The San Francisco 49ers awards are ready to be handed out. It’s been an incredible year and the 49ers went 13-3, won the NFC West division and are the #1 seed in the NFC. It’s been an incredible team effort, and this week we’re going to single some players out and give them the recognition they richly deserve. So without further ado, it’s the 49ers awards for the 2019 regular season.
2019 San Francisco 49ers Regular Season Awards
49ers Most Valuable Player – George Kittle
The stats – 85 Catches 1053 Yards 5 Touchdowns
George Kittle is the MVP of the 49ers, and it’s pretty clear as to why. Not only do his stats back the award, his leadership and heart drive the entire team. George Kittle simply refuses to be tackled by one player, or the first time he’s touched. He simply utilizes the strength of will to make things happen for the 49ers. He’s a leader, he’s their heartbeat. The 49ers go as George Kittle goes. The fact that he carries this team on his shoulders is clear to anyone who watches. He’s impossible not to root for.
His play of the year against the Saints on 4th and 2 embodies everything you need to know about him. Go back and watch that play and see how he simply refused to give up. He broke a tackle and fought for thirty extra yards while having his facemask twisted and carrying multiple defenders. It set up the game-winning field goal. It’s all you need to know about George Kittle.
49ers Offensive Player of the Year – Jimmy Garoppolo
The stats – 476 Att 329 Comp 3978 Yards 27 Tds 13 Ints 102 QBR
In his first full year under center for the 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo showed what he can deliver. He had some issues with turnovers and at times holds the ball too long and took unnecessary sacks. That said, he delivers when he’s needed and controls the offense. He has the necessary skillset to lead a team and took control of a dynamic offense and ran it with great efficiency.
It’s important to note that he’s also coming off of a devastating knee injury and should be the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
49ers Offensive Rookie of the Year – Deebo Samuel
The Stats – 57 Catches 802 Yards 3 Touchdowns // 159 Yards Rushing 3 Rushing TDs
Deebo Samuel is electrifying. When he gets his hands on the football, he’s magic. He has unbelievable speed and quickness. Samuel also looks for contact and isn’t easily taken to the ground. Deebo Samuel had a great year and really stepped up for the 49ers this season as a rookie. He became a viable option for Jimmy Garoppolo and he and Emanuel Sanders make a very potent duo of receivers.
What makes him most difficult for defenses is his versatility. He can run accurate patterns, is a deep threat and runs the jet sweep like a seasoned pro. He’s a multi-dimensional tool that the 49ers seemingly continue to find new ways to use. He’s a swiss army knife on offense and will undoubtedly be a big factor in how the 49ers progress in the postseason.
49ers Offensive Breakout Star – Raheem Mostert
The stats – 137 Carries 772 Yards 5.6 YPC 8 Touchdowns
The 49ers have a loaded backfield and yet somehow, Raheem Mostert emerged as the best of the group. He’s fast, strong, and makes big plays. He’s a red-zone monster and when he gets the ball inside the 20, he finds the endzone. The five-year veteran has found a home in San Francisco and will undoubtedly be a big part of their plans going forward. In a backfield that also houses Tevin Coleman, Matt Breida, and an injured Jerick McKinnon, Mostert has solidified his roster spot.
49ers Defensive Most Valuable Player – Fred Warner
The stats – 118 Tackles 3 Sacks 3 Forced Fumbles 1 Int
This is a category that saw a handful of players attempting to vie for the honor. In the end, nobody came up as big as often as Fred Warner. He was all over the field making plays all season long. Warner breaks up passes. Fred Warner pressures the quarterback and is a tackling machine. He simply has an unmatched motor on the field and never stops making plays. The second-year player is already the leader and alongside Dre Greenlaw and injured newcomer Kwon Alexander make the linebacker corps among the best in the NFL.
49ers Defensive Rookie of the Year – Nick Bosa
The stats – 47 Tackles 9 Sacks 1 Forced Fumble 1 Interception 2 Fumble Recoveries
Nick Bosa is the defenses, George Kittle. The dude has a motor that simply will not quit. While he scored nine sacks on the season, his QB pressures were out of this world. He was leading the league in QB pressures throughout much of the season. Not only does he create chaos in the backfield, but he is also an asset against the run as well. In the season finale, he ran down Russell Wilson multiple times showing his amazing athletism. He’s just a beast.
You have to wonder how many more sacks Bosa would have had if Dee Ford was able to stay healthy on the other side and force defenses to not key on Bosa. The 49ers’ defensive line is stellar, and Bosa as a rookie is the anchor. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and led all defensive players in the NFL in total votes.
49ers Defensive Breakout Star – Dre Greenlaw
The Stats – 92 Tackles 1 Sack 1 Interception
Another 49er defensive rookie to who stepped up in a huge way this season. When Kwon Alexander went down with a season-ending injury, Greenlaw stepped in. Stepped in and stepped up. Much like Warner, Greenlaw is all over the field and secured the 49ers victory and NFC West title Sunday with his goalline tackle just inches short. Had he not made that incredible play, the 49ers would have dropped from the one seed to the five seed. It’s a monster play from a monster player.
Greenlaw was a fifth-round draft pick out of Arkansas and was forced into the starting lineup in week nine. In week seventeen he became a legend. He spent much of his youth in foster homes and was 14 when he found a permanent home. Now at age 22, he has another home with the San Francisco 49ers.
49ers Dwight Clark Man of the Year – Richard Sherman
The Stats – 61 Tackles 11 Passes Defended 3 Ints 1 TD
Richard Sherman wins this award as much for his leadership off the field as his performance on it. He’s been a standout corner this year, coming up big all year. He’s been a steadying influence on a young and talented defensive backfield. He is always motivating his teammates, and speaks usually after the head coach in the locker room, providing veteran leadership to a young and firey team.
There are few treats like listening to Richard Sherman when he’s mic’d up. He was wearing a mic Sunday night against the Seahawks and it’s a good example of the leadership he exemplifies and shows his toughness on the field. If you’re interested in watching the short video, you can find it here.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
