The 49ers improved in the draft, but was it enough to move up the NFL power rankings?
With the dust settled on the NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers are looking to finalize their 53-man roster with their new draftees. After addressing the defense, specifically the run defense, the 49ers improved before a single snap in the 2025 NFL season. The vibes are even higher after the 49ers extended George Kittle to the highest-paid contract for a tight end in the NFL.
The question is: Did the 49ers’ draft class move the team up the post-draft NFL power rankings?
Eric Edholm of NFL.com believes so.
In Edholm’s pre-draft power rankings, the 49ers ranked 18th. Fast-forward to after the three-day NFL draft, and the 49ers move up three spots to 15th.
The 49ers used their first five picks on defense before finally pivoting to the offensive side on Day 3. It was not a shocking approach for a team whose depth chart felt pretty lean after the roster was raided in free agency. Mykel Williams could be a terrific pick in time, and I like Alfred Collins and CJ West to earn snaps inside. We’ll see if the Niners plugged enough holes this offseason, but they allocated their resources well, I think. Brock Purdy’s extension feels like the next order of business, but San Francisco also has to take care of George Kittle. I know people are a little down on the 49ers, relatively speaking, but remember the last time they fell off, with a 6-10 season in 2020? They followed that up with three straight NFC Championship Game appearances. I’m counting on this team competing again under Kyle Shanahan.
Although the 49ers struggled in the red zone in 2024, the offense is the least of the team’s worries going into 2025. Ideally, Christian McCaffrey is fully healthy and plays all season, Kittle takes on a higher target share following his extension, and the 49ers’ rookie wide receivers from 2024 take a leap.
The strength of schedule is another reason for optimism for the 2025 49ers. After a disappointing 6-11 season, the 49ers’ opponents are near the bottom of the league in winning percentage. However, the teams near the bottom have improved also and may present a tougher challenge this year.
Any way you slice it, the 49ers are improved and have a history of playing deep into January under Shanahan. This season is in the hands of the head coach and what he can get from this current roster.