Is it fair to list the 49ers as Super Bowl contenders?

[ASFN Admin]

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SB Nation released its power rankings after the Myles Garrett trade shocked the NFL world on Monday. The San Francisco 49ers were listed among the seven teams vying for the Super Bowl this season:

Super Bowl Contenders

The Los Angeles Rams did not have too far to climb in these rankings, given where they were just a few weeks ago. We already had the Rams No. 2 in our post-draft power rankings.

But the trade for Myles Garrett moved them as high as possible.

When you acquire a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, you get better. And after slotting in at No. 2 in the post-NFL Draft power rankings, the Rams are now in the top spot, dropping their NFC West rivals down to No. 2.

Of course, the games are won on the field in the fall, now in the power rankings in June.

7. Los Angeles Chargers

6. San Francisco 49ers

5. Philadelphia Eagles

4. Denver Broncos

3. Buffalo Bills

2. Seattle Seahawks

1. Los Angeles Rams

Do the 49ers belong among the NFL’s elite?​

Process of elimination says yes. We rarely see Super Bowl champions pick up where they left off. The Seahawks will remain competitive, but history says their defense won’t be historic in back-to-back years.

The Eagles traded away A.J. Brown. His replacement, rookie Makai Lemon, suffered a soft-tissue injury and won’t practice for the rest of OTAs. That’s another defense that should see a fair amount of regression.

Both teams taking a step back opens the door for teams like the Packers, Lions, Cowboys, and the 49ers.

Injuries once again got the best of the 49ers last season. They battled attrition as much as they battled their opponent on the field. The offseason additions and players returning from injury are enough to catapult the team right back into the mix of contenders.

The Niners’ record last season did not reflect the product on the field. We have two seasons of evidence from recent history that show what a Super Bowl roster looked like. From 2022 through 2023, the 49ers were the Monstars from Space Jam. They were the Avengers.

Those rosters weren’t just top-heavy. Their depth chart was littered with reliable role players. Player development will determine whether the 49ers are Super Bowl contenders this season.

The foundation of Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, George Kittle, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner rivals, if not exceeds, any team.

The team needs a full season out of Ricky Pearsall and Mykell Williams. They need their former first-rounders to play up to their potential. Second-rounders like Renardo Green and Alfred Collins need to take the next step.

You’re hoping veterans like Osa Odighizuwa take pressure off Collins and Williams. He should also allow Gracen Halton and Romello Height to remain in part-time/pass-rush roles.

Unlike the previous two seasons, the depth complements the starters.

For the 49ers to peak, a wild card will need to emerge. That may come in the form of one of the backup running backs, a Jacob Cowing breakout, or Malik Mustapha morphing into the 2022 version of Talanoa Hufanga.

The top-end talent and coaching make the 49ers a Super Bowl contender. Injury luck and player development will determine how deep of a playoff run this team makes.

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