The San Francisco 49ers return to training camp in nine days, and that means it is time for what will hopefully continue to be a regular annual feature. A year ago, we put together a consensus ranking of the 49ers 90-man roster. It included rankings from myself and ten of our writers. You can look at last year’s full rankings here.
We’re back again, this time with 13 people voting. Since this is entirely subjective, I did not provide a specific framework for voting. I could have said “the best,” or “the most important,” or a whole host of other possible ideas. The Instead, I just told people to rank the 90-man roster heading into 2017. It’s not an exact science, but none of this is!
Thanks to Greg Valerio, Billy Kerr, Oscar Aparicio, Tracy Sandler, James Brady, Jennifer Chan, Pat Holloway, Steve Busichio, Scott Geelan, Mark Saltveit, TryAndCatchVD, and Joe The Wizard.
I’ve included the high and low ranking for each player, and then also my own ranking. On to the next ten players!
20. Elvis Dumervil, DE (High: 8, Low: 36, Fooch: 15)
The 49ers final veteran free agent addition. Dumervil has dealt with Achilles issues the past two seasons, and the hope is that even at 33, he has something left in the tank. He is likely competing primarily as a nickel edge rusher. Arik Armstead will play the LEO role in the base, and then Dumervil will come in as Armstead moves inside on passing downs. This ranking likely varies based on just how much people think he has left.
19. Joshua Garnett (High: 12, Low: 37, Fooch: 22)
The 2016 draft picks have seen their ups and downs, and Garnett is right in the middle. We’ve seen some positives from him, but how will he react to more focus on a zone-blocking scheme? David Shaw has said he can make the transition without any problem, but I wouldn’t expect heavy criticism from Shaw. Garnett is competing against Zane Beadles and Brandon Fusco for a starting job, and the 49ers had Garnett getting work at both left and right guard during the offseason workout program.
18. Trent Brown, OT (High: 8, Low: 46, Fooch: 17)
The 49ers signed Garry Gilliam to compete with Brown, and I’m guessing it was in part because of his athleticism and in part because he does not have the weight issues Brown deals with. Brown can move quite well for a big guy, but his biggest problem is keeping the weight under control. Where he ranks when we get to the end of the season will depend in large part on how that weight impacts his shot at the starting job.
17. Jeremy Zuttah, C (High: 8, Low: 53, Fooch: 13)
If the 49ers offense takes a sizable step forward this year, I think this addition could prove to be the most important one. Kyle Shanahan’s offenses have found success with a strong center. That’s been Alex Mack over the past three years, but maybe Zuttah can fill a similar role?
16. Marquise Goodwin, WR (High: 9, Low: 32, Fooch: 21)
The 49ers overhauled their wide receiver depth chart, and Goodwin is the guy who will hopefully bring a deep presence. Torrey Smith was supposed to fill that role, but with no complementary options, Smith was a waste with the 49ers. Goodwin has Garçon and Jeremy Kerley to take off some of the pressure. Goodwin has never broken out in spite of world class speed, so he’ll be on our radar from the get-go.
15. Jeremy Kerley, WR (High: 10, Low: 22, Fooch: 20)
The one notable returning wide receiver this offseason. John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan seem plenty pleased with what Kerley can do, working out a three-year deal to keep him in the fold. Trent Taylor seems like the guy they want to replace Kerley eventually, but for the time being Kerley offers a nice safety-plug option for Brian Hoyer.
14. Ahmad Brooks, OLB (High: 5, Low: 27, Fooch: 9)
Every year we think Brooks might get cut or traded, and every year he remains an underrated defensive player. He is versatile, with an ability to rush the passer, drop in coverage, and set the edge against the run. He’s not an All Pro at this point in his career, but he’s a steady OLB. He is entering the final year of his contract and is the most stable option in the linebacker corps until we see where NaVorro Bowman’s Achilles recovery is at.
