Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
‘Watch out for this team next year’: Where the 49ers fall in final 2020 season power rankings
The 2020 season didn't go as planned for the San Francisco 49ers. After coming off a disappointing Super Bowl loss, the team had lofty hopes and looked to make amends for the heartbreaking defeat by once again competing for a championship.
An insurmountable number of injuries quickly transformed the roster, and the 49ers were unable to recover, finishing with a 6-10 record and missing the playoffs.
The 49ers are expected to bounce back next season, assuming they can safely navigate an uncertain offseason. The team had nearly 40 players playing on the final year of their contracts and have to deal with what is sure to be a greatly reduced salary cap.
"We just finished a 6-10 season, and we understand there's a lot of reasons that led to that, but that's not to our standard, and so we have to improve," general manager John Lynch said this week.
Some "experts" took one last look back at the 2020 season, ranking each of the 32 NFL teams. Of course, the 49ers are ranked based on the team's status as it finished the season, and not necessarily the potential it has headed into 2021.
Below is a sample of some of the more prominent power rankings around the web and where San Francisco finished within each. Neither ESPN nor Bleacher Report, which I typically include here, released power rankings after the regular season's conclusion.
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 15
Previous rank: 14
"This ranking shows a lot of respect for a squad that ultimately finished 6–10. Needless to say the 49ers will be higher next preseason when their long list of injured players can return." — The MMQB staff
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 21
Previous rank: 21
"Finishing under .500 a year after nearly winning the Super Bowl would represent great disappointment for any team, but the Niners deserve credit for keeping their dignity intact while grinding through a snakebitten season. San Francisco has a big decision to make at quarterback, where the high-priced and injury-prone
Jimmy Garoppolo currently sits atop the depth chart, but Kyle Shanahan will also likely be tasked with finding a new leader for his defense. Robert Saleh is coming off an excellent season in which San Francisco finished fifth in total defense despite an avalanche of injuries and COVID-19 madness. A hot name on the coaching carousel, Saleh will almost certainly get one of the open big chairs." — Dan Hanzus
USA Today
Current Ranking: 24
Previous rank: 24
"Kinda crazy to think Kyle Shanahan's four-year record with Niners is 29-35, though it's certainly not indicative of his coaching abilities." — Nate Davis
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 25
Previous rank: 25
"Watch out for this team next year. The injuries crippled them this season, but there is still a lot of talent. They could lose defensive coordinator Robert Saleh when he likely becomes a head coach." — Pete Prisco
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers GM John Lynch ranked No. 9 in power rankings
By David Bonilla
Apr 16, 2021
In the span of a couple of years, general manager John Lynch helped turn around one of the most talent-deprived rosters in the league and build a contender. That roster made it to the Super Bowl during its 2019 campaign. That's pretty impressive, and it was an effort good enough to contribute to Lynch being ranked No. 9 in Gregg Rosenthal's recent general manager power rankings for NFL.com.
Sure, Lynch and company have made some blunders along the way. There were much better options than selecting defensive lineman Solomon Thomas or linebacker Reuben Foster in the first round of their first draft in 2017. But that same draft also saw San Francisco adding All-Pro tight end
Watch: Justin Fields throws at second pro day in front of 49ers, other NFL teams
By David Bonilla
Apr 14, 2021
There was no media coverage of Justin Fields' second pro day in Columbus, Ohio. However, the Ohio State football program posted the following video on Instagram (shared by Jake Hutchinson of KNBR) featuring several throws by the former Buckeye quarterback from today's workout.
Some of Justin Fields' throws from his second pro day today, via @OhioStateFB's Instagram story pic.twitter.com/UDKIf1vzkE— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel)
Watch: Trey Lance throws at second pro day in front of 49ers, other NFL teams
By David Bonilla
Apr 19, 2021
As was the case for last week's second pro day for Justin Fields of Ohio State, there was no media coverage for Trey Lance's second workout in Fargo, North Dakota. A handful of teams, made up of the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, and Denver Broncos, were on hand to watch the former North Dakota State Bison throw passes.
While neither fans nor the media could view the throwing session, North Dakota State football's official Twitter account provided a glimpse of the workout.
Note: I'll add more videos here, should they become available. So, check back
Silver: Cornerstone pieces make the 49ers the team to beat in 2021
By David Bonilla
Apr 16, 2021
NFL Media analyst Michael Silver has a lot of belief in the San Francisco 49ers' chances of competing during the upcoming season. He feels head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad can bounce back from its disappointing injury-plagued 2020 campaign and has the pieces in place to become the team to beat in 2021.
"I think they're going to come back strong," Silver told Steve Wyche and Judy Battista on NFL Network's Total Access. "You saw the bold move to trade up for the No. 3 pick. They're going to get a quarterback of Kyle Shanahan's choosing, and you're going to have a lot of difference-makers out there on that field."
San Francisco has put itself in a position to acquire one of the top quarterback prospects in this month's draft. Right now, Justin Fields of
