The San Francisco 49ers feel like they added a lot of talent this offseason. Enough talent that, when paired with the players who they felt good about going into last season, could help the team finally turn a corner and find success.
General manager John Lynch spoke with 49ers.com reporter, Keiana Martin, before Monday's practice and discussed the state of the team as it prepares for the 2019 season. Lynch believes he and head coach Kyle Shanahan were able to bring in several game-changing players this offseason who can finish plays. Names like pass rushers Dee Ford and Nick Bosa, and running back Tevin Coleman quickly rolled off the GM's tongue.
Lynch also mentioned a returning player, running back Jerick McKinnon, who missed all of last season due to an ACL injury, and the re-signing of a cornerstone along the offensive line, veteran tackle Joe Staley.
"When you talk about all those top-line players, Richard Sherman, we feel like is going to be a lot closer to health and the guy that we've all seen in this league," Lynch told Martin. "So when you get game-changing players throughout your roster, but then you add to the depth, it feels a lot better.
"Now, is it a complete roster? No, no one is in this league. It's always fluid. You're always trying to improve, and it's a challenge once you get really good to keep people around.
"We've got to prove that we are good. We haven't done anything. We've won 10 games in two years, and that's not good enough, and we understand that. But we are excited that, this year, we're going to have a chance to really win a lot of football games because of what I talked about on our roster, both in the number of game-changing players that you need in this league and then the depth."
Lynch acknowledges that there will be injuries this season. That is almost impossible to avoid in a game as physical and demanding as football. The GM just feels that the 49ers are better equipped to respond when injuries take place.
Lynch also touched on the following points:
- The wide receivers group is young but can't act like it. Expect rookies Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd to earn their opportunities and be a big part of the offense.
- The 49ers believe that second-year wide receiver Dante Pettis' ability is limitless. The team is also excited about third-year receiver Trent Taylor.
- Lynch expects the defensive backs to make a leap forward with an improved pass rush in front of them. Ahkello Witherspoon versus Jason Verrett is a competition to watch. "I think, in the end, we really feel strong about that group," Lynch said.