The NFC was the San Francisco 49ers invitational last season, as they finished with the best record in the conference and just one possession away from winning Super Bowl LVIII. Of course, the playoff path to the Super Bowl wasn’t as easy as the regular season — as San Francisco overcame halftime deficits in both its playoff games to advance.
The rest of the NFC is catching up to San Francisco, as the 49ers still have to make a few crucial decisions to their roster. Until they are dethroned, they’ll still the team to beat in the NFC.
How does the rest of the conference stack up to the 49ers? This is how the NFC hierarchy shakes up after the 2024 NFL Draft.
1. San Francisco 49ers
2023 record: 12-5 (reached Super Bowl LVIII)
The 49ers remain the team to beat in the NFC, as the core of their offense still has Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and Trent Williams. They addressed the right side of the line with Dominick Puni in the third round while adding depth at the skill positions with Ricky Pearsall and Isaac Guerendo.
Leonard Floyd was a strong addition to a pass rush that didn’t hit the mark with Chase Young while De’Vondre Campbell should hold the fort with Dre Greenlaw recovering from his Achilles injury. Second-round pick Renardo Green should compete for a starting job at cornerback.
The 49ers still have to address an Aiyuk extension and/or potential trades regarding him and Samuel. Right now, the intent is to keep both. This is a “Super Bowl or bust” year for the 49ers in 2024.
2023 record: 12-5 (reached NFC Championship)
The draft is where the Lions shine, as they hit a home run by selecting Terrion Arnold in the first round. Arnold should be a Week 1 starter at cornerback for a secondary that needed a playmaker at the position. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. fell to No. 61 in the second round, giving the Lions needed depth at the corner position, too. Sione Vaki, who can play at running back or safety, appears to be playing the former for Detroit, giving the Lions more depth behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Detroit did add guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency to replace Jonah Jackson and signed star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown to a massive extension. With the core of the offense still intact, the Lions are set up to make another deep playoff run. If wide receiver Jameson Williams takes the next step, the…
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