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Should the 49ers bring Trey Lance back for the playoffs if he's healthy?

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 21:39:08 GMT

What if Trey Lance was healthy enough to play come January. Could the San Francisco 49ers bring back their young star for the Super Bowl chase?

It all started with a tweet, as so many stories do, these days. Trey Lance was spotted by ESPN's Nick Wagoner in the San Francisco 49ers locker room walking without the aid of a boot, or crutches.

This is not an insignificant milestone. Roughly two months ago, Lance suffered an extremely painful and disruptive ankle injury, as described by Wagoner.

The fact that he is already making these strides is encouraging. Both in the short and long term.

Recently, 49ers general manager John Lynch discussed Lance's approach to rehab. He praised the young quarterback and made it clear Lance is doing everything humanly possible to get back to full strength as quickly as possible.

“You know what you have to do? Exactly what Trey is doing already, and that’s to be a man possessed on recovery and doing everything possible. And that’s what Trey’s doing," Lynch told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports.

"He’s living here. He’s in our team meetings, which has been awesome to see. I think it lifts the guys. He’s invested in his team, but he’s also invested in the healing process. That was frustrating for him early on because it was a non-weight-bearing thing, so he was on that little scooter for a while (laughs), which guys were having fun with him about. Now he’s on crutches, you know, partial weight-bearing, but he’s grinding.

"He’s convicted to come back and put himself in the best position to be a guy for this team moving forward. And that’s what it takes, that kind of single-mindedness, and he has it. It’s one of the reasons we brought him here.”

Suddenly, many are wondering if there's any chance at all the 49ers would consider opening the practice window for Lance, who is currently on Injured Reserve.

When he was initially injured, the 49ers wasted no time ruling Lance out for the remainder of the 2022 NFL season, including the playoffs. Now people are beginning to ponder a reality where the young quarterback could potentially be ready for action before the offseason.

My two cents is this: I would rather see the 49ers stay the course and wait until next season to reinsert Lance into the conversation.

First of all, if the 49ers are in the playoffs, that almost certainly means Jimmy Garoppolo has been pretty darn good most of the season. And there's no way in hell Kyle Shanahan is going to making a quarterback change at that point in the proceedings. He's just like that.

Most of the discourse on social media regarding this topic revolves around Trey Lance coming back as Garoppolo's backup. Because most of us rational fans all get that about Shanahan.

But all it would take is one brain fart interception for fans to start clamoring for Lance to be inserted into the starting lineup. And there are absolutely some reporters who would ask Shanahan if he would consider benching Garoppolo, should the 49ers overcome such an interception and go on to win the game.

It's an unnecessary distraction.

And it's one I believe the 49ers should not, and will not consider inserting into their Quest for Six, should they get that far in 2022.

What's your take? Let us know in the comments section below.

49ers' championship aspirations rekindled after dominating rival Rams

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 22:52:00 GMT

The San Francisco 49ers are set up for a second-half run after a convincing 31-14 victory over their hated rival, the Los Angeles Rams.

The San Francisco 49ers began the 2022 NFL season with one goal (winning a Super Bowl) and a roster that appeared more than capable of meeting it. Then, life came at them fast. A team that entered Week 8 defined by its injuries and self-inflicted wounds, San Francisco was in danger of falling into a very deep hole .

It's fair to say the 49ers dug deep and found something they can carry with them the rest of the way.

Following a shaky first half that saw them down by four points, the Niners put together the best half of football we've seen so far in 2022. Offense, defense and special teams contributed to a stunningly one-sided thrashing. At the end of the game, the 49ers waltzed into their much-needed bye week with a 31-14 win that sets them up perfectly for a playoff run.

Thanks to the addition of do-it-all-superstar Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers had their best offensive game of the season.

You likely don't need me to tell you that McCaffrey's performance was one for the record books. Yet it bears repeating.

He became the fourth player since the 1970 merger to run, throw, and catch a touchdown in a single game. Racking up 146 yards and two scores on 26 touches as a runner and receiver, he added 34 yards passing thanks to a gorgeous deep throw to a wide-open Brandon Aiyuk.

Jimmy Garoppolo was ruthlessly efficient and had perhaps his best game ever as a pro. He finished with 235 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-25 passing. Both his touchdown throws were the result of high-level quarterbacking rarely seen in recent years.

