Top 10 49ers Entering the 2019 Season: Pre-Free-Agency Edition No. 6-10





Going 4-12 is not fun for the organization, the players, or the fans. That doesn't mean that the 49ers are just flat out a bad team. As we all saw in 2018, it was more of a mix of devastating injuries and a play or two away from a win that became a loss in multiple games.



This current 49ers roster has some very good players who they can build around and sustain success for years to come. We are going to take a look at the top 10 prior to the opening of the 2019 free agent market, after free agency if the 49ers are aggressive this list could change.



This is a two-part article, starting at 10. You can view the players ranking from





10. Richard Sherman - CB



One major bright spot of the 49ers 2018 season was definitely the play from Richard Sherman. He was outstanding throughout the year and effectively locked down an entire side of the field for the 49ers defense. Now some of his success is because the 49ers were primarily weak on the other side of the defense and the opposing offenses just avoided Sherman's side.



But when they tried to test Sherman it was rarely successful as he only allowed 25 catches in 14 games in 2018. The 49ers are going to need more of this consistency from Sherman in 2019 and will need to upgrade the unit around him but he certainly is a big part of the defense for the immediate future.





9. Dante Pettis - WR



The 49ers second selection in the 2018 NFL Draft showed flashes of elite route running and ability throughout the season. A



Dante Pettis put his defender on a slip n slide 😮😮😮 @dmainy_13 pic.twitter.com/NJsGgq2Isq — The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 29, 2018

Pettis finished the 2018 season with 27 catches, 467 yards, and five touchdowns. All in all a solid year for a rookie who only played in 12 games. If he can beat the injury bug that was biting him all year he will be a big part of the 49ers future and can become the number one target they so desperately need.





8. Fred Warner - MLB



Warner was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft and many chalked it up to be a solid pick and a guy who could contribute fairly quickly. However, nobody thought he would come in and become the leader of the defense right away. Nevertheless, that's what he did.



Warner quickly cemented himself as the quarterback of the 49ers defense and when they released former standout LB Reuben Foster it was like they didn't miss a beat. Warner has above-average ability to attack the ball and at times shows elite speed for the position. In Weeks 8-12, Warner was one of the very best LBs in football.



#49ers LB Fred Warner ranks 3rd in overall grade (88.6) and 1st in coverage grade (88.6) in Weeks 8-12. He's now earned a 71.8-plus overall grade in four straight games.



Warner is the future at LB for San Francisco, and the future is bright.



📰: https://t.co/zGKuc0ibPb pic.twitter.com/K44h006C9E — Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) November 26, 2018

Warner finished the 2018 campaign with 124 total tackles ranking him at 12th in the NFL. Warner also added six passes defended and one forced fumble. Warner should expect to be in the red and gold for a long time.





7. Mike McGlinchey - OT



The 49ers first selection and the 9th overall of the 2018 NFL Draft, McGlinchey was everything and more than what the 49ers thought he would be. McGlinchey immediately came in and became an anchor on the 49ers offensive line.

He has elite run blocking ability and was rated as one of the very best in the NFL throughout the season, according to Pro Football Focus. He also finished the season as PFF's top-rated rookie lineman.



Mike McGlinchey leads all rookie offensive linemen in PFF grade through the first 16 weeks of the season. pic.twitter.com/VHQabKQEjU — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 27, 2018

The 49ers hit a home run with McGlinchey and he has shown that he has the traits to become a staple on the offensive line for the next decade.





6. Kyle Juszczyk - FB



Fullbacks are people too! Juszczyk is no ordinary FB though, he is the 49ers' version of a "swiss army knife" or a "jack of all trades". Whatever you want to call him, he can do it all. He can lead the way through the hole and block on one play and swing out on a wheel route for a touchdown on the next.



Juice got loose for the touchdown. #SFvsKC x #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/zVrUWQzjhn — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 23, 2018

He provides mismatches all over the field for head coach Kyle Shanahan. His versatility can't be overlooked and although it seems like FBs are a dying position in today's NFL, Juszczyk is one of the best and an integral part of the 49ers' future.



