Where do Buccaneers rank among division winners likely to repeat in 2024?
By Brad Smith
No. 8: San Fransisco 49ers
Similar to Kansas City, San Fransisco is in little to no danger of losing the division crown this year. Having won the NFC West in three of the last five years, the 49ers are set to repeat in 2024 behind an elite offense third-year quarterback Brock Purdy, superstar running Christain McCaffery, wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, and tight end George Kittle.
The 49ers' defense projects to be just as prominent in 2024, especially with the return of defensive end Nick Bosa, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, and cornerback Charvarius Ward.
Having a loaded group of stars on both sides of the ball didn't stop San Fransisco from upgrading in the offseason, however. Overall, general manager John Lynch prioritized retooling the Niners' defense, adding defensive ends Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin in free agency.
With eight picks in the 2024 draft, San Fransico added potential and talent at wide receiver and cornerback with their first two picks, adding Florida's Ricky Pearsall and Florida State's Renardo Green at No. 31 and No. 64. The 49ers bolstered their o-line with the selections of Kansas' Dominick Puni and USC's Jarrett Kingston, while grabbing Wake Forest safety Malik Mustapha in the fourth round.
Unlike Kansas City and the AFC West, San Fransisco will look to repeat as division champs in a much deeper and more competitive division. Both Los Angeles and Seattle made notable acquisitions this offseason after finishing 2023 at 10-7 and 9-8, but did suffer some major losses as well. Arizona is a popular pick to rebound after a 4-13 campaign last year, but San Fransisco still feels like the obvious pick to repeat in 2024.