The 49ers. have a distinct advantage in the 2020 offseason. They’re set to return all but four starters from last year’s Super Bowl roster, and they’ve replaced two of those starters with first-round picks and another with a seven-time Pro Bowler. San Francisco’s roster should be among the NFL’s best again.
We went through the roster and tried to sort out what the best position groups are after their quick retooling and ranked those groups from best to worst.
It’s important to note the 49ers don’t have many ‘weak’ areas on their roster. These rankings are relative to a team that went to the Super Bowl a year ago.
1. Defensive line
There’s been a conscious effort by the club since 2015 when they selected Arik Armstead in the first round to bolster the defensive line with top-end talent. They’ve used five first-round selections on the defensive front in the last six drafts, including the No. 14 pick on South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. He’ll replace another first-round pick, DeForest Buckner. Last year’s No. 2 overall pick Nick Bosa will spearhead this group as an early Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and Armstead is back after a breakout year where he led the club in sacks. The 49ers will go as their defensive front goes.
2. Linebackers
The 49ers have quietly built one of the deepest, most versatile linebacker groups in the league over the last three years. They selected Fred Warner in the third round of the 2018 draft, then found gold again with Dre Greenlaw in the fifth round in 2019. They’ll both start again this season after very strong 2019 campaigns. Joining them is high-priced 2019 free agent signee Kwon Alexander, who is the best of the three in coverage and immediately became an emotional leader on the defensive side. The athleticism from this trio is an underrated aspect of what makes the 49ers’ defense special.
3. Running backs
It’s a testament to Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner that the running backs are in the top three. Jerick McKinnon Tevin Coleman are the only members of this group who were drafted. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. were both undrafted free agents when they entered the league, and San Francisco added Salvon Ahmed and Jamycal Hasty as undrafted rookies this year. The 49ers owned the second-best rushing attack in the league a season ago thanks to their deep stable of versatile running backs. Despite the trade of Matt Breida to the Dolphins, this group should be very good again in 2020.
4. Tight ends
There’s a very good chance this group winds up at the top of this list depending on how the season shakes out. George Kittle is the 49ers’ most valuable offensive player, and if this was just a list of the 49ers’ best players he’d be at the top. This takes the whole position group into account though and the depth knocks the tight ends down. Ross Dwelley is a fine No. 2 tight end, and sixth-round pick out of Georgia Charlie Woerner should be a factor as a blocker early in his career. The lack of another legitimate pass-catching threat at tight end holds the 49ers’ offense back a little bit.
5. Fullbacks
It’s cheating a little bit not including the fullback among the running backs, but Kyle Juszczyk is too important to the 49ers’ offense to lump in with the other backs. He can play the lead blocker role, but he can also line up as a tight end, in the slot or out side. His multifaceted skill set helps Shanahan maintain the deception his offense thrives on. Juszczyk is the highest-paid and best player at his position in the league.
6. Safeties
The 49ers’ starting safeties, Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt were excellent last season and key to the club’s stinginess against big plays. They’re both versatile enough to line up anywhere on the field, tackle well and cover multiple positions. San Francisco’s defense was at its best when they were both on the field. Tarvarius Moore had a good game in the Super Bowl and could wind up earning a starting job down the line. Marcell Harris struggled some replacing Tartt last year while the strong safety nursed a rib injury, but he’s still a capable player who’s better than a lot of fourth safeties in he NFL.
7. Offensive line
Typically losing a six-time Pro Bowl left tackle like Joe Staley would be a devastating blow to an offense. The 49ers managed to replace him with seven-time Pro Bowler Trent Williams. He’ll start at left tackle, and there’ll be a new right guard after Mike Person was cut during the offseason, so there’ll be some continuity issues for the offensive line. However, they have a deep group of reserves to help fill any vacancies including Justin Skule, Shon Coleman, Daniel Brunskill, Tom Compton, Ben Garland and rookie fifth-round pick Colton McKivitz. With left guard Laken Tomlinson, center Weston Richburg and right tackle Mike McGlinchey all back, the 49ers’ offensive line should once again be very solid.
8. Cornerbacks
The corners are relatively talented group that falls down the list because of a good roster around them. However, the lack of consistency across from Richard Sherman hurts their ranking. Sherman was an All-Pro last year, but neither Ahkello Witherspoon nor Emmanuel Moseley could nail down the full-time starting gig, and Witherspoon was benched in the playoffs. There may be a version of this group where Witherspoon or Moseley is a Pro Bowler. We haven’t seen that yet though. Perhaps the best player of them all though is nickel corner K’Waun Williams who quietly allowed just an 80.6 quarterback rating and one touchdown last season.
9. Quarterbacks
The quarterbacks’ spot on the list falls victim to an excellent roster as well. Their placement at No. 9 speaks more to the quality elsewhere than a lack of quality under center. Jimmy Garoppolo had a good first full season as a starter despite some imperfections, and he’s in a good spot to take more positive strides in 2020. Nick Mullens and CJ Beathard are both capable backups, although UDFA Broc Rutter will be an intriguing name to watch in whatever version of training camp the club gets. He could wind up sneaking into the QB3 job if he plays well.
10. Special teams
Robbie Gould struggled out of the gate last season, but finished strong and drilled a pair of game-winning kicks in New Orleans and at home against the Rams. He wound up missing a career-worst eight kicks. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky, a 2019 fourth-round pick, was excellent at dropping punts inside the 20 and booting them high enough to limit big returns. Where he struggles is launching kickoffs out of the end zone for touchbacks. His 51 percent touchback rate was 26th out of 31 kickers with 50 kickoffs.
11. Wide receivers
This is where it’s clear how spoiled the 49ers’ roster is. If they stay healthy, there’s a version of the receiving corps that is among the NFL’s best. Availability and consistent on-field production has been a problem though which is why they’re last on the list. Deebo Samuel is a rising star and Kendrick Bourne proved valuable as a third receiver. After them the pickings are slim. Rookie Brandon Aiyuk is an unknown commodity. 2019 third-round pick Jalen Hurd wasn’t healthy last year. Slot receiver Trent Taylor is good, but he’s dealt with injuries the last two years and missed all of last season. Veteran Travis Benjamin signed in the offseason, but he’s been banged up and unproductive since 2017. A post-season look at this list may be laughable with the receivers 11th, but an unproven group has to earn its higher ranking.
