2021 NFL Power Rankings: San Francisco 49ers
Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Here is where the San Francisco 49ers rank in terms of average, best and worst:
- Average ranking: 5.6 (4th)
- Best ranking: 2nd (CBS Sports)
- Worst ranking: 11th (USA Today)
Below you will find a Week 3 roundup for the 49ers in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 4
Fantasy surprise: WR Deebo Samuel
It's not really a surprise that Samuel is productive. It's more surprising just how productive he has been through the first two weeks. Samuel has 282 receiving yards, which is the third most by any 49er through two weeks in franchise history. On a team that has other dynamic pass-catchers such as tight end George Kittle and wideout Brandon Aiyuk, Samuel has established himself as Jimmy Garoppolo's favorite target. And after an offseason spent working on strengthening his body to stay healthier, there's little reason to believe Samuel is going to slow down much so long as his good health continues. -- Nick Wagoner
It's not really a surprise that Samuel is productive. It's more surprising just how productive he has been through the first two weeks. Samuel has 282 receiving yards, which is the third most by any 49er through two weeks in franchise history. On a team that has other dynamic pass-catchers such as tight end George Kittle and wideout Brandon Aiyuk, Samuel has established himself as Jimmy Garoppolo's favorite target. And after an offseason spent working on strengthening his body to stay healthier, there's little reason to believe Samuel is going to slow down much so long as his good health continues. -- Nick Wagoner
NFL.com -- Rank: 7
We don't know how Trey Lance is developing behind the scenes in the eyes of the 49ers, but it's fair to wonder what Kyle Shanahan really thinks about Jimmy Garoppolo leading his offense. Is it similar to the thoughts that apparently danced through the head of Sean McVay as he watched Jared Goff a year ago? Garoppolo struggled mightily for stretches of a 17-11 win over the Eagles -- a game in which the Niners couldn't even produce a first down until the second quarter. It worked in Week 2 because the Eagles are a work-in-progress in their own right, but will this win-ugly version of KyleBall work when the competition stiffens? A Sunday night matchup against the Packers could provide some clarity.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 2
It wasn't pretty against the Eagles, but they got to 2-0. The defense did some good things, but it will be really challenged this week against the Packers.
USA Today -- Rank: 11
Rookie QB Trey Lance went from four snaps in Week 1 to none Sunday. Advantage Jimmy Garoppolo? Or is coach Kyle Shanahan keeping something under wraps for Sunday night's home opener against Green Bay?
The Athletic -- Rank: 4
Jimmy Garoppolo's numbers are reflective of what the 49ers can be -- 22-of-30 for 189 yards, one touchdown, no picks in a defensive-dominant win. That worked against the Eagles, but Trey Lance is here to take the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan's offense to another level. We haven't seen enough of Lance yet to know what that can mean, but we have seen plenty of Garoppolo running this offense to know what that ceiling is.
Previous updates:
- San Francisco 49ers 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Week 2
- San Francisco 49ers 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Week 1
- San Francisco 49ers 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Draft
More San Francisco 49ers pages:
- San Francisco 49ers Mock Draft Roundup
- San Francisco 49ers Snap Counts
- San Francisco 49ers Franchise Leaders
- San Francisco 49ers Draft History
- San Francisco 49ers Schedule
- San Francisco 49ers Tickets
- 2022 NFL Mock Draft
- 2023 NFL Mock Draft
- 2022 NBA Mock Draft
- Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start'em, Sit'em
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
- NFL Power Rankings
Keep track of our site's updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) like us on Facebook and/or (3) subscribe to our newsletter.