There aren’t many bigger examples of how much the 49ers underachieved last season than their lack of presence on Doug Farrar’s list of the top 100 NFL players on the Touchdown Wire.
San Francisco’s only representation on the list is Joe Staley at No. 95, and George Kittle at No. 57. Two players is fine, but it’s abysmal for a club that expected to make the playoffs going into training camp last year.
The 2019 season means a new opportunity for some key players to make a name for themselves. Here are seven 49ers who missed TD Wire’s top 100 this year, but could be there next year:
DL DeForest Buckner
Buckner was probably the biggest snub on Farrar’s list. The defensive tackle was a wrecking machine with 12.0 sacks on an anemic defensive line last season. San Francisco’s less-than-stellar defensive production probably led to Buckner’s exclusion from the list. A better showing from that unit this year, combined with another double-digit sack season should put Buckner on the list at a respectable spot next season.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Quarterbacks are so important that any high level play likely gets them considered for a top 100 list. Garoppolo’s knee injury last year and relative lack of production forced him out for this year. Next year should be different if things go right for the 49ers’ signal caller. A fully healthy slate of games and another year in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense could make him an MVP candidate.
DE Dee Ford
It’s a bit of a surprise Ford missed the cut after being one of the NFL’s most disruptive edge rushers a season ago. He had 13 sacks and forced a league-high seven fumbles. Perhaps lack of longevity kept him from being named to the top 100 this year, but another season of double-digit sacks on a better defense should earn him a spot.
WR Dante Pettis
There’s a legitimate chance Pettis breaks 1,000 yards this season in a crowded offense. His route running and ability to create separation make him a perfect fit at any receiver spot in Shanahan’s offense. Pettis should post big-time production as long as the targets are there for him, and he’s open often enough that his workload should be plentiful.
LB Fred Warner
A Pro Bowl might be in Warner’s future if he builds on his terrific rookie season. The former third-round pick was stellar in coverage during his first year, but struggled at times with his tackling. An improvement in the latter while seeing his production increase in a more talented version of the defense could make him one of the NFL’s top linebackers by the end of this season.
RT Mike McGlinchey
It’s going to take some work, but the talent is there for McGlinchey to be among the league’s best tackles. He starred as a run blocker last season to help pave the way for a good 49ers rushing attack. His pass blocking left something to be desired though. Improving in that area to round out his game will elevate him into the realm of the TD Wire’s top 100 players.
DE Nick Bosa
The rookie can’t be on a top-100 list for a league he hasn’t played in. However, he has the skill set to quickly rise into that group. Bosa is a strong, athletic end who’ll have every opportunity to succeed in San Francisco. They’re leaning heavily on him to be a run stopper and a consistent terror for opposing quarterbacks. The premium on edge rushers should make Bosa a top-100 player if he checks both those boxes for the 49ers.