The touchdown pass to McCaffrey was gorgeous to me, because Garoppolo didn't lose his cool inside a chaotic pocket, read the field and, on his fifth read, found the running back with an excellent touch pass over the top of nearby defenders.

Later, in the fourth quarter, Garoppolo and George Kittle put a dagger in the heart of the Rams. Rolling out to his left on a designed bootleg, Jimmy fired a dart into the back of the end zone where only Kittle could come down with it. The location was excellent here, and it highlights just how "on" Garoppolo was on Sunday.

Now, Jimmy G got real lucky a couple of times, too. Even in the midst of his masterpiece, Garoppolo fired off a couple of inexplicably bad balls. In particular, the ball he threw at Jalen Ramsey's face on 2nd-and-9 early in the third quarter -- a ball Ramsey had in his hands no less than three times before ultimately botching the interception -- was bonkers.

After punting the ball away, the 49ers finally mustered a third-down stop after allowing six straight conversions. That led to a stunning sequence that sealed the game away: San Francisco's offense caught fire, scoring three touchdowns in a row, and its defense responded in kind.

The dropped interception by Ramsey was but one of a few pivotal moments of the game. Tyler Higbee's drop early in the fourth quarter probably cost the Rams a touchdown. Christian McCaffrey fumbled twice, and if not for Ray-Ray McCloud being Johnny-on-the-spot while laying on the ground things could have worked out a whole lot differently than they did.

Football is like that, though. That's why there are people in the analytics community who track things like fumble recovery luck and dropped interceptions. Garoppolo and the 49ers got extremely lucky on Sunday on a number of occasions:

Luck had nothing to do with the turnaround we witnessed from the 49ers on defense, however.

The first half of football was pretty frustrating for Nick Bosa and Co. The Rams were intent on bleeding them dry with a steady diet of screens. Stafford barely got touched in the first two quarters (one single pressure on 22 attempts). He led two long scoring drives in a row at one point, keeping his offense on the field for 26 plays and 14 minutes, 56 seconds of game clock during that stretch.

The second half was another story altogether. The Rams could do absolutely nothing after the 49ers finally got their third-down stop at the nine-minute mark of the third quarter. In their final four offensive possessions, the Rams managed to get off just 17 plays, gaining 11 yards of offense.

After the game, Bosa talked about what it took to affect such a drastic change:

"We had to come in at halftime and realize it's that type of game and we're not going to get after (Stafford) until we get after the screens and the play action stuff," Bosa told reporters after the game (h/t David Lombardi of The Athletic ). "Once we figured that out, we shut them down."

The adjustments made at halftime by DeMeco Ryans and his defense are what excite this football nerd the most. For most of two-and-a-half games (Atlanta, Kansas City, and first half of Los Angeles), Ryans had been on the losing side of the play-calling battles.

Then, it all came together.

The Rams aren't the Chiefs. So let's not get too crazy about what happened. But what happened couldn't have come at a better time for this team.

Now at 4-4 on the season, the 49ers are in great shape to win the NFC West with a 3-0 record in their division. Looking ahead to Week 10, when they'll take on the Los Angeles Chargers, the 49ers are expected to get back a host of their starters.

My take on the 49ers ever since Trey Lance was injured is that they will win 10 games and the NFC West. Baked into that prediction is the expectation that Garoppolo will probably have two or three more really frustrating games in which he is a major reason the 49ers lost.

But if Garoppolo can play like he did on Sunday against the Rams the rest of the way, minus the hiccups, there is no telling just how good the 49ers can be.

Deebo Samuel and McCaffrey are basically interchangeable parts and can literally do anything you want. Brandon Aiyuk continues to evolve as a star, catching 21 balls for 246 yards and three touchdowns his last three games. George Kittle looks like himself again. Kyle Juszczyk is almost like having another Kittle.

Defensively, the loss of Emmanuel Moseley is proving to be quite costly, indeed. At this point, it's been hard to replace him, and it's caused a little bit if complication to the rest of the secondary. Jimmie Ward playing out of position is the biggest, most obvious illustration of this.

However, Jason Verrett should soon be back, and Deommodore Lenoir is playing fairly well in Year 2. Getting Dre Greenlaw back will be huge. He is without question one of the best linebackers in the league. If Arik Armstead can get healthy and stay healthy, the defensive line will also become a nightmare once again.

