Casserly's list aired on NFL Network, and the 49ers portion kicked off with video of general manager John Lynch smiling during a team practice.
"John Lynch, I'd be smiling too if Mike McGlinchey was my first-round pick, the best tackle in the draft," Casserly said. "Richard Sherman, he was playing at a top level when he got hurt last year. Jerick McKinnon will shine with Kyle Shanahan calling the plays."
Other than McGlinchey, Sherman, and McKinnon, all of whom Casserly mentioned, the 49ers made a number of other moves to improve the roster this offseason. The team made Jimmy Garoppolo its franchise quarterback by signing him to a five-year deal worth up to $137.5 million, which was the largest NFL contract at the time. San Francisco signed center Weston Richburg along with McKinnon at the start of free agency in March. And all of this was before the team's nine draft selections in April.
McKinnon, who replaces three-year starter Carlos Hyde, is expected to be paired with running back Matt Breida. Hyde signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. Other departed starters include safety Eric Reid, cornerback Donate Johnson, and center Daniel Kilgore. The 49ers have a lot of faith in their younger safeties and Sherman, if healthy, is an upgrade over Johnson. San Francisco traded Kilgore to the Miami Dolphins following the signing of Richburg.
The four other teams on Casserly's list were the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New York Jets.