As the San Francisco 49ers prepare to open the 2026 season against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, the air is thick with anticipation. After a 12-5 season that somehow only earned third place in the brutally competitive NFC West, the 49ers enter this year with a chip on their shoulder and a roster retooled for a Super Bowl run. With the season about to kick off, the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk is here to lay out four bold predictions that could define San Francisco's campaign.
6-0 in the NFC West: A Tall Order, But Not Impossible
The 49ers finished 12-5 in 2025, a record that would have won any other division in the NFC. Yet, in the NFC West, it was only good enough for third place, behind the Rams and Seahawks—the two teams that met in the NFC Championship Game. Both rivals have only gotten stronger, making the division a gauntlet. My boldest prediction? San Francisco sweeps all six divisional games. The Cardinals are rebuilding, but the Rams and Seahawks are formidable. The 49ers split both series last year, losing the season finale to Seattle, which cost them the division crown. A 6-0 record would not only secure the division but also send a message to the rest of the league. It's a steep climb, but in the NFC West, where margins are razor-thin, anything is possible.
Mike Evans Shatters His Reception Ceiling
Quick: What's Mike Evans' career-high in receptions? If you guessed 96, you're right—he set that back in 2016 on a league-high 173 targets. Despite being one of the NFL's most consistent receivers for a decade, Evans has never topped 100 catches. That changes in 2026. After a season of revolving-door receivers, the 49ers signed Evans to provide stability and star power. In fact, he might be the best receiver to wear red and gold since Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens. With Brock Purdy's gunslinger mentality—the 'I have a receiver down there somewhere' trait—Evans is a perfect match. Purdy will likely target his new weapon early and often, especially with only De'Zhaun Stribling and George Kittle as credible threats for targets. No 49ers receiver has eclipsed 100 receptions in the Kyle Shanahan era (Christian McCaffrey did it as a running back), so Evans would make history twice over with a 100-catch season.
Jack Jones Emerges as the Ballhawk the 49ers Need
Outside of Stribling, no 49er impressed more in preseason than Jack Jones. He earned his roster spot with stellar play, breaking up three passes and nearly picking off a pass against the Raiders. Jones has a nose for the ball—something the 49ers desperately lacked in 2025, when they didn't record their first interception until Week 8 and finished tied for 29th with just six picks. Since entering the NFL in 2022, Jones has eight career interceptions, matching Deommodore Lenoir's total in one fewer season. His three picks in 2024 equal Lenoir's single-season high for a 49ers cornerback. The defense needs turnovers, and Jones has the playmaking instincts to lead the team in interceptions this year.
Maxx Crosby Will Eventually Be a 49er
The Raiders' saga with Maxx Crosby has been bizarre—he was traded, the deal was voided, and now he's suddenly happy in Las Vegas. But don't be surprised if his name surfaces again in trade talks. The 49ers are a natural fit. With Nick Bosa recovering from a knee injury, the pass rush is a major concern. San Francisco recorded a league-low 20 sacks when Bosa was out, and the team only added Romello Height in the draft to address the edge. Osa Odighizuwa will help inside, but with Mykel Williams' timeline uncertain, the defensive line needs reinforcements. Whether Bosa returns to form or not, the 49ers lack depth at defensive end. A blockbuster trade for Crosby—reminiscent of the Christian McCaffrey deal—would instantly elevate the defense and signal a win-now mentality. The fit is perfect; the 49ers just need to make it happen.
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