NFL power rankings: Vikings, Eagles fight for top spot
By Joe Schiller
13. San Francisco 49ers
No team ended the 2017 regular season more on a high than the 49ers. Riding Jimmy Garoppolo’s success, the team finished 5-0 and have quickly become a team in the playoff conversation. While it’s been such a small sample size for Kyle Shanahan, he and general manager John Lynch have made all the right moves.
The Niners entered the offseason as the most confident 6-10 in NFL history and for good reason. The momentum carried over from the regular season was coupled with a plethora of cap flexibility along with a top-10 draft pick. It’s provided the perfect opportunity for a quick rebuild, something the 49ers have been taking advantage of. An inconsistent and injury-riddled Carlos Hyde departs as Jerick McKinnon becomes the feature back. It’s very likely the team will add a physical north-south downhill runner through the draft but McKinnon is a huge addition.
The best move of all came even before the start of free agency. Signing Richard Sherman to a three-year deal is a win-win for both sides. Sherman has the opportunity to get a fresh start while the 49ers have a contract that doesn’t bind them to a cap problem. Best of all, Sherman gets to face off against the Seahawks twice a season. What fantastic television that’s going to make for.
It may be a bit too eager to put the 49ers at this spot, but they’re an exciting team loaded with potential. If the talent plays up to expectations, there’s a real chance they could move up further on the power rankings during the season.