Today we end our 9-part series with our top 10 players on our 1-90 rankings.
10. C Alex Mack
2021 Cap Number: $2,979,412
Chance At Making Active Roster: Lock
Analysis: When 2018 free agent signee Weston Richburg suffered a gruesome injury in 2019, the hope was that he’d make a full recovery, but that wasn’t to be, as he missed all of 2020, & he retired back in early June, so the 49ers needed to add a veteran center to help solidify the offensive line, and they did that with Alex Mack, who knows Kyle Shanahan’s system, and he’s definitely looking forward to playing for the 49ers.
9. DE Arik Armstead
2021 Cap Number: $12,455,882
Chance At Making Active Roster: Lock
Analysis: Now, some will say Armstead had a bad year in 2020, I say no, he didn’t, yes he didn’t have the same sack numbers he had in 2019, 10, but he was without the likes of Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, and DeForest Buckner, so he was being relied on to be the go-to guy, but with the injuries, Armstead’s production wasn’t the same as 2019, but he still impacted the game, getting to the quarterback, and running back, while also getting a lot of pressure on the QB.
8. WLB Dre Greenlaw
2021 Cap Number: $930,429
Chance At Making Active Roster: Lock
Analysis: Greenlaw has become the perfect partner to go with All-Pro middle linebacker Fred Warner, and Greenlaw was so good, that he made 2019 free agent signee Kwon Alexander, who was the teams starting weakside linebacker, expendable, and in my opinion, Dre has a bright future with the 49ers, and they found a steal in the 5th-round of the 2019 draft.
7. WR Deebo Samuel
2021 Cap Number: $2,099,279
Chance At Making Active Roster: Lock
Analysis: Deebo, in my opinion, is the perfect #2 wide receiver to go with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo is a guy who loves to run over people, and some think he plays too reckless, which he does at times, but remember he played like this in 2019, when he only missed 1 game, so in 2020 what really hurt him, was the foot injury during camp Jimmy, so, while he only played in, I believe, 8 games, I expect Deebo to have a breakout season.
6. WR Brandon Aiyuk
2021 Cap Number: $2,848,034
Chance At Making Active Roster: Lock
Analysis: Aiyuk really did shine in 2020, he led the 49ers in receiving yards, and was just a complete freak out there, he only missed a few games, mainly due to being on the COVID-19 list, so I expect Aiyuk, no matter who is the starting quarterback, should be close to a 1000 yard receiver.
5. FB Kyle Juszyzck
2021 Cap Number: $5,447,059
Chance At Making Active Roster: Lock
Analysis: I know, some people will call me crazy for putting Kyle Juzsyzck as my 5th ranked player, but when you look at the guy they call Juice, he does it all, he can run with the ball, he can catch the ball, he can lineup at FB, H-Back, in the Slot, and at TE, so he truly is an Offensive Weapon, and he’s well worth every penny of the new 5-year deal, worth $27 million, an average of $5.4 million a year. So go ahead, and call me crazy, but Juice is just as important to this teams success, especially in the run game, as George Kittle is.
4. LT Trent Williams
2021 Cap Number: $8,187,647
Chance At Making Active Roster: Lock
Analysis: Trent Williams did what many thought wouldn’t happen, he got the highest deal for a tackle in NFL history, inking a 6-year deal, worth $138.06 million, a $23.01 million average per year, just $10,000 more than Packers left tackle David Bahktiari, and 4th overall seems ludicrous for who I believe is not just the best left tackle, but the best tackle in the NFL, but with the 3 names up next, you’ll understand wise, but the 49ers have 4 players at the top of their positions.
3. MLB Fred Warner
2021 Cap Number: $3,636,547
Chance At Making Active Roster: Lock
Analysis: Warner, is the best off the ball linebacker in the NFL, who, as of the writing of this article, has yet to ink a new long term deal, but he should get one, in the neighborhood of $19 million to $20 million a year, with over $50 million in guaranteed money, with over $40 million of it being fully guaranteed, and he should have a season similar to 2020, that saw him finally be named to both the Pro Bowl, and as an All-Pro, a well deserved honor, that he should have had much at least a year earlier, as he, & Darius Leonard are the 2 best pure linebackers in the NFL in my opinion.
2. DE Nick Bosa
2021 Cap Number: $9,255,509
Chance At Making Active Roster: Lock
Analysis: Bosa should make a comeback in 2021, after he suffered a torn ACL in week 2 in MetLife Stadium. I fully expect Bosa to have a season comparable to his rookie year, where he had 9 sacks, was defensive rookie of the year, and a Pro Bowler, so I expect him to make his 2nd Pro Bowl, and be named an All-Pro, with 10+ sacks.
1. TE George Kittle
2021 Cap Number: $5,450,000
Chance At Making Active Roster: Lock
Analysis: Kittle, is, without a doubt, in my mind, the best all around tight end in the NFL, and he should bounce back from 2020 where he missed 8 games, and he should be back to his 1000+ receiving yard numbers.
So with all of this said, I thank everyone for reading article, as always you can follow me on Twitter @49erscap, or leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.
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