In the 28th of a 32-part series, we will feature 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. Today we will look at the San Francisco 49ers.
Key Off Season Acquisitions
On offense, the 49ers drafted offensive guard Spencer Burford of San Antonio, Texas. He was selected in the fourth round, 134th overall from the University of Texas-San Antonio.
On defense, the 49ers signed cornerback Charvarius Ward of McComb, Mississippi to a three-year contract worth $42 million. Last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Ward had 67 combined tackles, two tackles for a loss, 10 pass deflections and two interceptions. The 49ers are also projected to start cornerback Samuel Womack III of Detroit, Michigan. Womack III was the 49ers fifth round pick, 172nd overall from the University of Toledo.
Fantasy Stars
The 49ers have two fantasy stars ranked in the top 10 for their position. At wide receiver, Deebo Samuel of Inman, South Carolina is ranked second only behind Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams. Last year, Samuel had 77 catches for 1405 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. His 18.2 yards per catch led the NFL. Samuel also had 59 rushes for 365 yards and eight touchdowns. Samuel’s eight rushing touchdowns is the most ever by a NFL wide receiver in a single season in NFL history.
At tight end, George Kittle of Madison, Wisconsin is ranked fourth behind Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Dalton Schultz of the Dallas Cowboys. Last year he had 71 catches for 910 yards and six touchdowns.
Projected Finish
The 49ers should finish in third place in the NFC West, behind the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams. Even though they re-signed Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback, the team is set to start Trey Lance, their first round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. San Francisco did make the NFC Championship a year ago, but a return to the postseason in 2022 may be a struggle.
