The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a Super Bowl appearance and still have one of the best rosters in the NFL, so there wasn't too big a need for significant improvement. That's most of the reason why the Kyle Shanahan-led squad came in at No. 26 within ESPN's ranking of the NFL's most-improved teams.
The sports site lists wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and offensive tackle Joe Staley as the 49ers' most significant offseason losses. It also notes, however, the players added to replace each.
San Francisco drafted defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to replace Buckner, who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, and Sanders, who signed with the New Orleans Saints. San Francisco traded for Trent Williams to replace the retired Staley, and probably improved the tackle position in the process.
"To be fair, it's not easy to significantly improve a team that went to the Super Bowl," wrote Kevin Seifert. "The 49ers did a good job finding replacements for all three of their key losses, however. If nothing else, they gave themselves an excellent chance to be as competitive in 2020 as they were in 2019."
The least improved team, according to ESPN? The Los Angeles Rams, who the 49ers swept last season. The Seattle Seahawks sit at No. 30. Watch out, though. The Kyler Murray-led Arizona Cardinals came in at No. 7.
The most improved NFL squad? That would be the Miami Dolphins.
"Keep in mind that this does not consider how good or bad a team actually is," ESPN points out, "but rather only how the roster changed since last season. Miami isn't likely to top many lists this season, but the improvement bests the rest of the pack."
ESPN doesn't expect much from 49ers' Jordan James in Year 1
By David Bonilla
May 16
ESPN's Mike Clay evaluated the landscape for rookie NFL running backs, projecting the potential roles of several first-year players. Among them is Jordan James, whom the San Francisco 49ers selected in the fifth round of the draft out of Oregon. James joins a backfield led by...
ESPN expects 'fearless' draft pick to make immediate impact for 49ers
By David Bonilla
May 12
The San Francisco 49ers used their first two draft selections to reinforce the defensive line, aiming to build a dominant front for years to come. In the third round, they addressed another defensive need by selecting Oklahoma State linebacker Nick Martin, who could help fill...
ESPN reveals why Kurtis Rourke could thrive with the 49ers
By David Bonilla
May 15
The San Francisco 49ers were widely expected to target a quarterback in the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Still, few anticipated they'd take a chance on one recovering from ACL surgery—especially one who may not be ready to compete for a roster spot during training...
PFF names Jauan Jennings the most underrated 49ers player
By David Bonilla
May 14
Looking back, the San Francisco 49ers may wish they had locked up wide receiver Jauan Jennings with a longer deal than the two-year, $15.39 million contract he signed last offseason. Now entering the final year of that agreement, Jennings is expected to play a crucial role in...
