Ranking the 49ers: Garoppolo is in the top 10 and Samuel makes a splash
In this three-part series, we’re going to offer our rankings of the top 15 players on the 49ers roster. This list aims to provide a summation of talent, track record and value into the future. The first five players appeared online Thursday morning. With apologies to recent first-round draft picks Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk, only players that have played NFL snaps qualify.
No. 10: Raheem Mostert, RB
Mostert hasn’t played a ton at running back but he’s made the most of his opportunities. The former special teams ace catapulted himself to the top of San Francisco’s depth chart thanks to his historic performance against the Packers in the NFC title game. Mostert set a franchise record with 220 yards, second in postseason history, and scored four touchdowns. He averaged 5.6 yards over 137 rushes during the regular season. But he only has eight games in his career with double-digit carries. Mostert’s offseason plan: build more muscle to withstand a 200-plus carry workload.
No. 9: Jimmie Ward, DB
Ward finally proved all his coaches right. The 2014 first-round pick, San Francisco’s longest tenured defensive player, played in 16 games for the first time in years after landing on the injured reserve list in four of the previous five seasons. Ward still has injury concerns but there’s little doubt of his value at free safety. He proved to have good range and might be the best form tackler on the team. He was Pro Football Focus’ eighth-highest-graded safety in the NFL. It’s no wonder despite a lengthy injury history, Ward has lasted with 49ers through tenures of Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula, Chip Kelly and now Kyle Shanahan. His focus this offseason is on turnovers. He had no forced fumbles or interceptions last season.
No. 8: Deebo Samuel, WR
Samuel is one of the most inexperienced players on this list. But he’s at No. 8 because of the value he provided as a rookie and what it could mean going forward. Samuel had more yards from scrimmage than any first-year receiver in 49ers history with 961. Second on that list: Jerry Rice with 953 in 1985. Nearly 17 percent of Samuel’s output came on the ground. He was regularly used in jet sweeps and lined up in the backfield. He averaged 11.4 yards on 14 carries; three went for touchdowns. Samuel set a record for wideouts with 53 rushing yards in the Super Bowl. Samuel has star potential, particularly if he can make a second-year jump like his teammate, George Kittle in 2018, and not regress like Dante Pettis in 2019.
No. 7: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB
Yes, Garoppolo is a good quarterback. He ran the gamut of great to questionable throughout his B-plus 2019. But there are questions. Can he continue to get better after starting all year for the first time since entering the NFL? Can he put his miserable fourth quarter in the Super Bowl behind him? Can he cut down on bone-headed interceptions? The funny thing about the Garoppolo discussion, some wonder if he would be considered the next Joe Montana or Steve Young had he not overthrown Emmanuel Sanders in the Super Bowl. Now doubters wonder if Garoppolo will ever be good enough. It’s amazing what one throw can do for perception. Bottom line, Garoppolo was the NFL’s only quarterback to finish in the top five in yards per attempt (8.4, third), touchdown throws (27, fifth) and completion rate (69.1 percent, fourth). He’s 23-6 as a starter, including the postseason.
No. 6: Fred Warner, LB
Third-round picks aren’t often given the keys to the defense as rookies. Warner is an exception. He’s been relaying calls in the huddle from coordinator Robert Saleh during his two seasons as the 49ers’ middle linebacker. And he’s on a trajectory to become one of the better linebackers in the league. November’s NFC defensive player of the month was Pro Football Focus’ seventh-best linebacker in coverage last season. His interception of Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl would have been far more memorable if the defense didn’t help give up the 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. Still, the 23-year-old acts, and plays, like he’s been around much longer than two-plus seasons. He’ll be eligible to sign a lucrative extension next offseason near the top of the market.
Look for Nos. 5 through 1 later this week.