The season is long. So far it's been one heck of a roller-coaster ride. But with a two-week rest and a favorable schedule the rest of the way, the 49ers are still in the driver's seat to accomplish what they set out to do. This is a championship-caliber team that just needs to get lucky with health at the right time and avoid self-inflicted wounds.

The Quest for 6 is still within reach.

Pressure cooker: 49ers who must step up in pivotal Rams game

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 23:44:16 GMT

The San Francisco 49ers are trending down after two straight losses. It's time for their stars to shine in Week 8.

The San Francisco 49ers are at a critical moment in the 2022 NFL season. Following two losses in a row, they are a third-place team with a 3-4 record and a potential identity crisis brewing , should they fail to take care of business on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Fans are surely heartened thinking of the 49ers' recent dominance over the Rams. Just a few weeks back, San Francisco thrashed Los Angeles with a 24-9 victory that shouldn't have been nearly as close as the score suggests.

Let me be the first to tell you that Sunday's NFC West showdown is going to be anything but easy.

The 49ers have a whole list of mistakes they need to rectify to avoid falling to 3-5 heading into the bye week. In all three phases -- offense, defense, and special teams -- they must improve. There's a ton of pressure on Kyle Shanahan and DeMeco Ryans to dial up a winning game plan.

The Rams are also fighting for playoff relevancy after a 3-3 start that was anything but impressive. But they will be the fresher team following a bye of their own. And they'll have had two weeks to prepare for their bitter rival.

If the 49ers are going to avoid a third-straight loss, it will certainly take a team-wide effort. However, there are a few players who bear a bigger burden of responsibility.

Obviously one of them is Jimmy Garoppolo. The quarterback is always going to be at the top of a list like this. But we already know with Garoppolo it's a toss-up, and that horse has already been beaten to death.

These are the guys not named Jimmy Garoppolo who must step up for the 49ers to beat L.A. once again.

Brandon Aiyuk, Wide Receiver

Aiyuk has star power. Every single game you can tell he has the ability to be one of those rare guys who can absolutely take a game over. We got a taste of that in Week 6 when he went off for eight catches, 83 yards and two touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons.

The past two weeks, both of which were in losing causes, Aiyuk has mostly been a bright spot. He's piled up 15 receptions for 165 yards and two scores. He also has been subject to a few infuriating drops (like the rest of San Francisco's receiving corps), and needs to work on consistency in that regard.

Looking ahead to Sunday against the Rams, Aiyuk's responsibilities may grow larger than is typical for the 24-year-old budding star. Deebo Samuel isn't going to play. He's missed practice all week dealing with a hamstring injury. The 49ers made it clear he won't " be put in harm's way ," (h/t Niners Nation), and they proved it by holding him out of this weekend's contest.

Given the 49ers' recent defensive struggles, the offense may need to score four-plus touchdowns. Feeding Aiyuk will go a long way toward meeting that goal. I have a feeling he's ready to break out in a major way this Sunday against Jalen Ramsey and the Rams.

Nick Bosa, Defensive End

Nick Bosa had the 49ers' only sack of Patrick Mahomes in Week 7, yet his overall performance was well under his high standards. Typically, Bosa practically lives in the backfield. Last Sunday, he managed two overall pressures. That's not great.

Bosa was also roasted a few times on plays targeting San Francisco's edge.

The last time the 49ers faced the Rams, Bosa had a field day. He ended up with an absurd 14 pressures, and Stafford looked like he'd been on the losing end of a heavyweight fight after the game. That's the type of game Bosa needs to have again this Sunday.

Make it happen, big guy. The Faithful are ready to be entertained.

Jimmie Ward, Defensive Back

In case you were wondering, yes, I did purposefully write "defensive back" instead of "safety." Ward played almost exclusively at nickel cornerback last Sunday against the Chiefs. It wasn't always pretty, either.

Ward is an All-Pro-caliber free safety and is the best free safety on the team as well. However, the season-ending injury to star cornerback Emmanuel Moseley changed the 49ers' depth at that position, and in the course of that adjustment it so happens Ward is the team's best option at nickel.

Additionally, the duo of Tashaun Gipson and Talanoa Hufanga on the back end has, until last weekend, yielded little but beautiful results. There's a chance that Jason Verrett, recently activated off the PUP list, can ultimately become a full-time contributor and potentially push Ward back to safety.

