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ESPN: 49ers still boast a top-10 NFL starting lineup despite turnover

Originally posted on 49ers Webzone | By David Bonilla | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 8:44 AM ET

The San Francisco 49ers may have undergone a significant roster overhaul this offseason, but ESPN analysts still believe the team remains among the NFL's elite. Despite finishing the 2024 season with a disappointing 6-11 record, the 49ers landed in the top 10 of ESPN's NFL starting lineup rankings.

Analysts Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz, and Seth Walder evaluated every NFL team and ranked the 49ers' starting lineup at No. 10 overall. The breakdown also included the team's biggest roster strength and weakness, a key X-factor heading into the 2025 season, and a non-starter to keep an eye on.

Strength: tight end production, led by George Kittle

Clay named the tight end position as San Francisco's greatest strength, largely due to the continued dominance of All-Pro George Kittle.

"Despite the 49ers' struggles and nearly three full missed games due to injury, Kittle finished top five among tight ends in yards and touchdowns for the third consecutive season (he has finished top 10 in yards seven years in a row)," Clay wrote. "Kittle paced the position in yards per route run for the fifth time in seven seasons. He was also PFF's top-graded tight end in blocking. Luke Farrell and Ross Dwelley were signed as upgraded depth."

Weakness: Thin defensive tackle rotation

Clay pointed to the revamped defensive tackle group as the team's biggest concern heading into 2025, calling it potentially the weakest in the league.

"Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave signed elsewhere, and the team's only impact additions were draft picks Alfred Collins (second round) and CJ West (fourth)," Clay noted. "Jordan Elliott (a rotational player) tops the depth chart, and competitors Kevin Givens, Evan Anderson, and Kalia Davis all played less than 30% of the team's defensive snaps last season. The Niners figure to add more help and/or move Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu inside more often."

X-factor: Health of Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk

Walder identified the health of star running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk as the biggest X-factor for the 2025 campaign. Both missed significant time in 2024, with Aiyuk still recovering from ACL and MCL injuries.

"If the former (Aiyuk) can play most of the season, and the latter (McCaffrey) can come back and regain his 2023 form, we will again be in awe of the plethora of playmakers in San Francisco," Walder explained. "If not, this team could still compete, but it likely requires a second-year breakout from Ricky Pearsall and another great season from Kittle (along with Jauan Jennings continuing his 2024 level of play if he's still on the team)."

Under-the-radar player: TE Luke Farrell

Schatz highlighted tight end Luke Farrell as a non-starter to watch in 2025. Farrell, a low-profile free-agent signing in March, signed a three-year deal despite never recording a touchdown reception.

"It's all about the blocking, where Farrell excelled for the Jaguars in recent seasons," Schatz wrote.

"He could come in and he could block a 9-technique where George [Kittle] and Christian [McCaffrey] could both be on routes," coach Kyle Shanahan said during OTAs.

While the 49ers used two-tight end sets on just 12% of snaps in 2024, Schatz expects that figure to rise in 2025, providing more opportunities for Farrell to contribute.