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5 Early Predictions for the San Francisco 49ers’ 2015 Season

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Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

5 Early Predictions for the San Francisco 49ers' 2015 Season

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

With the San Francisco 49ers' offseason fully underway, we are starting to get a better feel for how this team will look this upcoming season. Here are five early predictions for the 49ers in 2015.

5. Offense Will be More Explosive

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) hands off the ball to running back Reggie Bush
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

5. Offense Will be More Explosive

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) hands off the ball to running back Reggie Bush
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers' coaching staff has been streamlining the offense and creating plays around ability rather than position. OC Geep Chryst will exploit the strong arm of QB Colin Kaepernick a lot more this year by challenging defenses downfield. With an added arsenal of Torrey Smith and Reggie Bush, the 49ers will finally have a high powered aerial assault to equal their dynamic run game.

4. Vernon Davis Returns to Form

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

4. Vernon Davis Returns to Form

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

After a disappointing 2014 season, tight end Vernon Davis is poised for a bounce-back year. The 31-year-old is finally healthy after last year's lower back injury and is already impressing the 49ers' coaching staff this offseason. The Pro Bowler will return to his former self and he will be another legitimate deep threat for QB Colin Kaepernick to exploit this fall.

3. Defense Rebounds into Top 5

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock during 49ers-Minicamp.
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

3. Defense Rebounds into Top 5

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock during 49ers-Minicamp.
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers' defensive unit took a big hit in the offseason when it lost a bevy of talented players to either retirement and free agency. However, Pro Bowl linemen NaVorro Bowman and Darnell Dockett will be returning to the field after ACL injuries and CB Tramain Brock has also rebounded from injury this year. If Arik Armstead develops into half the D-lineman Justin Smith was, the 49ers defense should have no problem reaching the top 5 this season.

2. Colin Kaepernick Has Pro Bowl Year

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Colin Kaepernick Has Pro Bowl Year

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

When quarterback Colin Kaepernick lead the 49ers to the 2012 Super Bowl, his performance has been on a steady decline ever since. As more teams began exposing Kaepernick's weaknesses, the more ineffective he becomes. After an offseason committed to improving his presences in the pocket, the 27-year-old is poised to retake the NFL by storm and have the best year of his career.

1. 49ers Will Make the Playoffs

New England Patriots carry the Vince Lombardi Trophy as they celebrate their victory over the Seattle Seahawks
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

1. 49ers Will Make the Playoffs

New England Patriots carry the Vince Lombardi Trophy as they celebrate their victory over the Seattle Seahawks
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

With former head coach Jim Harbaugh “mutually parted” and the exodus of players, a playoff run may seem hard to imagine this year. However, the 49ers have generally thrived as the 'underdog' and will feed off of this new handle during the season. San Francisco has quality depth on its roster and a strong coaching staff. If this team can rally behind its new HC Jim Tomsula, there is no telling how far they can go in 2015.

James Forsythe is a 49ers Beat Writer at www.RantSports.com. You can Follow him on Twitter @9erJim or add him to your network on Google.

James Forsythe is a writer for RantSports.
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