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49ers outside the top-10 in 2026 NFL roster rankings
TL;DR
The San Francisco 49ers are ranked 11th in the 2026 NFL roster rankings, just outside the top 10. Despite a strong offense, concerns about their defensive line impact their overall ranking.
Key points
- 49ers ranked 11th in 2026 NFL roster rankings
- Projected expected margin of victory is plus-2.5
- Concerns about the defensive line impact overall ranking
San Francisco 49ersSeattle SeahawksJacksonville JaguarsNick Bosa
The San Francisco 49ers hope to regain their footing as the top team in the NFC West this year after falling one game short of that feat this past season. Despite finishing 12-5, the 49ers finished third in the division and lost in the Divisional Round to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
But while the 49ers made strides to improve their roster for 2026, a new project model from The Athletic's Austin Mock ranked San Francisco outside of the top 10. The model, which takes into account different metrics for different positions and predicts an expected margin of victory (xMOV) against an average NFL roster, ranked the 49ers as the No. 11 best team in the league with a plus-2.5 xMOV. That tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here's Mock's take on this ranking:
I'm a little shocked to see the 49ers projected this low, but I cringe when I look at their defensive line — it's a bottom-five unit, and that's with my model liking Nick Bosa and Osa Odighizuwa. The 49ers will need a big jump from Mykel Williams, and would benefit from solid play from Romello Height. If not for that issue, San Francisco would rank in the top 10.
The good news: Kyle Shanahan's offense is awesome and can prop up a poor defense for the second straight year.
Q&A
Why are the 49ers ranked 11th in the 2026 NFL roster rankings?
The 49ers are ranked 11th due to concerns about their defensive line, which is considered a bottom-five unit, despite having a strong offense.
What is the expected margin of victory (xMOV) for the 49ers in 2026?
The 49ers have a projected expected margin of victory (xMOV) of plus-2.5, which ties them with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Who are key players affecting the 49ers' defensive line ranking?
Key players affecting the 49ers' defensive line ranking include Nick Bosa and Osa Odighizuwa, with expectations for Mykel Williams to make significant improvements.