In the 28th of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the San Francisco 49ers.
Key Off Season Acquisitions
The 49ers most significant acquisition in free agency was defensive tackle Javon Hargrave of Salisbury, North Carolina. He came to terms on a four year deal worth $84 million. In 2022 with the Philadelphia Eagles, Hargrave had 60 combined tackles (37 solo tackles and 23 assisted tackles), 10 tackles for a loss, 16 quarterback hits, 11 sacks, two pass deflections, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Hargrave’s fumble recoveries came in a 24-8 Eagles win over the Washington Commanders on September 25 and in a 29-21 Eagles win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 2. Hargrave’s forced fumble came in a 35-13 Eagles win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 30. Hargrave’s pass deflections came in a 26-17 Eagles win over the Dallas Cowboys and in a 22-16 Eagles win over the New York Giants on January 8.
Hargrave has spent four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2016 to 2019, and the last three seasons from 2020 to 2022 with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2021, Hargrave was selected to the Pro Bowl.
The 49ers also made an offseason trade. They acquired kicker Zane Gonzalez of Deer Park, Texas from the Carolina Panthers. In the deal, San Francisco and Carolina swapped seventh round draft picks. In Gonzalez’s career, he has played for three teams. He was with the Cleveland Browns in 2017 and 2018, the Arizona Cardinals from 2018 to 2020, and the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Gonzalez did not play in 2022 because of a groin injury.
Fantasy Stars
Christian McCaffrey of Castle Rock, Colorado is third among running backs. In 2022, he had 244 rushes for 1139 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, along with 85 catches for 741 receiving yards and five touchdown catches with the Panthers and 49ers.
George Kittle of Madison, Wisconsin is second among tight ends. Last season he had 60 catches for 765 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
Defensively, the 49ers are ranked second. San Francisco gave up 277 points last year, the fewest in the NFL.
Projected Finish
San Francisco is clearly the best team in the NFC West. They have the best defense, best running back, and best tight end.
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