There has been no shortage of media members proclaiming the San Francisco 49ers to be the most-improved NFL team this offseason — especially over the past 24 hours.
First, Brian Baldinger said he didn't see any glaring weaknesses with the 49ers. Then ESPN Radio host John Clayton named San Francisco as one of his two most-improved teams.
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah didn't want to be left out, either. He named Kyle Shanahan's squad as his most-improved team in 2019.
5 Most Improved Teams (Biggest jump in wins this season)
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) July 18, 2019
1) SF
2) JAX
3) OAK
4) NYJ
5) ATL
Jeremiah joined the "Joe, Lo and Dibs" show on 95.7 The Game on Thursday to discuss the 49ers. As you probably know, the analyst's specialty is the NFL Draft, so he started with San Francisco's first-round pick, Nick Bosa. He believes the rookie is even more polished than his older brother, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa.
As far as what to expect from the younger Bosa this season, Jeremiah said, "My focus would just be the number 16 because if he can [stay] healthy for 16 [games], he's going to get double-digit sacks. I think that's going to happen. To me, it's just about him staying healthy."
Jeremiah understands that much of the 49ers' success, at least on the defensive side of the ball, depends on the secondary. The team bolstered its pass rush with the additions of Bosa and veteran Dee Ford but mostly ignored the secondary this offseason. One addition was often-injured cornerback Jason Verrett.
"I think a sneaky-good signing is Jason Verrett because you talk to anybody with the Chargers, when he's been healthy — and that's been a major, major issue — but when he's been healthy, he's played at an elite level," Jeremiah said.
The 49ers secondary will be tested early, says Jeremiah, when the team opens the regular season with a road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The analyst called the Buccaneers a "scary" team "nobody is talking about."
While Jeremiah doesn't want to overlook the Cincinnati Bengals, the 49ers' Week 2 opponent, he does say, "That's a game you have to win early in the season."
Finishing up with the defense, Jeremiah also liked the 49ers' signing of Kwon Alexander, who he called "one of the better young linebackers in the NFL."
On offense, Jeremiah named George Kittle as the second-best tight end in the NFL behind Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and is very excited to see rookie wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
"It's going to be fun to see how he's utilized," Jeremiah said of Samuel.
The rookie isn't the only young receiver Jeremiah mentioned. He feels second-year wideout, Dante Pettis, can develop into one of the "best young deep threats" in the league.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Jeremiah below. The conversation begins at about the 51:10 mark within the first clip and then continues within the second. Note: There is some overlap.
