How 49ers starting lineup stacks up against NFL's best after major offseason losses

After finishing their 2024 campaign with an abysmal 6-11 record and in last place in the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers made a lot of changes to their roster over the last few months.San Francisco lost several contributors in free agency, including guard Aaron Banks, linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, cornerback Charvarius Ward, safety Talanoa Hufanga and edge rusher Leonard Floyd.

They also traded away wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick.To fill some of their biggest holes, the 49ers went on to trade for edge rusher Bryce Huff, sign safety Jason Pinnock, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, punter Thomas Morstead and cornerback Tre Brown.

They also targeted defense early in the 2025 NFL draft, taking edge rusher Mykel Williams in the first round and defensive tackle Alfred Collins in the second.

As San Francisco prepares for the start of their training camp, ESPN is taking a look at the projected starting lineups of all 32 teams around the NFL and ranking them, and on Monday, they ranked the 49ers No.

10.ESPN's Mike Clay identified their biggest strength as the tight end room with five-time All-Pro George Kittle leading the way."Tight end.

I could've gone a few directions, but George Kittle gets the nod following yet another outstanding season," Clay wrote.

"Despite the 49ers' struggles and nearly three full missed games due to injury, Kittle finished top five among tight ends in yards and touchdowns for the third consecutive season (he has finished top 10 in yards seven years in a row).

Kittle paced the position in yards per route run for the fifth time in seven seasons.

He was also PFF's top-graded tight end in blocking.

Luke Farrell and Ross Dwelley were signed as upgraded depth."Clay also identified the defensive tackle room as their biggest weakness, despite addition of Collins and fourth-round pick C.J.

West."I was tempted to go with the secondary, but the 49ers' DT situation might be the worst in the league," Clay wrote.

"Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave signed elsewhere, and the team's only impact additions were draft picks Alfred Collins (second round) and CJ West (fourth).

Jordan Elliott (a rotational player) tops the depth chart, and competitors Kevin Givens, Evan Anderson and Kalia Davis all played less than 30% of the team's defensive snaps last season.

The Niners figure to add more help and/or move Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu inside more often."NFL analyst Seth Walder had two pretty obvious answers when it came to the X-factors for the 49ers in 2025."The health of running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk," Walder wrote.

"If the former can play most of the season, and the latter can come back and regain his 2023 form, we will again be in awe of the plethora of playmakers in San Francisco.

If not, this team could still compete, but it likely requires a second-year breakout from Ricky Pearsall and another great season from Kittle (along with Jauan Jennings continuing his 2024 level of play if he's still on the team)."San Francisco was listed behind the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals.More 49ers: 4 intriguing safety options 49ers should consider signing after releasing George OdumThis article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers depth chart: ESPN lists starting lineup as 10th-best in NFL.

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