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PFF: Javon Hargrave addition saves 49ers from ‘very bad’ offseason grade
May 19, 2023 at 10:40 AM
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Pro Football Focus
awarded the San Francisco 49ers a grade of C for the team's offseason efforts. All 31 NFL teams earned higher marks for their efforts to improve their rosters.
It could have been a lot worse, though. The analytics site was not fond of the 49ers' moves in the draft. If not for one key offseason addition, San Francisco's grade might have been even lower.
"The addition of
Javon Hargrave to an already dominant defense is the only thing saving this from a very bad offseason grade," wrote Sam Monson. "Hargrave accounted for 57 total pressures last season for the Eagles, more than double any 49ers interior lineman.
Clelin Ferrell is a far more quietly solid addition to the defensive front, and
Sam Darnold could easily end up starting at quarterback if
Brock Purdy's elbow doesn't heal quickly enough."
While the 49ers entered the draft with 11 picks and finished with nine, they didn't own a selection in the first, second, or fourth rounds. That was significant to evaluators. Then, drafting a kicker—
Jake Moody out of Michigan—in the third round wasn't popular among analysts.
"In the draft, it's difficult to argue that anything the 49ers did was the result of good process," wrote Monson. "They reached relative to the PFF and consensus big boards at most picks and drafted a kicker in the third round."
Despite the poor postseason marks, most consider the 49ers among the most talented rosters in the NFL and contenders in the NFC. San Francisco ranked No. 3, behind only the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, in
Pro Football Focus' most recent power rankings.
"The 49ers needed backup linebackers and cornerbacks after losing Azeez Al-Shaair, Emmanuel Moseley, and Samson Ebukam this offseason," wrote Amelia Probst and Arjun Menon. "Drafting
Darrell Luter Jr.,
Dee Winters, and
Jalen Graham may fill those gaps — particularly Luter, who allowed a 27% completion percentage in 2021."
As for the rest of the NFC West, Monson liked what the Seattle Seahawks did to improve, handing out an A to the 49ers' rival. The Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals each earned a B.
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