NFL Power Rankings 2019: Post-minicamp edition

NFL Power Rankings 2019: Post-mandatory minicamp edition

By Randy Gurzi | Jun 15, 2019

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots prepares to take a snap in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 01: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to a call during their NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at Levi’s Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

23. San Francisco 49ers (29)

2018 was a rough season for the San Francisco 49ers. They were a dark horse pick for a lot of pundits because of a five-game winning streak to end the prior season. Those five games happened to be the only ones started by Jimmy Garappolo who was acquired in a midseason trade with the New England Patriots.

Jimmy G also had some new help with the arrival of Jerick McKinnon, the former Minnesota Vikings running back who excels as a receiving threat. Unfortunately, no one ever got to see the two work together as McKinnon tore his ACL before the season began. Making matters worse, Garoppolo joined him on the IR as he tore his ACL late in their Week 3 loss to the Chiefs.

The hope is that both will be healthy this season and the Niners also added another running back in Tevin Coleman, who was great under Kyle Shanahan with the Falcons. They also added pass rusher Nick Bosa with their first round pick and he seems ready to shore up their defensive line.

Having said all that, the defense as a whole was weak last year — especially in the secondary — and they were only 1-2 with Garoppolo healthy. In order to truly contend in the NFC, they need to see huge steps forward from him and everyone around him.

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