here's the write up from Rosenthal:
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfc-west-projected-starters-for-2024-nfl-season-49ers-rams-cards-will-score-system-fits-in-seattle
- The 49ers are returning the same starting offensive personnel that led the league in every efficiency metric by a wide margin. That's rare, and it's not like this team is old.
- In performing this exercise, the instinct is to immediately insert first-round picks like Ricky Pearsall into the starting lineup. The 49ers drafted him high for a reason, but Jauan Jennings is too good in his role to summarily displace. Pearsall feels more like a potential injury replacement who will have a bigger impact in 2025.
- I forgot Josh Dobbs is on this team. He'll be fun to watch in this offense if he's ever needed.
- Outside of all-world LT Trent Williams, the offensive line never impresses with overall talent. The unit short-circuited in big moments during the Super Bowl. Yet this group almost always plays better than the sum of its parts, especially in the run game.
- Brandon Aiyuk could get a big contract extension this offseason. If the 49ers break up their receiver duo after this year, Deebo Samuel Sr. feels more likely to get dealt.
- Fourth-round combine hero Isaac Guerendo will be a fun player to watch in the preseason to see if he can win the backup job at running back.
- The defensive line has a different vibe. The 49ers went hard on solid mid-level veterans who can soak up snaps, signing Leonard Floyd, Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott and Yetur Gross-Matos. Beyond Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave, the group is not as flashy as it once was.
- Linebacker Dre Greenlaw will probably miss the start of the season after tearing his Achilles in the Super Bowl. In the meantime, former Packer De'Vondre Campbell is the favorite to take his place.
- The cornerback group, like the offensive line, appears to have holes every year. And then it works out just fine. The group has a number of players who can play inside or out, including second-rounder Renardo Green.
- The 49ers missed Talanoa Hufanga's playmaking down the stretch last season. The safety, who tore his ACL last November, should be ready for Week 1.
- The biggest questions here are intangible. After getting so close year after year, can the 49ers rev up the engine again? They have the offense to dominate.