As the San Francisco 49ers gear up for another formidable season, expectations are soaring. Hot off their impressive Super Bowl run in 2024, which saw a remarkable nine players named to the Pro Bowl (with several others recognized as alternates), the Niners are looking to build on this momentum as they head into the 2025 season. It’s worth noting that last year, while the squad had representatives like Nick Bosa, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, and Fred Warner at the Pro Bowl, this year feels different—especially with the buzz surrounding their projected success due to a favorable schedule.
With all that winning typically comes individual accolades, and the conversation naturally shifts to which players might secure their first Pro Bowl selections this year. While players who’ve previously been alternates, like Deommodore Lenoir, can be considered, the focus here is on who might truly break through as a starter.
Brandon Aiyuk’s name comes to mind as a frontrunner. However, uncertainty surrounding how much of the season he might miss poses a challenge for his candidacy. If Aiyuk’s absence lingers, it’s hard to imagine anyone in the wide receiver room, such as Jauan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall, stepping up in a way that would make them Pro Bowl contenders in the short timeframe of the first half of the season. Instead, it’s likely we’ll see a more collaborative effort at receiver, with different players taking turns leading the charge on different weeks.
Looking to the trenches, unless a player like Dominick Puni, Jake Brendel, or the left guard who wins the starting job steps up in a big way, the first-time Pro Bowler conversation might shift to the defensive side of the ball. And that’s precisely where my focus will land.
If injuries don’t interfere, Malik Mustapha could be a compelling candidate for the NFC safety group, assuming he stays healthy enough to compete. That gives plenty of scope for the Niners’ secondary, especially early in the season with a new slate of quarterbacks to face, including Sam Darnold, Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, or Jake Haener.
Instead of going with Mustapha, who carries injury concerns, I’ll highlight another key figure in the secondary: Renardo Green. In his second year, he’s poised to be a critical piece in Robert Saleh’s defensive scheme, which often puts defenders to the test. I believe Green will handle those challenges admirably, effectively limiting completion percentages. With a bit of luck, he could also snag a few interceptions, which will further bolster his standing among cornerbacks in the conference.
Currently, Green is up against a solid field of last year’s Pro Bowl cornerbacks, including Jaycee Horn, Jaylon Johnson, Byron Murphy, and Devon Witherspoon. However, given that the Niners will likely play with a lead this season, Green could have ample opportunities to make game-changing plays, potentially tipping the scales in his favor for that first Pro Bowl nod.
The 2025 season is shaping up to be a thrilling one for the 49ers, and with so much talent on the roster, the question becomes: Who do you think will emerge as a first-time Pro Bowler this season? We want to hear your thoughts—let your voice be heard in the comments!