Until then, however, the team's longest-tenured player must stretch himself and tackle the unenviable task of stopping Cooper Kupp, who is arguably the best receiver the league has to offer.

Breaking point or launchpad? 49ers face defining moment of season against Rams

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 20:56:20 GMT

Coming off two straight losses, the 3-4 San Francisco 49ers absolutely must win Sunday against their hated rival, the Los Angeles Rams.

There are critical moments in every game. Moments that define the outcome. Sometimes it's a big hit that turns into a fumble recovery for the defense,. Other times it comes in the form of a long touchdown run. Even other times it's a throw that went out of bounds, rather than into the arms of a defender.

The same can be said for seasons. Certain games mean more, and this weekend's game is one of those. The San Francisco 49ers are at a pivotal moment heading into their Week 8 road matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

With a victory, the 49ers will go into their bye week with a 4-4 record, and more importantly a 3-0 record in the NFC West. They will be in the middle of a crowded pack in what's clearly a wide-open conference. They'll also be in the driver's seat to win their division.

If the 49ers take care of business and trounce the Rams like we know they can, they can rest up and set themselves up for a second-half run. A win would act as a major launchpad for the team.

A loss, on the other hand, would be absolutely crushing and could ultimately doom the franchise to nothing more than agonizing mediocrity the rest of the way in 2022. It would be the team's third straight, and two of them would be against teams they "should" beat (on paper).

There is already an overall feeling of discontent brewing within the 49ers fan base. Rightfully, fans went into the 2022 campaign with expectations of a championship run. So far what we've seen is a team that is defined by its mistakes.

They have the talent to win, and until recently the 49ers featured the best defense in the NFL.

Last weekend's embarrassing 44-23 loss to the Chiefs was (we hope) the low point of the season. The once-vaunted defense, struggling with injuries, was utterly exposed in every way .

All season, the offense has been a sputtering mess that cannot get out of its own way half the time. Whether it's penalties, dropped passes or freshman year-level interceptions from Jimmy Garoppolo, the offense has under-performed.

The recent acquisition of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey raises expectations of an explosive offense.

Given how this season has unfolded, it seems unlikely that 49ers ownership will seek to terminate the contract of Kyle Shanahan or general manager John Lynch after this season, no matter the outcome. I personally believe that Shanahan's ultimate fate is bound to the fate of Trey Lance, who won't play until 2023 after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in Week 2.

With that out of the way, Sunday's game at SoFi Stadium has the feel of a season-defining contest. To come out of it with a much-needed win, the 49ers have a lot to fix on both sides of the ball.

Talent can only get you so far in the NFL. The defense absolutely must be able to stop the run, and get pressure on the passer. Receivers have to hang onto catchable passes. Penalties are drive-killers. Turnovers are game-killers.

The 49ers must execute better than they have the past two weeks. Their season may just depend on it.

If they don't, and San Francisco enters its bye week with a 3-5 record, the calls for Shanahan to be fired will only get louder.

Nightmare at Levi's Stadium: 'Elite' 49ers defense buried in blowout loss to Chiefs

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 21:06:39 GMT

The San Francisco 49ers boasted the best defense in the NFL. Then, the Kansas City Chiefs treated it like a cute little plaything during Sunday's blowout win at Levi's Stadium.

There is plenty of blame to go around when discussing the embarrassing loss suffered by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jimmy Garoppolo cost the team points with a ill-conceived prayer of a pass that was picked off in the end zone during the second quarter. Trent Williams did the same when he was beat like a drum by Frank Clark, who had a free shot at Garoppolo in the end zone for a safety in the fourth.

And don't even get me started about right tackle Mike McGlinchey. I have my blood pressure to think about, after all.

The 49ers special teams put together a woeful performance as well. In particular, another blown kickoff coverage started the second half. After the play was over, a Jauan Jennings penalty (late hit) tacked on another 15 yards to set up Patrick Mahomes and Co. with their first offensive possession of the half with a 33-yard field.

Then the avalanche began. From that moment until the game was well in hand late in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs went on to score touchdowns on four consecutive drives. A game that was 14-13 in favor of the Chiefs suddenly became a 44-23 blowout win that leaves the 49ers with more questions than answers nearly halfway through the 2022 campaign.

