NFL futures, 2 San Francisco 49ers bets: How far can they go with their QB issues?

The biggest strength for the 49ers is likely the skill-position players on the offensive side of the ball. Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk can give any WR tandem a run for their money, George Kittle is an elite tight end, and if he can stay healthy, RB Christian McCaffrey gave this offense a major jolt once he was acquired last season.

The defense is led by Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and Charvarius Ward, and the newly signed Javon Hargrave should hopefully plug up what was one of their only vulnerabilities last season: the middle of the defensive line.

Again though, you can only go far without a reliable quarterback. Does San Francisco have that?

Two futures bets to make on the San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco to finish 2nd in NFC West (+220 DK)

Found under '"Division Specials"
I figured the quarterback talk could wait until here. When thinking about how I wanted to frame my expectations for San Francisco's 2023, this market felt like a better suggestion than to fade their win total.

This team won 13 games last year and the NFC is wide open, they're certainly going to find plenty of wins this season. However, strictly speaking on value, a slight fade of them here in their own division seems like a play worth making.

I already discussed my love of Seattle, believe it or not I wrote that for the Seahawks article. I've also equally torn down the Rams and Cardinals in this division, neither of whom is expected to do very much, and both of which I expect six wins as a ceiling.

So, that's quite the gap in the NFC West, it's clearly the Seahawks and Niners' division. 

Just realized we still haven't talked about QB. Brock Purdy came in last year in relief and went 8-0 before the NFC Championship Game. Purdy is a good story, but his injury is likely to keep him out from the beginning of the year, and even if it doesn't, I for one think everyone jumped the gun a bit too fast on Purdy's career outlook. This is a 6-foot quarterback without plus-arm strength who made his fair share of mistakes in the pocket and outside it but benefitted from quite a few dropped interceptions. I'm not convinced.

If it's not Purdy, Trey Lance figures to get another shot, but reports suggest San Francisco is souring on the guy they shipped out quite a bounty to take with the third pick in the 2021 draft. Sam Darnold is also in town, who could be fine in doses but hardly inspires confidence of a deep playoff run.

The 49ers just have not been able to figure out the QB position, and it's been what has kept them from hoisting another Lombardi Trophy. Whether it does or doesn't again this season, I think it's significant enough to keep them from repeating as NFC West champs.

George Kittle over 5.5 touchdowns (+110 DK)

Found under "Player Stats"
Kittle has done a much better job of staying on the field the past few seasons, and it's come through with his touchdowns scored. Last season he scored 11 to follow up on six from 2021. He's had double-digit targets inside the 20 in three of his last four years, and he's my preferred option to trust in this offense.

McCaffrey will surely be spelled during the regular season in the hopes of maintaining him for the stretch run, and Aiyuk and Samuel eat into each other's work just a bit.

That leaves Kittle on an island, and with that talent around him, he may very well get just that — less attention, just a linebacker to beat. At plus-money I'm willing to take a stab on a guy who has hit this line in two straight seasons.