The Lombardi Trophy has remained just out of reach for the 49ers, but the same core hopes to get back to the Big Game in February. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 12-5 (first in NFC West); lost to KC in SB
- Over/under: 11.5 wins
Notable additions
QB Joshua Dobbs, RB Matt Breida, RB Patrick Taylor, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, WR Robbie Chosen, OT Chris Hubbard, OT Brandon Parker, DE Leonard Floyd, DE Yetur Gross-Matos, DT Maliek Collins, DT Jordan Elliott, DT Nick Williams, LB De’Vondre Campbell Sr., CB Isaac Yiadom, CB Rock Ya-Sin, CB Chase Lucas, S Tracy Walker III, P Pressley Harvin III
Notable losses
QB Sam Darnold, WR Ray-Ray McCloud III, OT Matt Pryor, DE Chase Young, DE Clelin Ferrell, DE Randy Gregory, DT Arik Armstead, DT Javon Kinlaw, DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, LB Oren Burks, CB Kendall Sheffield, DB Isaiah Oliver, S Tashaun Gipson, S Logan Ryan, DC Steve Wilks
2024 draft class
WR Ricky Pearsall (1.31), CB Renardo Green (2.64), G Dominick Puni (3.86), S Malik Mustapha (4.124), RB Isaac Guerendo (4.129), WR Jacob Cowing (4.135), G Jarrett Kingston (6.215), LB Tatum Bethune (7.251)
Projected starters
QB: Brock Purdy
RB: Christian McCaffrey
FB: Kyle Juszczyk
WR: Deebo Samuel Sr.
WR: Brandon Aiyuk
TE: George Kittle
LT: Trent Williams
LG: Aaron Banks
C: Jake Brendel
RG: Spencer Burford
RT: Colton McKivitz
DE: Nick Bosa
DT: Javon Hargrave
DT: Maliek Collins
DE: Leonard Floyd
LB: Fred Warner
LB: De’Vondre Campbell Sr.
CB: Charvarius Ward
FS: Ji’Ayir Brown
SS: Talanoa Hufanga
SCB: Deommodore Lenoir
CB: Renardo Green (R)
2024 outlook
Perhaps the biggest storyline of the entire NFL offseason has been the status of Brandon Aiyuk, and it’s still not resolved with all smoke about the situation quieting down in recent days. That could mean the two sides are working to hammer out the final details of an extension (which is what my guess is), or it might just be Aiyuk weighing all his options with Pittsburgh said to be the destination if he’s traded. Especially after how San Francisco attacked the 2024 NFL Draft, I doubt Aiyuk would be a championship-crushing loss like some are suggesting, but we should get a resolution soon.
Assuming the 49ers do have Aiyuk on the field this season, their offense should pick up where it left off last year as Brock Purdy firmly established himself as a star quarterback with 4,280 passing yards and a 31:11 touchdown-interception ratio—and this is the first offseason he’ll have to come in as the clear and healthy starter after the elbow injury in 2023 and obviously being “Mr. Irrelevant” in 2022. The playmakers with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Aiyuk, George Kittle, and others (you can even count Trent Williams as a weapon on the offensive line) is tough to stop with Kyle Shanahan’s mind powering everything, so the intrigue would come to see how Ricky Pearsall and others would step up if Aiyuk is traded.
The defense is where I’m really excited about what the Niners this did offseason, as Leonard Floyd is a great complement to Nick Bosa on the edge, and the rookie defensive backs—Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha—could both be instant impact players. Mustapha will be more of a rotational third safety behind Talanoa Hufanga and Ji’Ayir Brown, but Green should immediate start either out wide or in the slot, and he was one of my favorite overall players in the 2024 class with terrific press-man ability. If Javon Hargrave can play closer to how he did in Philadelphia (11.0 sacks in 2022) under a new scheme, the defense should improve from a season ago.
Position battle to watch: Right guard
Spencer Burford has started in each of the past two seasons since being taken in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but third-round rookie Dominick Puni has been a standout through two preseason games—and Jon Feliciano remains in the mix after starting seven games last year. While I would project Burford to keep the job to begin the season, Puni is the guy to watch as the season progresses.
Breakout candidate: S Ji’Ayir Brown
Brown already came on strong as a rookie by becoming a full-time player following the torn ACL for Talanoa Hufanga last November, and he even intercepted Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LVIII while totaling double-digit tackles in each playoff outing. The former Penn State standout could easily record a handful of interceptions behind what they anticipate being an improved cornerback group.
Circle on the calendar: Week 7 (v KC) | Sunday, October 20 – 4:25 PM ET
A Super Bowl rematch is one of the top games on the NFL calendar, and the 49ers will get to host the defending champions as they look for some revenge—perhaps also giving us a preview of Super Bowl LIX with the 2024 versions of each squad. I’ll be excited to watch the new-look, speed-heavy wideouts for the Chiefs try to get free from Charvarius Ward, Renardo Green, and the boosted secondary for the Niners.
Bottom line
The 49ers led 10-0 in the Super Bowl and were up with 1:53 left in regulation and then again in overtime, so it’s fair to wonder how much heartbreak they can handle. Still, the team is loaded with talent and should be right with Detroit and Philadelphia as top NFC contenders.