NFL Power Rankings: A Post-2017 NFL Draft Look at All 32 Teams

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

. San Francisco 49ers. 25. team. 42. . 2-14

Key NFL Draft Additions: DE Solomon Thomas, ILB Reuben Foster, CB Ahkello Witherspoon

It’s weird to think the 49ers defense may actually be pretty good in 2017. At least up front.

San Francisco engineered trades to get Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas and Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster in Round 1, while adding more draft capital in the process. That alone lets fans know general manager John Lynch is the right guy for the job.

Paired with defensive standouts NaVorro Bowman and DeForest Buckner, the Niners’ front seven figures to be one of its strengths.

San Francisco still needs a lot of help on offense though, and running back Joe Williams could eventually take the starting job away from Carlos Hyde.

The 49ers climb two spots in our NFL power rankings, but they are still just in the initial phases of an all-out rebuild.