Connor McIntyre | June 2nd, 2019
All this off-season I’ve heard about many teams getting into Super Bowl form. The Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, and many others. But one team that had a good offseason and roster that I haven’t seen much of is the San Francisco 49ers. With a good original group that consists of Pro Bowl players like George Kittle, Joe Staley, DeForest Buckner, and the aging but still talented Richard Sherman and other talents like Marquise Goodwin, Matt Breida, Jerick McKinnon, Solomon Thomas, and a solid O-line, the 49ers seem poised for success. Let’s also not forget their franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, their crown jewel. The 49ers added to this impressive group by bringing in Kwon Alexander, Tevin Coleman, and Jason Verrett and trading for the defensive end, Dee Ford. The 49ers have, probably, one of the most well-rounded groups and it would be a shock to me if they missed the playoffs.
The 49ers’ have talent at every position on offense and depth at many positions too. With 3 talented running backs (McKinnon, Breida, and Coleman), a group of young wide receivers a slowly rising through the ranks (Kendrick Bourne, Dante Pettis, and Richie James Jr.), and an O-line with plenty of talent all surrounding Garoppolo, this offense could be scary. The 49ers O-line ranked 15th last year according to Pro Football Focus but expect that to improve with tackle Mike McGlinchey growing and improving. Their wide receivers have a similar story, they ranked 24th according to Pro Football Focus but will easily improve now that Pettis and James Jr. have had experience. Their rushing attack finished ranked 13th, but with the addition of Coleman and Breida and McKinnon returning healthy, this is a group to be scared of. Finally, if Garoppolo plays like he did before he was hurt, the 49ers’ receiving corps will likely improve and play above expectations.
The 49ers defense is also very talented, boasting a D-line with four first-round picks, Dee Ford, and the extraordinary rookie Nick Bosa. This is a D-line that could become one of the most dominant forces in the NFL and seriously mess with the rest of the NFC. Their secondary was weak last year, but now that they’ve signed Jason Verrett they will definitely improve. Not only will this addition bring talent, but also mentoring for younger players. Their linebackers aren’t spectacular, and filling a need by going out and getting Kwon Alexander was a smart move. They say defense wins championships, and this one seems ready to do that.
I am honestly quite impressed with the fact that they have the ability to trade away someone like Breida because of their depth and talent. If they could get a third or fourth round pick for him, and use it on a linebacker or cornerback, they would be in good shape for the future. As for right now, they could easily make the playoffs this year, but don’t be surprised if they make a deep playoff run. Their youth and talent combination is one that only a few teams can rival. If Garappolo stays healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Dante Pettis had a 1,000-yard season, or if they had multiple 1,000-yard receivers this year. This is a team that could be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
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