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NFL Media analyst Adam Rank drew significant criticism from San Francisco 49ers fans after he
predicted a three-win season for the Kyle Shanahan-led squad. Obviously, he seriously underrated the team's potential.
In Rank's defense, no one could have predicted the 49ers to emerge as an NFC powerhouse and finish with the best record in the conference. Still, for The Faithful, a three-win prediction felt like a bit of an insult.
San Francisco is preparing to play in its first playoff game in six years, and its first-ever at Levi's Stadium. Rank, for what it's worth, has made a new prediction for the team.
No, it's better. You may want to stick around rather than browse away.
The analyst, during a conversation with 95.7 The Game on Wednesday, picked the 49ers to beat the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.
"I know I'd like to give the 49ers fans some reassurance by not picking them, but I feel so confident in them, I don't know how you can't," Rank explained on the
Bonta, Steiny and Guru show.
Added Rank: "I just don't see a situation where the 49ers are not going to be ready to play, where Dalvin Cook's going to be able to run the ball, or where Kirk Cousins is going to be able to throw the ball. I feel very confident in the 49ers right now."
Rank was then asked to look beyond this weekend and make his Super Bowl prediction.
"I think the Chiefs end up upsetting the Ravens in the AFC Championship," he responded. "I would pick the 49ers to just march, especially if the 49ers are playing the Packers in the NFC Championship Game. There's no way Green Bay wins that one. I would think San Francisco, Kansas City, that's the matchup we're going to see."
It is worth noting that Rank admits to being a Chicago Bears fan, so he probably wasn't going to side with the Packers.
Rank also discussed the reasoning behind his initial three-win prediction. He questioned how effective quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would be coming off of an ACL injury, the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver, the pass rush, and the defense's inability to force turnovers.
Garoppolo has played well this season, especially during the latter half of the schedule. The team upgraded its pass rush by drafting
Nick Bosa and trading for Dee Ford. The emergence of Arik Armstead was a bonus. The 49ers also pulled off a mid-season trade for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
Rank also failed to predict the Los Angeles Rams' downfall and felt the second half of the 49ers' schedule might be too much for the team to overcome.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rank below.
The news of Arik Armstead's departure from the San Francisco 49ers after nine seasons with the team shocked linebacker Fred Warner. Armstead, a former first-round pick, was an impactful force on the football field. However, his availability over the last two seasons forced the 49ers to reevaluate his contract, and when his salary could not be significantly reduced, the two sides parted ways.
"Huge surprise," Warner said of learning that Armstead was being released. "Ever since I've been here, we called him the blueprint for how to be a Niner. That was the longest-tenured Niner that's been here and a guy that's done it right through and through."
Warner has been in the NFL long enough to understand how the league works. Over the years, he's watched several
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
