ESPN’s latest look at NFL starting lineups puts the 49ers in an interesting spot: loaded enough to keep winning big, but not quite strong enough to crack the top 10.
That’s the basic tension with San Francisco right now. The roster still has premium pieces at quarterback, wide receiver, edge rusher and tackle, and the win total is again sitting near the top of the league.
But ESPN’s breakdown also points to the soft spots that keep this group from feeling bulletproof. The secondary and the depth remain question marks, and the whole thing still has a top-heavy feel.
At the center of it all is Brock Purdy, who ESPN labeled the team’s biggest strength.
“Biggest strength: Quarterback. I could’ve gone a few directions here, but Brock Purdy ’s continued strong play, coupled with Mac Jones ’ solid performance in relief duty last season, is enough to push quarterback to the top.
Durability has been an issue for Purdy, but his efficiency has been elite, as he has finished his three seasons as a starter ranked first, seventh and, most recently, second in QBR. He threw 20 TDs in only nine games last season -- a pace matched only by Matthew Stafford.”
That’s the kind of production that changes the whole shape of a team. With Purdy on the field, the 49ers’ ceiling looks different, and so does the offense. ESPN’s read is that the floor should be higher this season with the weapons around him, and that if he stays healthy, this could be the best version of Purdy yet.
The concern on the other side of the ball is much less subtle. ESPN still sees the interior defensive line as the roster’s biggest weakness, even after San Francisco added help.
“Biggest weakness: Interior defensive line. This is the same concern area as last year, and the 49ers went on to finish 31st in pressures (157) and last in sacks (20) in 2025.
Some help was added in the form of Osa Odighizuwa, who was effective while playing 62% of Dallas’ defensive snaps during his first five pro seasons. Behind him are second-year players Alfred Collins and C.J.
West, who tied for the second-worst PFF grade among 115 qualified defensive tackles last season, and fourth-round rookie Gracen Halton.”
The 49ers need Collins to take a real step forward if this group is going to look different. Halton could also matter, but ESPN made clear that asking a rookie to fix this kind of problem is a tough bet.
Then there’s the X-factor, which ESPN tagged as Mike Evans.
“X factor for 2026: WR Mike Evans. He signed a below-market deal that made him a no-brainer addition for the 49ers.
But it would be foolish to pretend there isn’t risk. Evans will be 33 before the season starts, he played in only eight games in 2025, and his open score dropped to a below-average 46 (the scale goes from 0 to 99).
He scored a 91 the prior season. If Evans isn’t what the 49ers hope or expect, San Francisco will quickly become very reliant on Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk and/or second-round pick De’Zhaun Stribling.”
That’s a lot of pressure on one veteran receiver, especially with the age and availability concerns ESPN pointed out. If Evans doesn’t deliver, the load shifts fast to the next wave of pass-catchers.
And one of the names to watch there is De’Zhaun Stribling, who ESPN listed as the nonstarter to know.
“Nonstarter to know: Stribling. Kyle Shanahan offenses used to dominate the league in yards after the catch.
But last season, Pearsall was last in the league in YAC vs. expectation, and new 49er Evans was next-to-last. So where are the 49ers going to get their big YAC plays?
Perhaps they will come from this tall and fast second-round rookie out of Ole Miss, who will start out competing with Kirk for snaps out of the slot.”
ESPN’s point is clear: San Francisco needs more juice after the catch, and Stribling could help provide it. Pearsall wasn’t much of a YAC threat in college, so there’s room for improvement there, and Stribling’s size and speed give the 49ers a different kind of weapon. He can break tackles and turn shorter throws into bigger gains, which is exactly the sort of element the wide receiver room lacked a year ago.
Between Stribling, Cowing, Jordan Watkins and Christian Kirk, ESPN expects the 49ers’ spacing and speed to look very different in 2025.
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Drake Nugent gives the 49ers a younger name to watch as camp and preseason unfold. The undrafted rookie has already put himself in the mix for a roster spot, and if he keeps building on that momentum, he could push his way into the conversation as Brendel's eventual successor while the team weighs its longer-term options at one of the most important spots on the line. [Read more 🡒]