While many fans are bearish of the 49ers this offseason, NFL.com's post-draft power rankings suggest the exact opposite.
It's understandable to think the San Francisco 49ers trended in the wrong direction over the early stages of the 2025 offseason, particularly after losing so much talent at the outset of the league new year.
Then, following 11 picks in the NFL Draft to close out April, some feel head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad didn't quite get it right and land the necessary talent to return to the ranks of Super Bowl contenders.
Heck, Pro Football Focus gave the Niners the worst draft grade out of all 32 teams. And that's just one example of criticism Shanahan and Co. are facing to date.
Not all are bearish on San Francisco, however.
The 49ers had a clear-cut strategy entering the draft, especially solving front-seven woes on defense where both the defensive line and linebacker groups were hurting for both talent and depth.
Given those were the top priorities, it's not hard understanding why NFL.com's latest post-draft power rankings are looking at the Niners in a favorable light.
NFL.com moves 49ers up 3 spots in post-draft power rankings
Taking a look at all teams after the draft's conclusion, NFL.com's Eric Edholm felt San Francisco did precisely what it needed to do to improve a depleted roster:
"The 49ers used their first five picks on defense before finally pivoting to the offensive side on Day 3. It was not a shocking approach for a team whose depth chart felt pretty lean after the roster was raided in free agency. Mykel Williams could be a terrific pick in time, and I like Alfred Collins and CJ West to earn snaps inside. We'll see if the Niners plugged enough holes this offseason, but they allocated their resources well, I think."
Prior to the draft, Edholm had the 49ers skewed to the lower half of NFL power rankings at No. 18.
Now, the Niners are listed at No. 15.
Edholm continued:
"I know people are a little down on the 49ers, relatively speaking, but remember the last time they fell off, with a 6-10 season in 2020? They followed that up with three straight NFC Championship Game appearances. I'm counting on this team competing again under Kyle Shanahan."
Granted, the boost doesn't quite get San Francisco out of the middle of the pack, stuck somewhere between a non-contending squad and one that could feasibly earn a playoff berth, especially within a not-quite overly competitive NFC West.
Speaking of the division, Edholm has the Los Angeles Rams ranked eighth in NFL power rankings after the draft.
Still, Edholm is bullish on how the 49ers reacted thus far to what's been a tough offseason, and the Niners' provocative draft class had a lot of say in that judgment.