The 49ers’ 2022 season was strange to say the least. With Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo missing time with injuries, rookie seventh round pick Brock Purdy stepped up to improbably lead the team to a division title and a place in the NFC Championship game. Another injury, this time to Purdy, saw their season end with a 31-7 loss to the Eagles. Purdy looks to have retained the starting job and hopes are once again high for 2023.
Roster changes
The big story for San Francisco this offseason was their addition of former Eagles defensive lineman Javon Hargrave. Hargrave was a key part of Philadelphia’s rampant defensive line last season and joins the 49ers on a four-year, $84 million deal. The rest of their moves tended to be cheaper, though they did bring in some other recognisable names, including former Giants guard Jon Feliciano and 2018 third overall pick, Sam Darnold.
They endured their fair share of losses too. Jimmy Garoppolo moved on to join the Raiders after six seasons with the team. They also lost a pair of former first round picks in right tackle Mike McGlinchey and safety Jimmie Ward. Edge rushers Charles Omenihu and Samson Ebukam both moved on too after combining for 97 pressures in 2022.
Coaching situation
2023 will mark Kyle Shanahan’s seventh season as the 49ers’ head coach. Whilst he is still in town, there has once again been plenty of changes around him. Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans departed for the head coaching job in Houston and will be replaced by Steve Wilks, who spent most of last season as the interim head coach in Carolina.
The rest of the defensive staff has been revamped, accounting for the majority of San Francisco’s 14 coaching staff changes this offseason. The team also saw their passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik follow DeMeco Ryans to Houston. He has been replaced by Klint Kubiak, who spent last season as the passing game coordinator in Denver.
2023 NFL Draft
| Pick | Player |
| 3.87 | Ji’Ayir Brown – S, Penn State |
| 3.99 | Jake Moody – K, Michigan |
| 3.101 | Cameron Latu – TE, Alabama |
| 5.155 | Darrell Luter Jr – CB, South Alabama |
| 5.173 | Robert Beal Jr – EDGE, Georgia |
| 6.216 | Dee Winters – LB, TCU |
| 7.247 | Brayden Willis – TE, Oklahoma |
| 7.253 | Ronnie Bell – WR, Michigan |
| 7.255 | Jalen Graham – LB, Purdue |
The 49ers didn’t have a pick until the third round so their draft was never going to be too exciting. The selection of Ji’Ayir Brown was smart though. The former Nittany Lion is a bit of a developmental piece but he could make a nice contribution to a shallow secondary. Keep an eye on Darrell Luter too. Injuries have robbed him of much of his rookie training camp, but he has the potential to develop into a starter for the 49ers.
Offense
The 49ers’ pass catching talent is the envy of almost every other team. They boast one of the best and most versatile tight ends in football in George Kittle, a player who is equally comfortable converting first downs as he is taking out defenders as a blocker. Deebo Samuel is obviously an elite YAC threat, and Brandon Aiyuk continues to be one of the more underappreciated pass catchers in football. Aiyuk’s 77.1% win rate against man coverage ranked in the 91st percentile per Reception Perception.
They also have the best all-around running back in football in Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey transformed the 49ers’ offense after his arrival in midseason, giving them unrivalled personnel and alignment versatility. The offense ranked 18th in EPA per play before McCaffrey’s arrival. Once he was on the team they jumped all they way up to first place. His ability to be a difference maker as both a runner and receiver is truly rare.
This roster isn’t without holes though. We know that Kyle Shanahan gets the most out of his quarterbacks, but is Brock Purdy really the player fans want him to be? He had just three big-time throws in 2022 and the fourth lowest big-time throw rate in the NFL. Add in the fact he is returning from UCL surgery and there are real reasons for concern. Kyle Shanahan raises the offense’s floor, but will Purdy cap its ceiling?
Defense
DeMeco Ryans might have gone but the 49ers defense should still be excellent. It all starts up front in the trenches, with a unit headlined by Nick Bosa. His 49 combined sacks and hits in 2022 was 12 more than any other player in football. He is now joined by another force of nature in Javon Hargrave. Hargrave’s 57 pressures ranked fourth amongst all interior linemen in 2022.
They also return one of the best linebacker duos in football. Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are key pieces of this defense and will allow new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks to get creative with his coverage and blitz disguises. The two ranked sixth and eighth amongst all defenders in defensive stops last season.
There is even plenty to like in the secondary, with All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson, and Charvarius Ward. New signing Isaiah Oliver should also be a solid piece in the slot. The one worry is whether this defensive back group has sufficient depth. If any of the starters are forced to miss time they really don’t have any backups with proven NFL experience. That could really matter for a team hoping to be playing deep into the postseason.
Prediction
There are legitimate question marks about the 49ers’ quarterback situation, but with Kyle Shanahan scheming the offense, how much does that really matter? Their defense should once again rank amongst the league’s best and they feel like a leading contender in the NFC.
