Podcast: The Ultimate 49ers History Lesson →
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports


Top 10 49ers Entering the 2019 Season: Pre-Free-Agency Edition No. 6-10

Bobby Horne
Jan 31, 2019 at 2:00 PM


As the 2019 NFL season approaches, one thing is for sure, after a 4-12 season the 49ers roster isn't what it needs to be in order to be successful in 2019. Changes must be made at almost all phases.

Going 4-12 is not fun for the organization, the players, or the fans. That doesn't mean that the 49ers are just flat out a bad team. As we all saw in 2018, it was more of a mix of devastating injuries and a play or two away from a win that became a loss in multiple games.

This current 49ers roster has some very good players who they can build around and sustain success for years to come. We are going to take a look at the top 10 prior to the opening of the 2019 free agent market, after free agency if the 49ers are aggressive this list could change.

This is a two-part article, starting at 10. You can view the players ranking from No. 1-5 here.

Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports


10. Richard Sherman - CB

One major bright spot of the 49ers 2018 season was definitely the play from Richard Sherman. He was outstanding throughout the year and effectively locked down an entire side of the field for the 49ers defense. Now some of his success is because the 49ers were primarily weak on the other side of the defense and the opposing offenses just avoided Sherman's side.

But when they tried to test Sherman it was rarely successful as he only allowed 25 catches in 14 games in 2018. The 49ers are going to need more of this consistency from Sherman in 2019 and will need to upgrade the unit around him but he certainly is a big part of the defense for the immediate future.

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports


9. Dante Pettis - WR

The 49ers second selection in the 2018 NFL Draft showed flashes of elite route running and ability throughout the season. A knee injury suffered early in the year kept Pettis out of some games but the back half of the season is when he looked like he was coming into his own.


Pettis finished the 2018 season with 27 catches, 467 yards, and five touchdowns. All in all a solid year for a rookie who only played in 12 games. If he can beat the injury bug that was biting him all year he will be a big part of the 49ers future and can become the number one target they so desperately need.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports


8. Fred Warner - MLB

Warner was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft and many chalked it up to be a solid pick and a guy who could contribute fairly quickly. However, nobody thought he would come in and become the leader of the defense right away. Nevertheless, that's what he did.

Warner quickly cemented himself as the quarterback of the 49ers defense and when they released former standout LB Reuben Foster it was like they didn't miss a beat. Warner has above-average ability to attack the ball and at times shows elite speed for the position. In Weeks 8-12, Warner was one of the very best LBs in football.


Warner finished the 2018 campaign with 124 total tackles ranking him at 12th in the NFL. Warner also added six passes defended and one forced fumble. Warner should expect to be in the red and gold for a long time.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports


7. Mike McGlinchey - OT

The 49ers first selection and the 9th overall of the 2018 NFL Draft, McGlinchey was everything and more than what the 49ers thought he would be. McGlinchey immediately came in and became an anchor on the 49ers offensive line.
He has elite run blocking ability and was rated as one of the very best in the NFL throughout the season, according to Pro Football Focus. He also finished the season as PFF's top-rated rookie lineman.


The 49ers hit a home run with McGlinchey and he has shown that he has the traits to become a staple on the offensive line for the next decade.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports


6. Kyle Juszczyk - FB

Fullbacks are people too! Juszczyk is no ordinary FB though, he is the 49ers' version of a "swiss army knife" or a "jack of all trades". Whatever you want to call him, he can do it all. He can lead the way through the hole and block on one play and swing out on a wheel route for a touchdown on the next.


He provides mismatches all over the field for head coach Kyle Shanahan. His versatility can't be overlooked and although it seems like FBs are a dying position in today's NFL, Juszczyk is one of the best and an integral part of the 49ers' future.

Stay tuned for the final part of the series where we count down the Top 5 players on the 49ers roster!
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.


0 Comments

  • No Comments

Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News



2023 49ers Free Agency Tracker: Signings, Interests, Departures

By Site Staff
Mar 13

The following list tracks San Francisco 49ers signings, interests, and losses during free agency, which officially kicks off at the start of the new league year on Wednesday, March 15, at 1 p.m. PT (4 p.m. ET). NFL teams can begin negotiations with player agents on Monday, March 13, at 9 a.m. PT (noon ET). This list will be updated frequently throughout the early days of free agency, so please bookmark it and check back often for the latest information. Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA): A player with an expiring contract who has four-or-more accrued seasons and is free to negotiate with any team at the start of the new league year. Restricted Free Agent (RFA): A player with an expiring contract who has three accrued



Texans, Raiders expected to pursue 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency

By David Bonilla
Mar 13

Soon-to-be former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be in good demand when free agency kicks off on Wednesday. That demand will start today, actually. NFL teams can begin contract negotiations with impending free-agent players from other teams starting at 9 a.m. PT. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Garoppolo can expect to receive some phone calls from the Houston Texans and the Las Vegas Raiders, the two teams anticipated to pursue the veteran quarterback. Garoppolo has familiarity with both coaching staffs. He was with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels in New England and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco. Another team that could be interested in the quarterback is the New York Jets. However, they are also reportedly interested



No Huddle Podcast: 49ers Make a Splash on First Day of Free Agency

By Site Staff
Mar 14

(Episode 221) - Brian Renick, Zain Naqvi, and Al Sacco discuss Jimmy G moving on to Las Vegas and how he should be remembered by fans, how shocking the Javon Hargrave deal is, how important the draft could be for San Francisco, the positives of having Sam Darnold in the QB room and more! The audio for the show is embedded above. Don't forget to subscribe! You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast" episode above, from our dedicated podcast page,



No Huddle Podcast: 49ers Free Agency Review

By Site Staff
Mar 17

(Episode 222) - Al Sacco and Zain Naqvi discuss Sam Darnold's best case scenario, some of the smaller names that joined the 49ers defense, how important bolstering the offensive line is, grading the current free agent class and more! The audio for the show is embedded above. Don't forget to subscribe! You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast" episode above, from our dedicated podcast page, on


Featured

More by Bobby Horne

More Articles

Share 49ersWebzone