Five players who can make a difference this season:

ALEX SMITH

NO. 11, QUARTERBACK

• Height: 6-4

• Weight: 217

• Acquired: 2005 draft, first round

• Experience: eighth season

• Why he matters: Smith had the best season of his career under coach Jim Harbaugh in 2011. This year, he’ll be asked to push the ball downfield to speedy wideouts Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, something he’s been reluctant to do in the past.

SOUND BITE

“He understands all the different things that we do and he’s really, really, really intelligent. Bright football player. Really intelligent. He is super smart. Savant-like at times and has great ideas.”

– GREG ROMAN 49ers offensive coordinator

ALDON SMITH

NO. 99, OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

• Height: 6-4

• Weight: 258

• Acquired: 2011 draft, first round

• Experience: second season

• Why he matters: He’s part of a one-two punch with defensive end Justin Smith that will be a thorny assignment for any offensive line. Smith finished with 14 sacks last year despite playing only 48 percent of the snaps. He’ll start this season.

SOUND BITE

“He’s much farther along than he was compared to a year ago, but he’s still nowhere near what he needs to be. … It may not always be visible to people … but he’ll be better as we keep going.”

– VIC FANGIO 49ers defensive coordinator

KENDALL HUNTER

NO. 32, RUNNING BACK

• Height: 5-7

• Weight: 199

• Acquired: 2011 draft, fourth round

• Experience: second season

• Why he matters: Hunter hits the hole faster than any 49ers running back, and he’s expected to have a big role on third downs. Frank Gore will continue to be the 49ers’ workhorse back, but Hunter will be the home-run threat.

SOUND BITE

“The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear Kendall Hunter’s name is football player. He loves football. He loves to get out there and compete, he enjoys it. He always gives his maximum effort. … ”

– GREG ROMAN 49ers offensive coordinator

RANDY MOSS

NO. 84, WIDE RECEIVER

• Height: 6-4

• Weight: 210

• Acquired: 2012, free agent

• Experience: 14th season

• Why he matters: Moss is the oldest member of the 49ers’ offense – and also is its craftiest. Moss may not be as fast as he was his rookie year (1998), but he still knows how to get downfield, and he’ll be expected to stretch defenses this season.

SOUND BITE

“The things he does in and out of his breaks is amazing just because he can turn it on and turn it off that quick. I don’t think we’ve seen his full stride yet. … People will have to reckon with that when he does bring it out.”

– TARELL BROWN 49ers defensive back

VERNON DAVIS

NO. 85, TIGHT END

• Height: 6-3

• Weight: 250

• Acquired: 2006 draft, first round

• Experience: seventh season

• Why he matters: Randy Moss,

Mario Manningham and Michael Crabtree have grabbed all the headlines this season. Davis, however, remains Alex Smith’s favorite target. He’ll try to build on his 2011 playoff performance when he was the 49ers’ best – and only – downfield option.

SOUND BITE

“I don’t think much has changed with him (from last year). … The difference is how we used him. I think that’s what really took off at the end of last season.”

– ALEX SMITH 49ers quarterback

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