Stay tuned for the final part of the series where we count down the Top 5 players on the 49ers roster! As the 2019 NFL season approaches, one thing is for sure, after a 4-12 season the 49ers roster isn't what it needs to be in order to be successful in 2019. Changes must be made at almost all phases.Going 4-12 is not fun for the organization, the players, or the fans. That doesn't mean that the 49ers are just flat out a bad team. As we all saw in 2018, it was more of a mix of devastating injuries and a play or two away from a win that became a loss in multiple games.This current 49ers roster has some very good players who they can build around and sustain success for years to come. We are going to take a look at the top 10 prior to the opening of the 2019 free agent market, after free agency if the 49ers are aggressive this list could change.This is a two-part article, starting at 10. You can view the players ranking from No. 1-5 here One major bright spot of the 49ers 2018 season was definitely the play from Richard Sherman. He was outstanding throughout the year and effectively locked down an entire side of the field for the 49ers defense. Now some of his success is because the 49ers were primarily weak on the other side of the defense and the opposing offenses just avoided Sherman's side.But when they tried to test Sherman it was rarely successful as he only allowed 25 catches in 14 games in 2018. The 49ers are going to need more of this consistency from Sherman in 2019 and will need to upgrade the unit around him but he certainly is a big part of the defense for the immediate future.The 49ers second selection in the 2018 NFL Draft showed flashes of elite route running and ability throughout the season. A knee injury suffered early in the year kept Pettis out of some games but the back half of the season is when he looked like he was coming into his own.Pettis finished the 2018 season with 27 catches, 467 yards, and five touchdowns. All in all a solid year for a rookie who only played in 12 games. If he can beat the injury bug that was biting him all year he will be a big part of the 49ers future and can become the number one target they so desperately need.Warner was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft and many chalked it up to be a solid pick and a guy who could contribute fairly quickly. However, nobody thought he would come in and become the leader of the defense right away. Nevertheless, that's what he did.Warner quickly cemented himself as the quarterback of the 49ers defense and when they released former standout LB Reuben Foster it was like they didn't miss a beat. Warner has above-average ability to attack the ball and at times shows elite speed for the position. In Weeks 8-12, Warner was one of the very best LBs in football.Warner finished the 2018 campaign with 124 total tackles ranking him at 12th in the NFL. Warner also added six passes defended and one forced fumble. Warner should expect to be in the red and gold for a long time.The 49ers first selection and the 9th overall of the 2018 NFL Draft, McGlinchey was everything and more than what the 49ers thought he would be. McGlinchey immediately came in and became an anchor on the 49ers offensive line.He has elite run blocking ability and was rated as one of the very best in the NFL throughout the season, according to Pro Football Focus. He also finished the season as PFF's top-rated rookie lineman.The 49ers hit a home run with McGlinchey and he has shown that he has the traits to become a staple on the offensive line for the next decade.Fullbacks are people too! Juszczyk is no ordinary FB though, he is the 49ers' version of a "swiss army knife" or a "jack of all trades". Whatever you want to call him, he can do it all. He can lead the way through the hole and block on one play and swing out on a wheel route for a touchdown on the next.He provides mismatches all over the field for head coach Kyle Shanahan. His versatility can't be overlooked and although it seems like FBs are a dying position in today's NFL, Juszczyk is one of the best and an integral part of the 49ers' future.

The views within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.

More San Francisco 49ers News

49ers reveal pre-game plans for Week 1 vs. Cardinals, including support of Black Lives Matter

By Site Staff Sep 10, 2020

The San Francisco 49ers on Thursday revealed some of the team's plans for its Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The initiatives include options for players and coaches to show support for "Black Lives Matter." The following was provided by the 49ers Communications staff. SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The San Francisco 49ers will host the Arizona Cardinals at 1:25 p.m., Sunday, September 13th, at Levi's Stadium. The game will be televised on FOX and in-market fans can stream the game on the 49ers app or 49ers.com on Safari mobile web only. Additionally, there will be coverage available on radio broadcasts in the Bay Area on KGO 810, KNBR 680 and KSAN 107.7 FM The Bone and in Spanish on 49ers.com. GAMEDAY

49ers' George Kittle, Nick Bosa named among Bleacher Report's top 50 NFL players

By David Bonilla Sep 11, 2020

Three of Bleacher Report's analysts — Brad Gagnon, Brent Sobleski, and Gary Davenport — compiled a list of the top 50 NFL players heading into the 2020 season. Two San Francisco 49ers were named to the list. The first to represent the Niners is second-year pass rusher Nick Bosa, who comes in at No. 42. "Nick Bosa proved unblockable at times along the San Francisco 49ers' talented defensive front," wrote Bleacher Report. "No other rookie came close to the 80 pressures he generated last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Last year's No. 2 overall pick is well on his way to superstardom and will get there if he

49ers Notebook: Snap counts vs. Cardinals, Nick Bosa among top-5 jersey sales

By David Bonilla Sep 14, 2020

Here are other San Francisco 49ers-related storylines that might interest you. 49ers snap counts Below are the 49ers snap counts during the team's 24-20 loss against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. These numbers are from NBC Sports Bay Area. Offense Quarterback: Jimmy Garoppolo 62 Running back: Raheem Mostert 37, Kyle Juszczyk 36, Jerick McKinnon 19, Tevin Coleman 6 Wide receiver: Kendrick Bourne 57, Dante Pettis 45, Trent Taylor 21, Richie James 10 Tight end: George Kittle