At No. 13, the San Francisco 49ers are the second-highest-ranked non-playoff team in Dan Hanzus' latest power ranking for NFL.com. The Miami Dolphins are the only team that failed to reach the postseason that rank higher, sitting one spot above San Francisco at No. 12.
The 49ers only earned six wins this past season but are expected to be a much-improved team in 2021. An abundance of injuries played a significant role in the team's downfall, transforming the depth chart as early as Week 2.
The biggest 49ers-related storyline heading into the offseason is the quarterback position. Will the team look to upgrade from Jimmy Garoppolo? San Francisco reportedly inquired about Matthew Stafford, and a new report states that the Niners have at least reached out to the Philadelphia Eagles about Carson Wentz.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports stated over the weekend that San Francisco is "very interested" in Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who isn't available at the moment, and head coach Kyle Shanahan remains "very high" on New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.
"Matthew Stafford is off the table as an option, and the Texans appear steadfast in their refusal to trade Deshaun Watson (for now, anyway)," wrote Hanzus. "That would seem to increase the chances Jimmy Garoppolo gets another season in San Francisco, but use pencil to fill the injury-prone QB into your starting-lineup sheet. Other intriguing veteran options remain on the trade market, and the Niners could target a quarterback in the draft. Kyle Shanahan has not shown his hand the way the Rams did with Jared Goff -- which leaves us in a suspended state of blind speculation. Stay tuned."
Unlike ESPN's latest power ranking, Hanzus has the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers ranked above the runner-up Kansas City Chiefs at No. 1. As for the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks rank highest at No. 7, followed by the Los Angeles Rams at No. 8. The Arizona Cardinals sit three spots lower than San Francisco at No. 16.
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