The losses to the roster are impactful, but the belief in Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers offense is a cause for optimism
The NFL Draft is 36 days away at Lambeau Field. Free agency is in its second week, and the signings are slowing down after a flurry of moves in the first week. The 49ers have addressed their special teams with their free-agent signings. WR Demarcus Robinson and TE Luke Ferrell are the only signings with a chance to start for the 49ers in 2025. Ferrell replaced Charlie Woerner’s role as the primary blocking tight end, and Robinson figures to see plenty of snaps given the depth of the wide receiver room and Brandon Aiyuk’s recovery from his devastating knee injury in 2024.
A fun exercise is evaluating rosters and signings following the first wave of free agency before the draft commences. Realistically, the skeleton of 53-man rosters is in place, but the draft will finalize the other spots on the opening week rosters.
How do the 49ers rank in the pre-draft power rankings across the league?
Pro Football Focus – The 49ers rank number 17
Mason Cameron of PFF has the 49ers just outside of the top 15 and writes: “A wave of key departures made for a difficult free-agency period for the 49ers. Deebo Samuel, Aaron Banks and Dre Greenlaw were among those who found new teams, while San Francisco made few notable additions. The lack of movement is likely tied to the looming contract extension for Brock Purdy.
Without many key contributors, the 49ers will have to navigate the NFC West at a disadvantage. However, with elite talents like Trent Williams, Nick Bosa and a healthy Christian McCaffrey, they still have enough firepower to remain competitive.”
The 49ers are set on the offensive side of the ball, but an upgrade at center is needed. As of now, the 49ers offense will have to do the heavy lifting for the team to win games.
The Score – The 49ers rank 20th in the NFL
The staff of the The Score have the 49ers ranked behind the Steelers and ahead of the Atlanta Falcons after the first week of free agency.
San Francisco still has blue-chip players at key positions, but the 49ers will be severely weakened after an offseason exodus that included Deebo Samuel, Charvarius Ward, and Dre Greenlaw.
Depth is a concern for the 49ers, but their weapons are back on offense.
NFL.com – The 49ers move up three spots to number 18
Eric Edholm of NFL.com is more optimistic about the 49ers in 2025 than the general consensus.
In just the first week of the new year, the 49ers have lost Jaylon Moore and Aaron Banks on the offensive line, Talanoa Hufanga and Charvarius Ward in the secondary, Dre Greenlaw and Javon Hargrave in the front seven, offensive chess piece Deebo Samuel and others.
All while adding mostly reserves on lower-end contracts. San Francisco has four picks in the top 100, including the 11th overall selection, plus two fourth-rounders, but that draft currency is only going to bear so much fruit in Year 1. It’s arguable that no other NFC West team has dramatically upgraded its roster so far, but it’s beyond a stretch to suggest that the Niners have gained ground on the rest of the division after a last-place finish. A star-focused nucleus and Kyle Shanahan’s wizardry remain in place to fall back on, but the lack of talent/depth at certain positions is a bit scary for now.
USA Today – The 49ers are on the cusp of the top ten
Nate Davis of USA Today is the highest on the 49ers post-free agency.
Perhaps no organization is facing a wider variance of potential outcomes than this one, the Niners banking on comeback seasons by QB Brock Purdy, RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Brandon Aiyuk (if not on departed – to Green Bay – G Aaron Banks). But once and future DC Robert Saleh has a lot of work ahead of him with a younger, seemingly less-talented unit.
The 49ers moved up seven spots from 17 to 11 in USA Today’s power rankings as the belief in the 49ers offense is driving optimism.
Where do you think the 49ers rank following the first week of free agency? Let us know in the comments!