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NFL power rankings: Saints, Chargers lead way into 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) talk during a TV timeout during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) talk during a TV timeout during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 16: San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan congratulates San Francisco 49ers’ Garrett Celek (88) on his touchdown catch against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (Photo by Nhat V. Meyer/Digital First Media/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 16: San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan congratulates San Francisco 49ers’ Garrett Celek (88) on his touchdown catch against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (Photo by Nhat V. Meyer/Digital First Media/The Mercury News via Getty Images) /

28. team. 42. . . . San Francisco 49ers

2019 Key Additions: A team that hasn’t seen the playoffs since 2013 has its share of new faces thanks to a nice combination of free-agent additions and eight draft picks. As for the latter, Ohio State’s Nick Bosa should improve the pass rush. Niners’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who missed the final 13 games of 2018, should be excited regarding the additions of wide receivers Deebo Samuel (2-South Carolina) and Jalen Hurd (3-Baylor). But arguably the team’s most significant newcomer may be former Atlanta Falcons’ running back Tevin Coleman. The versatile performer knows Kyle Shanahan’s system and is tremendous insurance should Jerick McKinnon (who missed all of 2018) not bounce back this year.

Offseason Review: The selection of Bosa with the second overall pick marked the fourth time in five years that the franchise used a first-round pick on the defensive front. Of course, this is a team looking to improve a defense of unit that a year ago set dubious NFL records for fewest takeaways and fewest interceptions in a season fixit team not defensive unit. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh should make the most of not only the former Buckeye but newcomers such as pass rushing standout Dee Ford and linebackers Kwon Alexander and David Mayo. The 49ers are a combined 25-55 the last five seasons.

Next: No. 27

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