San Francisco 49ers: 4 players with the most to prove in 2019

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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the field before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw for the first time publicly Tuesday during OTAs in Santa Clara. Coming off an injury, Garoppolo will have plenty to prove in 2019 as well as these three other 49ers players.

Now that free agency and the NFL Draft are over with, what is there really to look forward to with the San Francisco 49ers until the regular season? Well, I guess there are OTAs, which kicked off Tuesday in Santa Clara.

All eyes were on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to see how he faired dropping back for a pass as Garoppolo is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered early last season. Videos surfaced from his limited action and it’s safe to say he’s looking nearly there.

He won’t be a full participant in any practices until training camp according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, which is likely the best course of action. The 49ers signal-caller has nothing to prove this offseason, but the regular season is another thing. Garoppolo has much to prove in 2019 as well as a few other 49ers players.

Before we get to the others, let’s stick with Garoppolo as our first player who has the most to prove this season.

SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

1. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB

There is no player on the San Francisco 49ers roster who has more to prove in 2019 than Jimmy Garoppolo. The expectations that were set on this team, due in part to Garoppolo, roll over from 2018 to 2019.

Only now the pressure is really on for him.

He still has to prove that he is the 49ers quarterback for the long term future. He never got the chance last season once he tore his ACL in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs which is another factor that adds fuel to this fire.

How will Jimmy Garoppolo respond coming off such a harsh injury?

There is also the stigma that he is an injury prone player since he’s only managed to start just 12 games with two injuries sustained. Injuries are not something he can control, but it’s a label that he needs to be erased after the season.

Garoppolo is going to be the motor that keeps the offense going. They’ll go as far as he’s able to take them. Now I’m not saying the 49ers can’t win a game that he plays average in, but he definitely needs to come out guns blazing in the majority of the games.

After all, he’s getting paid the big bucks for a reason.

Anything average is unacceptable — especially for a team that needs to be in the hunt for the playoffs. Garoppolo’s response from injury and his production with loads of talent on the offense creates an immense amount of pressure for him to produce.

The ball is on his side of the court and it’ll be on him to make the most of it.