Roster Changes

 

Key additions

WR Travis Benjamin, OT Trent Williams, G Tom Compton, DE Kerry Hyder, LB Joe Walker

 

Key losses

WR Emmanuel Sanders, WR Jordan Matthews, TE Levine Toilolo, OT Joe Staley, DE Anthony Zettel, DE Damontre Moore, DT DeForest Buckner, DT Sheldon Day, DT Ethan Westbrooks

 

2020 draft class

DT Javon Kinlaw (1.14), WR Brandon Aiyuk (1.25), OT Colton McKivitz (5.153), TE Charlie Woerner (6.190), WR Jauan Jennings (7.217)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Jimmy Garoppolo
RB: Tevin Coleman
FB: Kyle Juszczyk
WR: Deebo Samuel
WR: Brandon Aiyuk
TE: George Kittle
LT: Trent Williams
LG: Laken Tomlinson
C: Weston Richburg
RG: Daniel Brunskill
RT: Mike McGlinchey

 

Defense

DE: Nick Bosa
DT: Arik Armstead
DT: Javon Kinlaw
DE: Dee Ford
OLB: Kwon Alexander
MLB: Fred Warner
OLB: Dre Greenlaw
CB: Richard Sherman
CB: Emmanuel Moseley
S: Jimmie Ward
S: Jaquiski Tartt

 

Team Outlook

 

Biggest strength: Defensive line

The current San Francisco roster was built in the trenches, and the addition of Nick Bosa last season was a big reason for their ascension to the top of the NFC. Bosa being even better in 2020 is a scary thought, and he should have close to the same level of talent alongside him with Arik Armstead, Dee Ford, and rookie Javon Kinlaw (replacing DeForest Buckner) in the starting lineup and Solomon Thomas leading the reinforcements off the bench. The ability to control things up front is reason to believe the 49ers won’t disappoint following a Super Bowl loss.

 

Biggest weakness: Perimeter cornerback

This is more of a projection than other weaknesses around the league (it’s difficult to pinpoint a clear weakness for San Francisco’s roster), but Richard Sherman is now entering his age-32 campaign, and I would not be surprised to see him challenged more in coverage after being exposed a couple of times down the stretch last year. At right cornerback, Emmanuel Moseley showed well when he entered the starting lineup for last year’s Super Bowl run, so he will need to keep it up as a full-time player in 2020. Fortunately, the pass rush is key in cutting down coverage time for Sherman and others.

 

Position battle to watch: Running back

Raheem Mostert could have easily been listed as the projected starter, but even in the playoffs when the former special teams standout was going off, Tevin Coleman started every game. Both guys will play—and Jerick McKinnon (knee) might finally make his team debut—but I think Coleman may top the depth chart because of his ability to catch passes out of the backfield, stone defenders in pass protection, and convert in short-yardage situations. No matter who starts, Kyle Shanahan will get the most out of his backfield.

 

One more thought

There is nothing wrong with thinking about a run at six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, but people are crazy if they believe there are realistic upgrades sitting around to replace Jimmy Garoppolo. In his first year as a full-time starter (coming off a torn ACL), Garoppolo went 13-3, threw for 27 touchdowns, and was up ten points in the Super Bowl. For his career, Jimmy G is now 21-5 in the regular season, and he’s yet to have a core group of starting receivers carry over from one year to the next. Quarterback isn’t a question mark for the Niners.

 

Early over/under: 10.5 wins (via FOX Bet)

Over. I thought I might be under on San Francisco, but their roster remains strong in the trenches on both sides of the ball after trading for Trent Williams, and the offense should be rolling following a full year of Garoppolo being under center. The tough midseason stretch (v LAR, @ NE, @ SEA, v GB, @ NO, @ LAR, v BUF) should be fun to watch them try to get through.