49ers training camp questions: How far can Jimmy Garoppolo lead San Francisco as starter?

In the lead-up to training camps, USA TODAY Sports will be breaking down the key questions facing each NFL team. Today, we look at the San Francisco 49ers:

How will Garoppolo and the 49ers handle raised expectations?

San Francisco isn't playing with house money anymore. Last year, both head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch looked to lay the groundwork for a franchise that had been beset by upheaval since Jim Harbaugh's departure at the conclusion of the 2014 season.

But even amid a 6-10 campaign that highlighted several roster shortcomings, a 5-0 finish to close the year might have accelerated the expected timeline for the team to compete in the NFC West. 

Central to that resurgence was quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who took over in Week 13 and never looked back. Freshly signed to a five-year, $137.5 million contract that briefly made him the NFL's highest-paid player, he'll be counted on to continue his ascension after an impressive start. But Garoppolo also won't have the same element of surprise working in his favor this year now that teams have ample time and film to study him in Shanahan's offense. 

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What is McKinnon's role?

One of free agency's biggest surprises might have been the 49ers' four-year, $30 million deal with running back Jerick McKinnon. At $7.5 million a season, he now is the NFL's fourth-highest paid back, trailing only the Steelers' Le'Veon Bell, the Falcons' Devonta Freeman and the Bills' LeSean McCoy.

That might seem like odd company for a back who averaged 3.8 yards per carry last season with the Vikings and has primarily been a backup and third-down option for most of his career. But San Francisco has big plans for him as it looks to elevate its rushing game.

Shanahan has said he sees McKninnon operating in a role similar to that of Freeman, whom he coached as offensive coordinator of the Falcons from 2015 to 2016. In those two years, Freeman finished fifth and seventh in total yards from scrimmage as he became both a reliable threat on the ground and a matchup problem for linebackers in the passing game. With few other established options, McKinnon should receive plenty of touches.

Will the defense come together?

Linebacker Reuben Foster has been suspended two games for violating the NFL's policies on personal conduct and substance abuse. Even when he returns, the middle of the defense will need to take a significant step forward. Third-round pick Fred Warner could be an early asset.

In the secondary, San Francisco hopes to get a significant boost from the addition of a former nemesis in Richard Sherman. The four-time all-pro is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that ended his 2017 season. As defensive coordinator Robert Saleh continues to build out his Seahawks-inspired unit, Sherman could be the ballhawk the group sorely needs.

Establishing a more consistent pass rush will also be a priority after the defense finished with just 30 sacks last year. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner looked to be on the verge of a breakout in 2017 with a league-high 19 quarterback hits, and No. 3 overall pick Solomon Thomas could make a significant leap in Year 2.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.