Another way to look at the broad picture of how Sunday's loss went down for the 49ers is this: After Garoppolo's touchdown to Ray-Ray McCloud midway through the first quarter (putting the Niners up 10-0), San Francisco was outscored 44-13.

If not for the missed field goal by Harrison Butker late in the second quarter, the Chiefs would have scored on seven-out-of-seven drives from the point after going down 10-0 until going up 44-23. As it was, they scored six touchdowns in a seven-drive span.

Quite simply, the previously-dubbed "elite" 49ers defense was exposed.

Nick Bosa managed one sack, and nobody else got a sniff. Patrick Mahomes was barely touched all game long. The continued absence of Arik Armstead was keenly felt in Week 7.

Kansas City could do whatever it wanted to offensively. The Chiefs offensive line owned the line of scrimmage, leading the way for 112 yards on 21 carries (5.3 yards a clip), and keeping Mahomes comfortable in the pocket.

This led to the most humiliating experience the 49ers' vaunted secondary has gone through to date in 2022.

Mahomes threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns on 34 attempts, averaging an absurd 12.4 yards per attempt. He completed passes of 57 and 45 yards to Marquez Valdez-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster, respectively.

Things started out great. The tip-drill interception by Talanoa Hufanga, who was once again assisted by Tashaun Gipson, inspired great hope for a while.

But after that?

The secondary was roasted. Burnt toast. Every other analogy you can think of that illustrates being completely useless.

Perhaps even worse was the way the Chiefs tore into the 49ers edge defense like it didn't even exist. Mecole Hardman scored three touchdowns, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire another, attacking the edge.

In every conceivable way, the San Francisco defense was dominated by Kansas City's offense.

This includes coaching. The game plan and play-calling from defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was the worst we've seen in quite some time. He was outfoxed and outmaneuvered at every turn by Eric Bieniemy and Andy Reid.

One of the starkest examples of this was the 3rd-and-20 conversion by Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon on a simple screen.

That type of breakdown just cannot happen. That's the type of crap you expect to see from a bottom-feeding, rebuilding squad.

All told, the defense that came into Week 7 as the league's best, allowing just 255.8 yards per game, gave up 529 yards at an average of 9.1 yards per play. Outside of the lone interception in the first quarter, the 49ers could NOT get off the field on third downs, either. Per Jeff Deeney of PFF , Mahomes went 6-of-7 passing for 183 yards with a touchdown and that interception on third downs in Week 7.

The worst part about the 49ers' defensive collapse is that, if all else failed this year, at least previously we could count on our defense to stay the course and keep us in striking distance.

Before the nightmare that was Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

It's certainly worth acknowledging that Mahomes and Travis Kelce and the Chiefs offense as a whole is top-rate. Losing to a team like the Chiefs isn't embarrassing.

But losing the way the 49ers lost on Sunday? Well...that's a problem.

It will be fascinating to see how Ryans and his defense bounces back next week when the 49ers travel south to take on the hated Los Angeles Rams.

If there are problems on the defensive side of the ball in that game, then it'll really be time to panic.

Super Bowl or bust: 49ers swing for fences with Christian McCaffrey trade

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 00:54:48 GMT

John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan pulled off a stunning trade for star Christian McCaffrey, making the San Francisco 49ers a true Super Bowl or bust squad.

Every team wants to win a Super Bowl every single year. That's the goal. Whether you agree or disagree with the San Francisco 49ers trading for superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, it's clear the franchise is going all-in to win it all in 2022.

The Christian McCaffrey trade is the equivalent of John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan shoving all their chips into the pot. The 49ers are sending second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fifth-round pick in 2024 (h/t ESPN's Adam Schefter, via David Newton) to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for McCaffrey.

It's a lot of draft capital to give up for a running back, no matter how good he is.

On principle, my philosophy is that NFL teams should never pay big for a running back. This is a position that is very tough on longevity, and it's a position that we've seen the 49ers find success filling with late-round and undrafted players.

But McCaffrey isn't just a running back. He is one of only three players in the history of the NFL to gain over 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in a single season. The other two? Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk.

He's essentially another chess piece that Kyle Shanahan can line up all over the field on any given play. He can beat you on the ground and is clearly one of the best pure running backs in the league. Yet McCaffrey is also as dangerous as most top receivers in the passing game.

