San Francisco 49ers will win the NFC West in 2020, and here's why

San Francisco 49ers will win the NFC West in 2020, and here’s 5 reasons why

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 29: Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after stopping Jacob Hollister #48 of the Seattle Seahawks short of the goal line during the game at CenturyLink Field on December 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 26-21. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 16: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins blocks against the Indianapolis Colts at FedExField on September 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

3. The addition of Trent Williams

The 49ers got the top two players on their board in the first round of the 2020 draft by selecting Javon Kinlaw and Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, however, their headline addition came on day three.

San Francisco struck a trade with the Washington Redskins for seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, sending a 2020 fifth-round pick and a 2021 third-round selection to Washington to acquire him as a replacement for Joe Staley, who retired citing injury concerns.

While Staley was playing at a very high level despite battling injuries that made his final season in the league an arduous one, Williams is an upgrade for the Niners at the position.

At 31 years old, he is younger than Staley and should be refreshed after sitting out 2019 due to dispute with the Redskins.

Presuming Williams is the same player he was prior to 2019, there is unlikely to be a drop-off in the protection Garoppolo will receive on his blind side.

With Williams’ physical attributes and his knowledge of the zone-blocking scheme used in the Shanahan scheme from the Niners head coach’s time in Washington, a San Francisco run game that was second in the NFL in total rush yards and 12th in Football Outsiders DVOA could be even more effective in 2020.

The success of the 49ers’ offense has been built on what they can do with their rushing attack. The chances of the rest of the NFC West slowing them down are slim should Williams hit the ground running on his return to the field.