NFL power rankings: Training camp edition
By Brad Weiss
San Francisco 49ers
, NFC West
The Chip Kelly-era in San Francisco is officially over, and the organization decided to make their next hire a long-term one. The 49ers brought in former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to be their head coach, inking him to a six-year deal. That deal coincides with new general manager John Lynch’s deal, giving the two men some time to turn this thing around in San Francisco.
One of the best moves of the 2017 NFL Draft came early in round one, when Lynch fleeced the Chicago Bears to move down one spot and pick up some draft picks. The Bears selected Mitchell Trubisky at No. 2, a player the 49ers were not targeting, and they were able to get their guy, Solomon Thomas, at No. 3. At the end of the first round, the 49ers once again added to their defensive, bringing in Alabama linebacker, Reuben Foster.
Both Lynch and Shanahan have their work cut out for them, and they could be in line for another high draft pick in 2018. As the organization tries to put the Colin Kaepernick-era in the rearview mirror, Brian Hoyer was brought in to be the team’s starting quarterback, and he should bring veteran leadership to the roster. On offense, the team also brought in wide receiver Pierre Garcon, giving them a good player at the top of their depth chart at the position.
The defense should be better, and running back Carlos Hyde should be in for another 1,000-yard season. Both Thomas and Foster figure to play big roles for the defense in their rookie seasons, and the addition of Elvis Dumervil and Malcolm Smith should improve depth alongside NaVorro Bowman at linebacker. Still, this team is going to struggle to play consistent football, and could be in line to draft one of the big-name quarterbacks at the top of the 2018 NFL Draft board.