The season is coming. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today we head to Silicon Valley and the San Francisco 49ers. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
Once again, San Francisco grazed the Grail without managing to seize it. Unlucky finalists like in 2019, the 49ers once again came up against the colossus Mahomes. The regular season was rather a long, quiet river (best record in the NFC). On the other hand, the men from the Bay had a few cold sweats in the playoffs. They were manhandled against the young Packers in the Divisional Round, then behind by 17 points in the NFC final against the Lions before a fantastic comeback.
Will the few adjustments made in the offseason allow the 49ers to take the final step?
Last season: 12 wins, 5 losses, first in NFC West
Off-season movements
Notable Arrivals: Brandon Staley (Assistant Head Coach), Joshua Dobbs (QB), Leonard Floyd (DE), Maliek Collins (DT), Jordan Elliott (DT), Yetur Gross-Matos (DE), Eric Saubert (TE), De 'Vondre Campbell (LB), Isaac Yiadom (CB)
Re-signings: Jauan Jennings (WR), Jon Feliciano (OG), Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (LB), Kevin Givens (DT), Alex Barrett (DT)
Draft: Ricky Pearsall (WR), Renardo Green (CB), Dominick Puni (OG), Malik Mustapha (S), Isaac Guerendo (RB), Jacob Cowing (WR), Jarrett Kingston (OL), Tatum Bethune (LB)
Notable Losses: Steve Wilks (Defensive Coordinator), Klint Kubiak (Passing Game Coordinator), Arik Armstead (DT), Chase Young (DE), Javon Kinlaw (DT), Sam Darnold (QB), Clelin Ferrell (DE), Randy Gregory (LB), Sebastian Joseph-Day (DT), Ray-Ray McCloud (WR), Charlie Woerner (TE), Isaiah Oliver (CB)
An ultra-complete team (the most complete in the NFL?), the Californian franchise therefore only had one major project to manage during the offseason: the turnover of the defensive line. Too costly in view of current salary negotiations (Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams) and future ones (Brock Purdy), veteran Arik Armstead was thanked after 9 seasons of good and loyal service. Also gone are the former first-round draft picks: Javon Kinlaw, Chase Young and Clelin Ferrell have a disappointing record (9.5 sacks combined) and have therefore left the ship.
To rebuild this line that had only two pillars (Nick Bosa on the outside, Javon Hargrave on the inside), San Francisco combined sure values, players with potential and discreet but effective signings.
For the side ” Star Power“, it's pass rusher Leonard Floyd (10.5 sacks in 2023 in Buffalo, best season in his career) who comes to the rescue. In addition, Yetur Gross-Matos came to provide depth in the hope of finally reaching his full potential. Finally, the 49ers also managed to attract defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott. These two beautiful babies peak around 130 kg and are particularly effective against the running game.
The rest of free agency and the draft will have been devoted to providing depth at all positions. Developing tomorrow's starters: a strategy that has paid off since the arrival of the Kyle Shanahan/John Lynch duo in the Bay.
The San Francisco 49ers' 2024 All-Star Team
Quarterback: Brock Purdy – Running Back: Christian McCaffrey – Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk – Receivers: Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel – Tight End: George Kittle – Offensive Line (left to right): Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni , Colton McKivitz
Defensive Line: Nick Bosa, Maliek Collins, Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd – Linebackers: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw*, De'Vondre Campbell – Cornerback: Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir – Safety: Talanoa Hufanga*, Ji'Ayir Brown
* Both players are recovering from torn cruciate ligaments and could miss the start of the season.
The strong points: playmakers all over the field
Over the seasons and through trades, the San Francisco 49ers have built a dream roster. They are to the NFL what the Avengers are to superheroes. It's simple, the Niners have at least one superstar on each line. Some franchises don't have any on their entire roster.
While his intrinsic quality is still debated among fans, quarterback Brock Purdy finished the season with the league's best QB Rating and a fourth-place finish in MVP voting. Indeed, Purdy's accomplishments are often attributed to his oversized casting.
Receivers Deebo Samuel (1x All Pro) and Brandon Aiyuk (1x All Pro), tight end George Kittle (4x All-Pro) and running back Christian McCaffrey (4x All Pro, Offensive Player of the Year) are among the league's best at their positions.
