The 49ers are in pretty good shape on offense despite some uncertainty under center. While the draft and the quarterback situation will undoubtedly have an impact on the direction of the team’s offense, ESPN’s Mike Clay has already released some statistical projections for the entire league.
His projections don’t typically include 17 games because they factor in potential injuries, and it remains to be seen what kind of roles rookies will have in 2023, which will in some ways alter the projected stats on each club.
For the 49ers the numbers offer an interesting scenario. In Clay’s projections, there’s a regression from Brock Purdy and with it regressions from virtually all of the 49ers pass catchers. George Kittle’s receiving TDs dip and Brandon Aiyuk fails to reach the 1,000-yard mark through the air. However, there’s a projected bounce-back year from Deebo Samuel.
Let’s take a look at Clay’s early projections for the 49ers offense in 2023. Stats in bold indicate a team-high:
QB Brock Purdy
Projected stats: 14 games, 66 percent completion rate, 3,396 yards, 21 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 3 rushing touchdowns.
QB Trey Lance
Projected stats: 3 games, 65.2 percent completion rate, 690 yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, one rushing TD.
RB Christian McCaffrey
Projected rushing stats: 189 carries, 860 yards, 7 TDs
Projected receiving stats: 88 targets, 71 receptions, 574 yards, 3 TDs
RB Elijah Mitchell
Projected rushing stats: 137 carries, 598 yards, 4 TDs
Projected receiving stats: 15 targets, 12 catches, 85 yards
WR Deebo Samuel
Projected receiving stats: 99 targets, 63 catches, 934 yards, 5 TDs
Projected rushing stats: 43 carries, 240 yards, 2 TDs
WR Brandon Aiyuk
Projected receiving stats: 103 targets, 66 catches, 870 yards, 5 TDs
WR Jauan Jennings
Projected receiving stats: 51 targets, 31 catches, 394 yards, 2 TDs
TE George Kittle
Projected stats: 88 targets, 63 catches, 754 yards, 5 TDs
