Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Below you will find a post-NFL Draft roundup for the San Francisco 49ers in our consensus 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 7
Who's on the hot seat: OT Mike McGlinchey
There aren't many Niners facing a hot seat going into this season, but it's undoubtedly a big year for McGlinchey. The No. 9 overall pick in 2018 is playing on a fifth-year option, isn't signed beyond this year and is coming back from a season-ending quadriceps injury suffered in November. At his best, McGlinchey has been a dominant run-blocker who fits the Niners' scheme well. But he'll need to prove he can stay healthy and produce in order to earn a second contract in San Francisco.
There aren't many Niners facing a hot seat going into this season, but it's undoubtedly a big year for McGlinchey. The No. 9 overall pick in 2018 is playing on a fifth-year option, isn't signed beyond this year and is coming back from a season-ending quadriceps injury suffered in November. At his best, McGlinchey has been a dominant run-blocker who fits the Niners' scheme well. But he'll need to prove he can stay healthy and produce in order to earn a second contract in San Francisco.
NFL.com -- Rank: 3
What's Trey Lance thinking right now? For most of the offseason, Lance was likely working off the same understanding as the rest of us: Jimmy Garoppolo had appeared in his final game as a Niner. Then came last week's surprise news that Jimmy G restructured his contract to remain in San Francisco. The plot twist is a positive development for Kyle Shanahan and 49ers fans -- Garoppolo is an excellent safety net at quarterback. But what about Lance? Jimmy G is hugely respected in the locker room, he's been through the wars, he's a "winner." None of this feels like a comfortable setup for a young QB who's already under considerable pressure to get the team over the hump in the NFC.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 10
This season is all about Trey Lance. Does he last the season as the starter with Jimmy Garappolo now back? If he doesn't, that won't be a good look for the front office.
The Athletic -- Rank: 9
The good news: Trey Lance's skill set might change the complexion of what the 49ers can do on offense. And if something happens, they probably have the best quarterback Plan B in the league.
The bad news: Half the locker room might not want to be so patient with Lance's development — no recent quarterback entered the league with less college game experience — with Jimmy Garoppolo's chiseled jawline looming over his shoulder.
Nugget to remember: The 49ers had the only defense in 2021 that finished in the top 10 in DVOA without being in the top 10 in takeaways. There is probably some positive regression coming in its ability to force turnovers, which could vault DeMeco Ryans' unit to the top of the league.
The bad news: Half the locker room might not want to be so patient with Lance's development — no recent quarterback entered the league with less college game experience — with Jimmy Garoppolo's chiseled jawline looming over his shoulder.
Nugget to remember: The 49ers had the only defense in 2021 that finished in the top 10 in DVOA without being in the top 10 in takeaways. There is probably some positive regression coming in its ability to force turnovers, which could vault DeMeco Ryans' unit to the top of the league.
The Ringer -- Rank: 9
Trey Lance needs to be great, like, right now. The bar was set high when the team traded three first-round picks and a third-round pick to acquire his services in 2021. Even higher when Jimmy Garoppolo, who already took the 49ers to a Super Bowl after the 2019 season, led the team to the NFC championship game last season. And it was raised yet again last week when San Francisco elected to make Jimmy G the NFL's highest-paid backup quarterback rather than trade him, effectively shortening the leash for Lance if he isn't great right away. The highs of the still very young Lance era are awe-inspiring, but the sample size is small. The pressure is on for Lance, and the questions aren't getting answered until we see more of him. The combination of Kyle Shanahan's coaching ability and the team's consistency on defense create for a high enough floor that San Francisco should be competing for the postseason, but the ceiling will be determined by just how quickly—if ever—Lance can exceed rapidly ascending expectations.
Yahoo! -- Rank: 13
Maybe there will be no problem with Jimmy Garoppolo being back on the roster, and Trey Lance will take off anyway. I just wonder how Lance will react to it all. I still like Lance to have a breakout season, but a little less than I did before Garoppolo restructured his contract.
PFT -- Rank: 7
If they can get adequate performance from the quarterback position and avoid a rash of key injuries, they could make it back to the Super Bowl.
More San Francisco 49ers pages:
- San Francisco 49ers Mock Draft Roundup
- San Francisco 49ers Snap Counts
- San Francisco 49ers Franchise Leaders
- San Francisco 49ers Draft History
- San Francisco 49ers Schedule
- San Francisco 49ers Tickets
Previous updates:
- San Francisco 49ers 2022 Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Draft
- San Francisco 49ers 2022 Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Super Bowl 56
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