Photo courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers
Where the 49ers landed in power rankings ahead of Week 1
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up to embark on an unprecedented 2020 season in what the team has dubbed a "Legendary Revenge Tour." The last time the 49ers were seen on the football field, they were suffering a fourth-quarter collapse at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.
The players and coaches hope to make amends for that.
San Francisco kicks off its regular season by hosting the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium during Week 1. Much of last season's Super Bowl roster returns, with the exception of veterans Joe Staley, DeForest Buckner, and Emmanuel Sanders. The team has added on, though, with additions like
Trent Williams,
Javon Kinlaw, and
Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers also added Jordan Reed to complement their All-Pro tight end,
George Kittle.
Below is a sample of some of the more prominent power rankings around the web and where San Francisco currently stands within each.
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 2
Previous rank: N/A
"
Deebo Samuel is working his way back from a broken foot. Richie James Jr. missed camp with a broken wrist. First-round pick Brandon Aiyuk is week-to-week with a hamstring injury. Jalen Hurd tore his ACL. Tavon Austin hit IR with his own knee issue. Emmanuel Sanders exited via free agency, and Travis Benjamin was a COVID-19 opt-out. Right about now, George Kittle is probably wondering what kind of damage he can do on Sundays while being quintuple-teamed." — Dan Hanzus
ESPN
Current Ranking: 3
Previous rank: N/A
"Rare is the team that can lose a Super Bowl, return the next year and win the Lombardi Trophy. In fact, it has happened only three times. But the Niners believe they can do it in large part because they return almost all of their starters and coaching staff in a season when continuity might be more valuable than ever." — Nick Wagoner
Bleacher Report
Current Ranking: 4
Previous rank: N/A
"The Niners appear to have a ready-made replacement (for Buckner) in first-round rookie Javon Kinlaw. But as talented as he may be, he's never played in an NFL game. In a loaded NFC West, the 49ers can't afford for Kinlaw to be anything other than a quick study." — NFL Staff
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 4
Previous rank: N/A
"Getting back to the Super Bowl after losing it is a big challenge. Kyle Shanahan has the makeup to get it done, but it won't be easy. Their season will be all about the growth of Jimmy Garoppolo." — Pete Prisco
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 4
Previous rank: N/A
"Will there be a Super Bowl hangover in the Bay Area? Whether our voters see one coming or not, they mostly gave the defending NFC champions the respect they earned last year." — The MMQB Staff
USA Today
Current Ranking: 4
Previous rank: N/A
"Really would have been fun to watch these (already legendary) Trent Williams-
Nick Bosa training camp battles. The Niners should be better because of them." — Nate Davis
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Brock Purdy hopes to organize throwing session ahead of 49ers training camp
The San Francisco 49ers will hold a mandatory minicamp from June 4 through 6, officially concluding the team's offseason program. After that, the Niners will break for over a month and return to the Santa Clara facilities for training camp in late July.
Between that time, starting quarterbacks will often organize throwing sessions with their receivers in an effort to build chemistry ahead of the rigors of training camp. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has been unable to participate in such sessions over the last two years. The last overall draft pick in 2022, Purdy had yet to make a name for himself during his first offseason. Last year, he was still recovering from offseason surgery on his throwing arm.
RELATED:
Potential 49ers defensive draft target visiting this week
Last week, it was reported that the San Francisco 49ers planned to host former Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips on a pre-draft visit. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo confirms that the visit will take place during the upcoming week, which marks the final opportunity for such visits to occur.
Phillips will also meet with the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans this week.
Adding a noteworthy tidbit to the social media post, Garafolo mentions, "A likely second-round pick, though some evaluators have first-round grades on
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
