Should the 49ers get the benefit of the doubt, or was what we saw in 2024 a sign of things to come? Kyle Posey is the Senior Producer at Niners Nation and has covered the 49ers since 2019. Kyle was an FCS wide receiver in college and has coached high school football for 8+ years. He’s written for several sites and appeared on numerous podcasts. His extensive football history, paired with an accounting background, helps Kyle take an analytical and statistical approach to breaking down and covering the Niners.
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Experts and analysts will project how teams will look heading into the 2025 season. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has the latest projections. Fowler placed all 32 teams into 11 different tiers, from “major contenders” to “still rebuilding.”
The San Francisco 49ers have earned the benefit of the doubt during Kyle Shanahan’s regime of being a team that’ll be among the best in the NFC. But, according to Fowler, the 49ers are “stuck in the middle” along with the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and Indianapolis Colts:
Average age of roster: 27.8
Salary cap space: -$21.6 million
Total 2025 draft picks (projected): 8
What’s next: The 49ers’ subpar 2024 shouldn’t prompt a full rebuild. And, really, is there any choice but to run it back? The roster is saddled with bloated salaries only suitable for a win-now plan. Scaling back in parts is a sound strategy — and the 49ers are doing so by designating defensive tackle Javon Hargrave a post-June 1 cut and seeking to trade wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. Once those two moves are made, the 49ers can focus on a Brock Purdy extension. Star tight end George Kittle also is a year from free agency. Where San Francisco needs to improve is along the offensive line; it was thin before guard Aaron Banks was set to reach free agency.
The qualifier for this tier was “but a move or two away.” If you’re the Niners, that move could be as simple as getting healthy and welcoming back Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and Brandon Aiyuk.
San Francisco is in a position to add an impact player in the first round. They’re also picking early enough in the second round to add a difference-maker. If this draft resembles anything like 2024, finding a starter isn’t limited to the first two days of the draft.
In an offseason where players like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Micah Parsons, and Trey Hendrickson could be on the trade block, the front office might find more value in the trading market.
As we discussed on Wednesday, not every move has to break the bank. Plenty of free agents are available that would supplement the Niners’ depth at multiple positions.
Is it fair for ESPN to put the Niners in a tier similar to the teams mentioned above? Or is that too much of an overreaction to what happened in 2024 and ignoring their previous successful seasons?