NFL Offseason 2019: Ranking the 5 most improved NFC teams
By Lucas Schuh
4. San Fransisco 49ers
In 2018, the San Fransisco 49ers were the team to watch with their newest additions in cornerback Richard Sherman and quarterback Jimmy Garrapolo. Sherman had a good year in his first season with the 49ers but he had some plays where he did not look like the Richard Sherman of old. Sadly, everybody knows the story of Garrapolo with his torn ACL against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Off that disappointing campaign, the 49ers made some very good moves in both 2019 free agency and the draft to help out their team, especially on the defensive side. The 49ers added an absolute speed demon at middle linebacker in the form of Kwon Alexander. Meanwhile, Sherman was the only good cornerback on the 49ers entire roster, which is why the 49ers picking up Jason Verrett was an absolutely great move for the 49ers.
Verrett was always good with the Chargers when healthy. Even if Verrett isn’t an elite level cornerback, he will give the 49ers needed boost they need at cornerback. The 49ers also added Dee Ford, not in the form of free agency but in the form of a trade. Ford, last year, had an absolute monster campaign with the Chiefs in which he had a career high in sacks.
In the draft, the 49ers had the second pick in the draft and, after the Cardinals took Kyler Murray, the 49ers had their pick of the litter of defensive monsters. San Francisco ultimately took an absolute monster edge rusher in Nick Bosa. Bosa has the absolute best hands in the draft and terrorized offensive tackles around the country until he got injured. Bosa did get hurt again in offseason workouts but, if he can stay healthy, the 49ers pass rush is going to terrorize the NFC West.
The 49ers have a lot of potential this coming year and, if it all can come together, they could be a dangerous playoff team. With Jimmy Garappolo recovering from a torn ACL and Nick Bosa being hurt, though, only time will tell