Since the Niners never have enough, Trent Williams (4x All-Pro) is the one who plays the crucial left tackle position. Even at the outdated fullback position, the Niners have an All-Pro: Kyle Juszscyk.
On the defensive side, the armada is just as impressive. Nick Bosa (Defender of the Year, 1x All-Pro) and Javon Hargrave (2x Pro Bowl) terrorize opposing offensive lines. The middle of the field is privatized by Fred Warner (3x All-Pro), the best linebacker in the league. Finally, in the backfield, Charvarius Ward (1x All-Pro) and Talanoa Hufanga (1x All-Pro) are powerhouses. highlights.
On the sidelines, head coach Kyle Shanahan is also one of the great architects of the 49ers' victories. Often overused, the term offensive genius really applies to Shanahan. Mike Shanahan's son manages to evolve his offense each season in order to always be one step ahead. San Francisco's offensive system is based on numerous pre-snap movements. The running patterns include drop-offs by offensive linemen. Players are also used in unconventional roles (Deebo Samuel as a runner, McCaffrey as a receiver for example). Confusing for opponents.
In 2023, the San Francisco 49ers had the best average of yards gained per pass (8.4 yards gained per pass attempted). On the ground: fourth best average for each run (4.8 yards per run attempted). A perfectly balanced offensive system whose result is ambiguous. With 6.6 yards covered for each offensive action, no one does better in the league.
Weak Point(s): The San Francisco 49ers' offensive line
So we understand that the attack of the men of the Bay is extremely dynamic. The downside is that the offensive pattern of ground play called ” Zone Blocking » requires some pretty special offensive linemen. They have to be very mobile and explosive. So we necessarily find lighter players, less anchored and therefore more vulnerable in pass protection. Unless your name is Trent Williams (the tree that hides the forest).
The other players on that line are more worrisome, and the further away from Williams you get, the more concerned you are about Brock Purdy's health. A lot of points were lost by the inability of the right side of the line to block Kansas City's defenders (1 sack and 11 QB hits!) in the Super Bowl.
To a lesser extent, the team's defensive backs are also a question mark. Who will be the cornerback opposite Charvarius Ward? Who will play nickelback? And what will the safeties pairing be until Hufanga returns?
X-Factor: Nick Sorensen (San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator)
Despite an almost idyllic season in terms of accounting, San Francisco has thanked its defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. After the young and energetic profiles of the two previous coordinators (Robert Saleh then DeMeco Ryans), the more limited dynamism of the fifty-year-old has not really created communion with the executives of the locker room. Nick Bosa, for example, had criticized Wilks' defensive schemes. As a symbol: Wilks' desire not to follow the games on the sidelines with his players. The ex-Panther preferred to be in the booth, in contrast to his predecessors.
San Francisco has favored the choice of internal promotion by elevating to the position of defensive coordinator the former safety Nick Sorensen (46 years old), previously coach of the back lines.
The strategy had paid off with DeMeco Ryans, who had risen through the ranks (assistant coach, then linebackers coach and finally defensive coordinator). If California's defense regains its ferocity and unpredictability, the Niners could be unplayable on both sides of the ball. The talent is there for that.
Player to watch: Dominick Puni (Guard)
A third-round pick in April, Dominick Puni impressed in the preseason. The former Kansas Jayhawks, for example, completely neutralized star Cameron Jordan against the Saints. A flying debut, so much so that Kyle Shanahan has already propelled him to the starting right guard position.
The future star of the Rouge et Or offensive line may already be here.
San Francisco 49ers Schedule:
Jets, @Vikings, @Rams, Patriots, Cardinals, @Seahawks, Chiefs, Cowboys, BYE, @Buccaneers, Seahawks, @Packers, @Bills, Bears, Rams, @Dolphins, Lions, @Cardinals
The audio preview of the podcast:
In summary
So, no upheaval in San Francisco. The team is coming off an overtime loss to the terrifying Patrick Mahomes, so it has nothing to be ashamed of. The Niners are still taking advantage of Brock Purdy's rookie contract to be loaded with stars at every position. The team can confidently begin its conquest of a title that has eluded it for 30 years.
Beware of a tricky schedule, which crosses the AFC East and the NFC North, filled with good teams.