Whether he's running out of the backfield or lined out wide, he's a playmaker and a matchup nightmare.

It's easy to argue that the 49ers now have the most impressive group of skill-position players on offense in the league.

McCaffrey joins an offense in which he'll be lined up with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Kyle Juszczyk. Opposing defenses will not know what's coming next, no matter where these players line up. And once Elijah Mitchell returns from his knee injury, that will only be magnified more.

The McCaffrey trade, of course, does not come without risks. After starting his career with three straight healthy seasons, McCaffrey missed 22 games due to injuries from 2020-21. He's also been a bit dinged up already this season, though the 26-year-old has played in all six games for the Panthers.

Hopefully, getting back to a natural grass surface for his home games at Levi's Stadium will help McCaffrey stay healthy long term during his tenure with San Francisco. Yet it's hard not to wonder if he'll hold up. Running backs tend to wear down over time, and McCaffrey has been a heavy-load back since his days at Stanford.

There's also the matter of McCaffrey's contract. Though the 49ers owe him just under $700,000 this season, things get a bit trickier afterwards.

Based on the amount of draft capital the 49ers gave to Carolina in this trade, it seems clear they intend on keeping McCaffrey around for the long haul. However, it is extremely unlikely that McCaffrey will be interested in moving beyond this season with the deal he's currently saddled up with. The lack of guaranteed money almost ensures a contract renegotiation is in the near future.

With that in mind, it's going to be interesting to see how the front office handles this situation after the season.

The more immediate reaction, though, is that the 49ers are going all-in to win a Super Bowl this season. Sure, McCaffrey will be a boon to the offense next year and beyond, and I'm drooling at the potential of him and Trey Lance in the same backfield.

But for right now, he's going to be playing with Jimmy Garoppolo and Co. And suddenly, the 49ers have everything they need to control the game on the offensive side of the ball. The squad has a legitimate superstar running back, the likes of which we have not seen since Frank Gore.

McCaffrey is a guy who consistently dominates inside the tackles, running outside, and in the passing game. He's on the same level as Saquon Barkley in terms of open-field playmaking, burst through the line of scrimmage, and simply doing it all.

“You make it difficult (on defenses) when you have guys that can do a lot of things,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday morning on KNBR . “And Christian is someone who can attack in every single way. He’s very similar to Deebo in that way. So that gives you another option. Gives defenses more things to worry about. And usually that makes everyone’s job easier.”

Shanahan, Garoppolo, and the 49ers offense has no more excuses. It's time to shine.

If the offense does live up to its potential, and if the 49ers can somehow get to the end of the season relatively healthy, then there is no reason to believe they aren't a Super Bowl favorite in the NFC.

Even before the Christian McCaffrey trade, I thought the 49ers would win 10 games and get into the postseason tourney. Now, I think they have a chance to make a run at a top-two seed in the conference and can go all the way.

With an offense as dangerous as their defense, the 49ers have an honest shot to win No. 6.

49ers offense gives fans reason for hope as key injuries mount

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 16:28:37 GMT

An impressive 37-15 victory over Carolina moved the San Francisco 49ers into sole possession of first place in the NFC West. But the win did not come without significant cost.

It was never going to be easy for the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. That much is crystal clear just a month into the campaign.

Another week, another superstar injured.

Emmanuel Moseley, the team's star cornerback, was hurt while breaking up a pass deep downfield, and the 49ers confirmed he suffered an ACL injury on Sunday. That means the end of his season, which is brutal for Moseley personally (contract year) and for the 49ers as a squad.

Nick Bosa was also taken out with what was later described as groin tightness, and all we can do at this point is hope it's not a long-term issue. Also, after finally making his way back into the lineup, star safety Jimmie Ward broke his hand on his first action back.

Oh, and kicker Robbie Gould suffered a knee injury, which the team hopes was just a bruise.

Just another NFL Sunday for the 2022 49ers. Literally every week so far, this squad has lost a key starter or three. But somehow, there's plenty of reason for optimism.

The offense put together its best overall performance this season, featuring a balanced attack and a version of Jimmy Garoppolo that should provide hope for the coaching staff, his teammates, and us fans.