13. Solomon Thomas, DL (High: 4, Low: 28, Fooch: 16)
The 49ers ranked him right behind Myles Garrett on their big board, and landed him even with a move down from No. 2 to No. 3. Thomas missed all but one day of the offseason workout program due to Stanford’s academic calendar. He’s been working with guys like DeMarcus Ware, Warren Sapp, and Von Miller, so we know he is getting a chance to learn from some greats. How he gets into the 49ers new defense is another question entirely. Tank Carradine got strong side defensive end work in the base defense during OTAs and minicamp. How quickly will Thomas supplant him, and how will the 49ers use him in their nick and dime packages?
12. Brian Hoyer, QB (High: 1, Low: 40, Fooch: 14)
Hoyer is the clear-cut starter right now as the 49ers were content to hold off getting a sure answer for the long-term at the quarterback position. Injuries have been an issue, but if Hoyer can remain healthy, he should start all 16 games. He had some success last year, and also in 2014 with Kyle Shanahan in Cleveland. Can he built on it in the short term?
11. Reuben Foster, ILB (High: 4, Low: 24, Fooch: 11)
Here’s your highest ranked rookie on our consensus list. His performance this season will depend almost entirely on how his shoulder heals up. We’ve heard positive reports, but until we see him hit the field and getting into full contact work, we have to wait and see. If he does get some preseason playing time and is ready to go for Week 1 of the regular season, he is likely the strongest candidate for a rookie of the year award.
21-30
21. George Kittle, TE
22. Daniel Kilgore, C
23. Malcolm Smith, LB
24. Joe Williams, RB
25. Jaquiski Tartt, S
26. Earl Mitchell, DT
27. Quinton Dial, DT
28. Dontae Johnson, CB
29. Aaron Lynch, DE
30. Ahkello Witherspoon, CB
31-40
31. Tim Hightower, RB
32. Ronald Blair, DL
33. Robbie Gould, K
34. Trent Taylor, WR
35. Vance McDonald, TE
36. Zane Beadles, OG
37. K’Waun Williams, CB
38. Keith Reaser, CB
39. Bradley Pinion, P
40. Ray-Ray Armstrong, ILB
41-50
41. Eli Harold, OLB
42. Aldrick Robinson, WR
43. Logan Paulsen, TE
44. Matt Barkley, QB
45. Tank Carradine, DE
46. Brandon Fusco, OG
47. Will Redmond, CB
48. Garry Gilliam, OT
49. Chris Jones, DT
50. Garrett Celek, TE
51-60
51. Matt Breida, RB
52. Kyle Nelson, LS
53. Dekoda Watson, LB
54. C.J. Beathard, QB
55. Bruce Ellington, WR
56. Kapri Bibbs, RB
57. Pita Taumoepenu, DE
58. Brock Coyle, LB
59. D.J. Jones, DT
60. Lorenzo Jerome, S
61-70
61. Cole Hikutini, TE
62. John Theus, OT
63. Blake Bell, TE
64. Will Davis, CB
65. Vinnie Sunseri, S
66. Tim Barnes, C
67. Don Jones, S
68. Prince Charles Iworah, CB
69. DeAndre Smelter, WR
70. Aaron Burbridge, WR
71-80
71. Adrian Colbert, DB
72. Raheem Mostert, RB
73. DeAndre Carter, WR
74. Victor Bolden Jr., WR
75. Kendrick Bourne, WR
76. B.J. Johnson III, WR
77. Norman Price, OL
78. Zach Franklin, CB
79. Donavin Newsom, LB
80. Jimmie Gilbert, LB
81-90
81. Chanceller James, S
82. Noble Nwachukwu, DE
83. Erik Magnuson, OL
84. Nick Mullens, QB
85. Andrew Lauderdale, OL
86. Richard Levy, OL
87. Tyler McCloskey, FB
88. John Flynn, OL
89. Darrell Williams Jr., OL
90. Nick Rose, K