layover in Youngstown, Ohio. It’s where they stayed and bonded between road games early in the 2011 and ‘12 seasons en route to playoff berths. injured reserve in each of Kyle Shanahan’s two seasons.

Health Center

Ben Peterson was hired away from the Philadelphia Flyers to oversee the revamped training and strength staffs, which now have new chiefs in Dustin Little and Dustin Perry. The 49er have had nearly 20 guys go on

Contract Push

Hefty contract extensions await young stars such as DeForest Buckner and George Kittle. Almost every defensive back has scarce job security.