In a special for ESPN, Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus ranked the top rosters in the NFL. Understandably, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came in at No. 1 with their entire Super Bowl roster returning in 2021. They are followed by the Super Bowl runner-up Kansas City Chiefs and then the Cleveland Browns.
The ranking is based on a combination of Pro Football Focus grades in 2020 and each starter's career using the analytics site's past grades and statistics.
Where do the San Francisco 49ers fall within the ranking? You have to scroll down past the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos to find Kyle Shanahan's squad.
Why the lower-than-expected ranking? While there is confidence in some star players like tight end George Kittle, there are quarterback concerns. The team's slated starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, has missed 23 games over the past three seasons. San Francisco drafted Trey Lance at No. 3 overall to be Garoppolo's eventual successor. Still, the rookie is expected to use the upcoming season to learn behind the veteran passer — assuming Garoppolo can stay healthy.
Linsey feels that Lance also has his own question marks entering his first NFL season.
"Jimmy Garoppolo has struggled to stay healthy and earned just a 67.5 PFF grade last season while playing through injury," wrote Linsey. "Trey Lance's ability as a runner would raise the floor of the offense if he does earn the starting job, but Lance has legitimate experience and accuracy concerns coming out of North Dakota State. Neither is an ideal candidate to lead a team pushing for a Super Bowl in 2021."
Linsey does list an X factor among the roster. That would be another injury-plagued player, this time on the defensive side of the football. While the analyst doesn't feel defensive end Dee Ford will return to his pre-49ers form, any contribution from the talented pass rusher could be beneficial.
"Ford isn't going to turn back into the player who led all edge rushers in pressures in 2018 while with Kansas City," wrote Linsey. "But he can still provide some disruption as a pass-rusher if he can get back healthy and onto the field. His 19.6% pass rush win rate in limited action in 2019 led the way on a deep defensive line."
Below is a listing of the 10 rosters ranked better than San Francisco's entering the 2021 season.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cleveland Browns
- Buffalo Bills
- Baltimore Ravens
- Green Bay Packers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Dallas Cowboys
- Minnesota Vikings
- Denver Broncos