The 49ers have been extremely active in their ultra-important offseason. San Francisco is one strong set of acquisitions away from putting together a legitimate playoff contender. A bad offseason likely means another year picking in the top 10. Their free agency moves have all come with question marks which explains why they continue to hover in the middle of the Touchdown Wire power rankings despite addressing their biggest holes.
The 49ers added a big-play running back in Tevin Coleman while bolstering their defense with cornerback Jason Verrett and linebackers Dee Ford and Kwon Alexander. If they can stay healthy in 2019, they’re heading in the right direction.
Injuries were a theme for the 49ers during the 2018 season, and they continue to loom throughout the early portion of the 2019 league year. Linebacker Kwon Alexander tore his ACL in October. Cornerback Jason Verrett has dealt with a host of catastrophic injuries in his five-year career.
Aside from that, running back Jerick McKinnon tore his ACL a week before the 2018 regular season started. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL in Week 3 against the Chiefs.
Those are all serious injuries to key players at important positions. It’s easy to see why they’re not higher in the power rankings.
On the other hand, a rapid rise up these rankings could be in order once the season starts. If all of those players get back to 100 percent by Week 1, and newly-acquired edge rusher Dee Ford continues his Pro Bowl-caliber productivity, San Francisco suddenly has a much more formidable roster than the one they had to close last season.
The 49ers will likely spend the rest of the offseason hovering around the middle of the various power rankings. That’s not bad considering they won four games last season, but until they answer those injury questions, they won’t rise much higher than where they stand after free agency.
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