Arizona Cardinals: 2015 NFL Preseason Power Rankings
By Scott Allen
Jun 11, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on during minicamp at Levi
2014 season record: 8-8
Top additions: DT Darnell Dockett, WR Torrey Smith, DL Arik Armstead
Top departures: LB Patrick Willis, WR Michael Crabtree, DE Justin Smith, G Mike Iupati, LB Chris Borland, CB Chris Culliver, RB Frank Gore
2015 projection: 5-11, 4th NFC West, miss playoffs
I listed more top departures for the Niners than any other team and for good reason. They lost a lot of players. A lot. Players retiring and leaving via free agency was the name of the game in the offseason. The Niners also got a new coach. That may be the best move the Niners made all offseason.
I think the Niners are going to show that you can’t lose all the players they did and expect to be competitive the next season. I just don’t see how this team gels enough to win in 2015. I realize 5-11 might be a stretch projection for them because they still do have Colin Kaepernick at quarterback. However I think this is the year St. Louis passes them by.