Dante Pettis' rookie season is behind him. The San Francisco 49ers' second-year wide receiver recently sat down with Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area for the latest 49ers Insider Podcast and was asked how his quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, has looked this offseason compared to last year.
There's just one problem. Pettis isn't really sure how Garoppolo looked last year. He was a rookie back then and was trying to figure things out himself. Pettis was in survival mode.
"If the ball came to me, it was like cool, awesome, that's great," Pettis told Maiocco.
He wasn't necessarily concerned with how the football got to him or who threw it so asking about the quarterback's performance last year is pointless.
"As far as watching him now, he looks really good," Pettis added regarding Garoppolo.
Pettis advises the 49ers' latest group of rookies to soak up as much as they can right now because there will be a point where everything begins to click. For Pettis, that was around Week 12, right after the bye week. That allowed him to play a more stress-free version of his game.
Pettis told reporters last week that he gained a little weight this offseason — about 10 pounds. He also focused on improving his play. The goal, however, isn't necessarily to lead the league or team in any significant receiving category.
"First, the thing I want to do this year is just get better," Pettis said. "I'm big on that, not comparing myself to other people or what someone else is doing. I'm not going to be like, 'Yeah, I want to be the number one receiver. I want to have the most yards, the most catches,' blah, blah, blah. It would be cool, but at the same time, I've been around sports long enough to know stuff doesn't always happen like that.
"As long as I am playing the best that I can play, continually growing and getting better, then I'm going to be happy with how I'm performing."
Sports Illustrated recently listed Pettis as an early 2019 fantasy football breakout candidate. But the receiver knows that within head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, the ball can go to anyone. You just have to take advantage of your opportunities.
Pettis dealt with two injuries last season. The first was a knee injury during a Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers and then again during Week 16 against the Chicago Bears.
Despite a couple of bumps in the road, Pettis' rookie campaign can be described as a successful one. The receiver finished the year strong, ending the season with 20 receptions for 359 yards and four touchdowns during his five game appearances after the bye week. His best game last year, according to Pro Football Focus' week-by-week grades, was during the Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, a game the 49ers won.
"I learned a lot," Pettis said. "I got better as the year went on, except for the two little injuries. Other than that, I was happy with being able to grow through the season and not really take steps back."
A better feel for the offense and growing chemistry with Garoppolo could result in a productive season for the soft-spoken receiver. Pettis' only goal for the upcoming season is to continue taking steps forward in his development. If that happens, he will consider 2019 a success.
You can listen to the entire interview with Pettis below.
