Power ranking 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo, other NFC West quarterbacks

There isn’t a lot separating Jimmy Garoppolo from Kyler Murray, at least in terms of the Nos. 3 and 4 spots on this power-rankings list.

But if Garoppolo has one thing going for him, it’s head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Shanahan’s offense, one of the most innovative and explosive within the NFL, can turn above-average signal-callers into MVP candidates (see: Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan in 2016). If one was to go back and watch the tape last year, Shanahan was regularly getting receiving targets open, and only lackluster backup-quarterback play from Niners QBs like Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard kept the offense from clicking.

Speaking of backups, San Francisco has had to rely on them too often over the last three years, thanks to Garoppolo suffering a torn ACL in 2018 and then multiple high-ankle sprains last year.

The year in between, however, Garoppolo tossed an impressive 3,978 total yards, which ended up ranking fourth best on the 49ers’ all-time list for single-season passing.

While Garoppolo is neither commanding or dominant under center, his physical attributes limit him here, he can be successful within the right system, and Shanahan’s is perfectly tailored for it.

With the 49ers restocking their offensive line during the offseason quite a bit, namely by re-signing left tackle Trent Williams, adding Pro Bowl center Alex Mack and drafting Notre Dame pass-blocking guard Aaron Banks, Jimmy G shouldn’t be feeling the heat as much from opposing pass-rushers.

He will, however, be feeling the heat from Trey Lance sooner than later, though.