Niners Nation
The 49ers have been well-represented in the Pro Bowl under Kyle Shanahan. Will they have any first-timers this season?
During their 2024 Super Bowl run, the San Francisco 49ers had a whopping nine players selected, including a host of others named as alternates. The 49ers weren’t nearly as well-represented during last year’s Pro Bowl. Nick Bosa, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, and Fred Warner represented the team, although four others were named as alternates.
Expectations are sky-high once again for the Niners heading into the 2025 season. This is a team with one of the highest projected win totals, as oddsmakers believe the 49ers will benefit from a favorable schedule.
With winning comes production on both sides of the ball. It also leads to recognition, both from the fans and the players. That brings us to today’s question. Who will be a first-time Pro Bowler?
For this exercise, players like Deommodore Lenoir count, despite being “alternates” in previous seasons. We’re talking about who will be voted as a starter.
Brandon Aiyuk would be a popular pick, but we don’t know how much time he’ll miss. It would be surprising to see Jauan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall do enough during the first half of the season in Aiyuk’s expected absence to garner Pro Bowl recognition. I think the wide receiver group will be by committee, with multiple contributors and a different receiver leader every other week.
Unless Dominick Puni, Jake Brendel, or whoever wins the left guard job has a standout season, we’re looking at a player on the other side of the ball. That’s where my answer will take us.
The players at positions in the conference matter. I’d be confident Malik Mustapha could push the NFC safety group if I knew he wouldn’t miss time. Even if it’s only two games, that’s Sam Darnold and either Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, or Jake Haener. There will be opportunities for the Niners’ secondary early in the season.
Not picking Mustapha after being worried that he’ll miss a couple of games, only to turn around and pick Dee Winters — a player who was basically written in Sharpie on last year’s injury report wouldn’t be fair, so I’ll stay in the secondary.
My answer: Renardo Green.
I’ll go with the second-year pro who is sure to be tested often in Robert Saleh’s scheme. And I believe Green will pass many of those tests, limit completion percentages, and luck his way into enough interceptions where he’ll be recognized as one of the better cornerbacks in the conference.
Last year, the Pro Bowl cornerbacks were Jaycee Horn, Jaylon Johnson, Byron Murphy, and Devon Witherspoon. That’s Green’s competition. I think playing with a lead will help Green rack up a few turnovers and pass breakups, ultimately leading to his first Pro Bowl nod.
Who do you think will make their first Pro Bowl this season? Scroll down and let us know in the comments.
