CBS Sports still sees the 49ers as a team with a lot of juice at the top end, but not quite enough certainty to crack the elite tier. In its updated positional group rankings, San Francisco’s quarterback-running back-wide receiver trio landed at No. 8, even after the switch from injured George Kittle to newly signed Mike Evans.
The group now centers on Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and Evans, and CBS Sports voters gave it an average placement of 8.3. The highest vote was fifth, the lowest was 12th. San Francisco was also the first team in the rankings to receive any top-five votes, which says plenty about how high the ceiling looks when everything is working inside Kyle Shanahan’s system.
That same upside comes with a pile of questions. CBS Sports pointed to the challenge of separating the players from the system, while also accounting for injuries at multiple spots and the contrast between McCaffrey’s rushing efficiency and his work as a receiver out of the backfield.
Purdy missed extended time a season ago, so his availability remains part of the conversation. McCaffrey continues to draw scrutiny over the split between his rushing production and his pass-catching value, even though he remains one of the league’s most versatile backs when he’s on the field.
Evans enters the mix after Kittle’s Achilles injury forced a change at the position. Kittle will return in 2026, but he was not eligible for the trio ranking because of the injury and the uncertainty around his recovery. CBS Sports noted that San Francisco’s offense has leaned heavily on McCaffrey and Purdy’s decision-making since the group’s core came together, and Evans now brings a veteran receiving presence into that setup.
The odd part is how little the ranking moved. San Francisco stayed in the exact same spot as last year, one of only two teams - along with Cleveland - to do that despite the personnel change. That suggests evaluators still see the same basic range of outcomes for the 49ers: a group with real top-five upside, but one whose floor and ceiling are both tied tightly to health.
As the 2026 season approaches, that’s the big swing factor for San Francisco. The talent is obvious. The ranking says the rest is still up in the air.
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Stefon Diggs Suddenly Makes Sense For A 49ers Team In Need
With Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk expected to open as the 49ers top wideouts, San Franciscos receiver room already looks deeper than it did a year ago. Rookie DeZhaun Stribling is in the mix for snaps too, giving the offense a handful of options as it tries to keep pace with the rest of the NFC. Even so, the idea of adding another proven target has real appeal for a team that wants more than just competent depth on the perimeter.
That is where Stefon Diggs starts to make a lot of sense. He is coming off a productive season in New England after returning from an ACL tear, and he has made it clear he still views himself as someone who can line up against anyone. For a 49ers offense that could use another playmaker to complement its current group, Diggs would bring both production and a little edge, especially if the passing game needs extra help while the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Camp Opens With A Familiar Christian McCaffrey Concern
The 49ers opened camp with the same familiar question that tends to follow Christian McCaffrey around: who can handle the load behind him if the season starts asking for more than one back to carry it? McCaffrey led the NFL in touches last season, and San Francisco is again sorting through a backup group that includes Jordan James, Kaelon Black, Isaac Guerendo, Sincere McCormick and Patrick Taylor Jr., with the usual camp competition set to sort out the pecking order.
Jordan James, Kaelon Black and Isaac Guerendo look like the names to watch most closely in that race, especially with the 49ers typically carrying four running backs and a fullback on the roster. Special teams work will matter too, which means the battle is about more than just who runs well in drills. For Guerendo, in particular, the pressure is obvious after last years limited availability, and San Francisco still has to find out whether the group behind McCaffrey can offer enough reliability to make the roster decisions straightforward. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Have One Quiet Bargain And One Growing Cap Problem
The 49ers are set up to enter 2026 with nearly $72 million in available salary cap space, and part of that flexibility is expected to be rolled over because of the way several contracts are structured. In the middle of that broader picture, Mike McKivitz stands out as the rosters best bargain, giving San Francisco quality tackle play at a cost that looks especially friendly compared with the market.
Brandon Aiyuk, meanwhile, is shaping up as the clubs biggest cap headache. If the receiver is back in the picture, the 49ers would have to decide whether the contract still makes sense as written or whether moving on is the cleaner path, even if it comes with dead money attached. For a team trying to preserve future flexibility while keeping its core intact, that is the kind of decision that can quietly shape the next phase of the roster. [Read more 🡒]