After adding Richard Sherman, Jerick McKinnon, and others this offseason, do the 49ers have a strong enough roster to potentially make the playoffs in 2018?
Projected Starters
Offense
QB: Jimmy Garoppolo
RB: Jerick McKinnon
WR: Pierre Garcon
WR: Marquise Goodwin
WR: Trent Taylor
TE: George Kittle
LT: Joe Staley
LG: Laken Tomlinson
C: Weston Richburg
RG: Jonathan Cooper
RT: Mike McGlinchey
Defense
DE: Solomon Thomas
DT: DeForest Buckner
DT: Earl Mitchell
DE: Arik Armstead
OLB: Malcolm Smith
MLB: Reuben Foster
CB: Richard Sherman
CB: Ahkello Witherspoon
CB: D.J. Reed
S: Adrian Colbert
S: Jaquiski Tartt
Roster Notes/Thoughts
Notable depth
QB C.J. Beathard, RB Matt Breida, RB Joe Williams, FB Kyle Juszczyk, WR Kendrick Bourne, WR Dante Pettis, OT Garry Gilliam, G Josh Garnett, TE Garrett Celek, DE Jeremiah Attaochu, DE Cassius Marsh, DE Kentavius Street, DT Sheldon Day, MLB Brock Coyle, OLB Eli Harold, OLB Korey Toomer, LB Fred Warner, CB K’Waun Williams, DB Jimmie Ward, S Tarvarius Moore
Biggest strength: Offensive tackle
The defensive line or quarterback were also options, but with six-time Pro Bowler Joe Staley and No. 10 overall pick Mike McGlinchey bookending the offensive line at left and right tackle, respectively, San Francisco should have no problem protecting their franchise signal-caller this season. And both guys are athletic enough to lead the way in space for Jerick McKinnon.
Biggest weakness: Linebacker
There isn’t a glaring weakness on the roster, but linebacker certainly has the potential to be if Reuben Foster doesn’t stay out of trouble. The 2017 first-round pick looked like an elite linebacker as a rookie, but while he is apparently in the clear after legal troubles earlier this year, I highly doubt the team suddenly has no worries about Foster’s short- and long-term availability. San Francisco has depth, but no backups would bring close to the impact that the Alabama product does.
Position battle to watch: Wide receiver
Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin would seemingly be set atop the depth chart, but the 49ers have a handful of options that could all have a role in Kyle Shanahan’s offense this year. I think it will mostly be Trent Taylor in the slot, but second-round pick Dante Pettis is going to be involved, and Kendrick Bourne is apparently impressing this offseason.
Early over/under: 8.5 wins (via Odds Shark)
Over. I don’t feel all that confident in the over, but San Francisco has all the pieces in place to build on Jimmy Garoppolo’s 5-0 record to close out the 2017 season. Perhaps most importantly, the trenches should be great with an above-average offensive line and an emerging defensive line that includes three former first-round picks.
Very interesting team this year.
Super Bowl.
I keep forgetting they have Sherm now.
This roster is stronger than I thought.
They might win the division.