Power ranking 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo, other NFC West quarterbacks
By Peter Panacy
Where does the 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo stand among NFC West quarterbacks entering 2021? Niner Noise power ranks the division’s four starters.
Two of the NFC West’s four teams made massive changes under center during the offseason, the Los Angeles Rams trading away their former first-round pick, Jared Goff, in a package to the Detroit Lions in exchange for one-time Pro Bowler Matthew Stafford.
The San Francisco 49ers, meanwhile, traded up aggressively in this year’s NFL Draft to land North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance, all but signifying a sooner-than-later end of Jimmy Garoppolo‘s tenure with the Niners.
Exactly how much of a power shift happens within the NFC West this season because of these two moves is anyone’s guess. Stafford is expected to come in and start right away, whereas Lance isn’t anticipated to take over for Jimmy G anytime soon.
The NFC West’s other two starters, the Arizona Cardinals‘ Kyler Murray and Seattle Seahawks‘ Russell Wilson, round out a division that could potentially send all four teams to the postseason this year.
Seriously, the NFC West is that challenging.
But who is the best heading into 2021? And where do San Francisco fans see Garoppolo line up against the rest of the division’s signal-callers?
Let’s rank the four out, power-rankings style.
player. 32. . . . Kyler Murray. 4
Murray, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, worked his way towards his first Pro Bowl nod last year after completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,971 yards and 26 touchdowns against only 12 interceptions, also adding 819 rush yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
As far as all-purpose weapons go, Murray is the real deal. Plus, with the Cardinals adding some offensive line help while also adding former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green to pair with superstar wideout DeAndre Hopkins, there’s little reason to assume Murray doesn’t continue his upward trajectory entering 2021.
OK, so why is Murray ranked No. 4 on this list? 49ers fans who aren’t enamored with Garoppolo won’t be impressed with that, right?
Well, if there’s one key area holding Murray back, it’s Arizona’s coaching.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury struggles to maximize Murray’s best attributes, and Kingsbury’s in-game coaching tendencies are becoming more of a hindrance than a boost. It’s yet another example why college coaches often have difficulties at the NFL level.
Coaching is such a huge part of the NFL, meaning Murray could be an even better quarterback under a pro-level head coach.
Murray has the tools, but Kingsbury ensures the quarterback stays at No. 4 on this list.