The San Francisco 49ers had a quiet offseason this year, electing to cut bait with several veterans rather than looking to add marquee talent in free agency.
Instead, they focused on the draft, where they added 11 rookies to the roster, including current starters Mykel Williams, Upton Stout, and Connor Colby, as well as rotational pieces Alfred Collins and Marques Sigle.
Still, there were a few notable moves this offseason that have evidently paid off for the team, which has navigated injuries to go 5-2 so far this season. Let’s rank the three best moves of the 49ers offseason so far.
3. K Eddy Piniero
Okay, this one is cheating (a little bit), given that Piniero did not join the 49ers until midway during the season. But, to shout him out, we’ll count him for this exercise.
Piniero has been lights out since the 49ers signed him to replace Jake Moody. He’s a perfect 17/17 on field goals, while making 9/10 extra points since Week 2.
That 17/17 includes 5/5 from 50+ yards (including a 59-yarder), and sheer consistency throughout, which is amazing considering that no team signed him heading into the season. He’s top three in the NFL all-time for accuracy, and that is only improving by the week.
I don’t know if this level of consistency is manageable over a 17-game season, but he’s easily been a valuable signing for a 49ers team that has played in four one-score games since he’s arrived.
2. QB Mac Jones
The 49ers have gotten quality quarterback play out of Mac Jones with Brock Purdy out, which is a big part of the reason they’re 5-2.
Jones has gotten five starts this year, going 4-1 and throwing for 1,404 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. He’s been accurate, hitting 67 percent of his throws, and has adapted to the game plan for each game.
It’s tough to have starter-level backup quarterback play in the NFL. Jones has provided that in relief of Purdy, providing the team a major cushion at 5-2 as they look to make the playoffs with their depleted roster.
There will be some tough games, such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, where Jones threw two interceptions and had six sacks. But, if you asked Kyle Shanahan if this season was going the way it was and that Jones would start five of the first seven games, he’d certainly take a 4-1 start.
1. DC Robert Saleh
Nobody has made a more lasting impact on this team of the newcomers than defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
When hired in the offseason, everyone knew the move was the right choice, given the success he had in San Francisco from 2017-20. But, it was a tall task for Saleh, as he was going to have to rely on a ton of younger talent with the 49ers moving on from several veterans.
To make matters worse, Saleh has now lost stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for the season. And yet, his defense continues to churn and fight hard and be one of the best in the NFL to date.
Saleh has instantly elevated both the 49ers floor and ceiling, and is bound to get head coaching interviews sooner than later once again.
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