Updated: Biggest Individual Surprise of the Year

Witherspoon.

Armstead went from a borderline pro-bowl run stuffer to an all-pro pass rusher.
Witherspoon went from replacement level to pro-bowl level - although he won't get in as some Dick will take all the 49er votes.

Emmanuel Mosley

Originally posted by CrankDatCrabtree:

Gotta be Witherspoon

Remember last year when we played GB and Aaron picked on Witherspoon all night and made him look like Nnamdi Asomugha on the Eagles.

That game made me lose all Faith in him...but this year...sheesh he look like Nnamdi from the Raiders

It was actually Mabin that got picked on mercilessly in that game. But there were other games where Spoon did get beat lol.

AA is a no brainer but watching Bosa go from good to great is fun to watch.

Joan in payroll.

AA. There has been at least 5 times this season where he has made a huge play in the back field and I've posted in the gameday thread "he whiffs on that play last year". In the past he's been in those positions and always found a way to do something boneheaded and and screw the pooch. This year he's taking the proper angles, not tripping himself and others,learning from his mistakes and finishing. He's a whole different player.

Witherspoon IMO. Armstead was already playing a lot better last year so its not as shocking that he continued to progress. Witherspoon looked like a wasted pick last year and this season he has straight up been balling.

Gotta go with Mostert. Dude was a 3rd string majority of the year. Took advantage of all his opportunities.

He is now definitely our best back without question. he's the most rounded RB we have. he's like a breida and coleman combined.

Well earned to be at the top of that depth chart.

1. Armstead..10 sacks, nuff said
2. Ward has been solid all year
3. Backups have done a fine job

Biggest suprise though, we're the number one team in the nfc right now, how many of us fans expected that?.

I voted Sanders....I mean come on, if you asked me before the season if he was going to be on our team I would have said no way. I think that trumps guys having breakout years. A lot of our guys who are playing well were quality players who had not a lot of talent around them to allow them to showcase their abilities. All ships do indeed rise with the tide.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Witherspoon IMO. Armstead was already playing a lot better last year so its not as shocking that he continued to progress. Witherspoon looked like a wasted pick last year and this season he has straight up been balling.

But Akhello had a good rookie year. It wasn't a stretch to think he could return the form. He's also a player in that window of 2nd to 3rd year where the jump occurs. Players making the jump AA has made in year 5 is a little rarer IMO. If someone told me he'd be a dominant run stuffer in 2019, I'd say, perhaps. If someone said he'd be a dominant all around DE/DT, constantly making game changing plays, eh.

He's really become a guy we can't let go. The other interesting thing is the idea of what he can earn. He's in a good spot here in that he can dominate and teams really can't focus on really trying to stop him. Its like the 80s Lakers with Magic, Jabbar, and Worthy. Just too much for practically any team to handle. I hope AA realizes we have a special thing going and remains without breaking the team.

Dante Pettis. I was really high on him at the beginning of the season, and now it looks like I was just really high.

positive side: Raheem Mostert. I thought surely his amazing performances for us last year were a matter of fresh legs and opponents overlooking the 4th/5th RB on our roster, but he continues to impress week after week after week.

Lol at Jimmy G being a surprise

Originally posted by MrGriz:
Dante Pettis. I was really high on him at the beginning of the season, and now it looks like I was just really high.

positive side: Raheem Mostert. I thought surely his amazing performances for us last year were a matter of fresh legs and opponents overlooking the 4th/5th RB on our roster, but he continues to impress week after week after week.

Wow. I think you may be right.

Dante Pettis is right up there with Armstead in regards to "surprise" season. I should have included him.

I thought AA had a chance to be great. I never would have thought Pettis would be total trash though.

I couldn't name just one since it takes a lot of guys really stepping up to go from 4-12 to where we are now in one season.