There were a few early hiccups that had me concerned. The Panthers attacked San Francisco's weakened offensive line, and there were a couple miscues and missed assignments that led to Garoppolo getting sacked twice. He also fumbled once, though thankfully Jeff Wilson Jr. was there to pounce on the loose ball.

But overall, you'd have to try pretty hard to nit-pick about much concerning Garoppolo's performance, and the performance of the offense as a whole.

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo was dealing

Garoppolo ended up finishing Week 5 with a rock-solid stat line, completing 18-of-30 passes for 254 yards, two touchdowns, and most importantly, zero turnovers.

He was the model of efficiency, and the ultimate clutch quarterback in key situations.

Often, Garoppolo was dealing strikes while pressure closed in on him fast. His four-yard touchdown strike to Deebo Samuel was high-level quarterbacking. After the game, Samuel said that he wasn't necessarily the first read on that play, and upon re-watching it Garoppolo clearly wasn't looking there to begin with.

However, he did something that should encourage all of us who have had our concerns about his game. He didn't lock onto one guy. He maintained cool in the pocket, saw Samuel streaking across the field and delivered an absolute strike for six.

He just had "it" on Sunday. And if the "has it" Jimmy keeps showing up throughout the 2022 season, the 49ers have a legitimate shot at winning it all.

49ers run game was rolling

Just as encouraging, the run game finally got going in a way that embodies the Kyle Shanahan offense for the first time in weeks. The team finished with 29 rushing attempts, averaging 5.3 yards per tote.

Jeff Wilson Jr. continues to be a shining light in between the tackles, racking up big yardage (120 yards on just 17 carries!) while scoring a rushing touchdown for the second week in a row.

Even better, Shanahan had a second back this week he could trust, and the results spoke for themselves.

Tevin Coleman wasn't as effective as Wilson in the run game, but he did carry the ball eight times for 23 yards and a touchdown. Just the carries alone took pressure off the offense as a whole and allowed it to stay on the field more than it had the past two games. The 49ers won the time-of-posession battle for the first time since Week 2.

Where Coleman really shined was in the pass game. He reeled in three-of-three targets for 44 yards, including a touchdown on a screen, and a 30-yard reception over a defender on a clutch play in the first quarter on third-and-four.

If Coleman can stay on the field the rest of the season, he'll have a major role as the featured third-down running back on the team.

"He's just mister reliable," Garoppolo said after the win (h/t 49erswebzone.com). "He really is. He's just one of those guys where you know where he's going to be. You know he's going to do the right thing. Whenever you have a guy like that as a quarterback, you can put that ball up and trust him and it's fun. I didn't even see the play but I heard it was awesome."

Trent Williams may be coming back soon. Elijah Mitchell will be back in the second half of the season. Tyrion Davis-Price should be available again soon. The run game is trending up, and that's an overwhelmingly good thing for the 49ers in every way possible.

George Kittle working his way back

After a couple of weeks in which Kittle was barely a part of the passing game, it was pretty sweet to see "The People's Tight End" receive the first two targets of the game from Jimmy G.

The second catch went for 20 yards and really highlights how Kittle is a mismatch and can be a featured weapon in the offense.

All told, Kittle caught five-of-six targets for 47 yards.

His fumble in the first quarter was a brutal drive-killer and seemed to throw the entire offense into a bit of dysfunction for half a quarter or so. But overall Kittle was a net positive for the 49ers and once again had some dominant moments in the run game, which was a key factor in the team's offensive explosion.

There's room for improvement all around. The offense has the potential to be one of the most dominant units in the NFL. Sunday's performance against the Panthers showed a little bit of that promise. Here's hoping to seeing much, much more in the weeks to come.

3 keys to victory for 49ers vs Panthers in Week 5

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 19:14:38 GMT

The San Francisco 49ers are vastly superior to the Carolina Panthers, but nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Here's what they need to do in order to secure a road win on Sunday.

Following a convincing victory on national television against their hated rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers (2-2) are prepping for a two-week road trip that will test their mettle. Up next in Week 5 are the Carolina Panthers (1-3), who are struggling mightily.

On paper, this matchup favors the 49ers in every way. You already know that doesn't mean jack squat, though. Fans have witnessed two losses to teams the Niners should have crushed already this season.

Here's how the 49ers can avoid another disappointment and ensure victory on Sunday to stay atop the NFC West . A win in Week 5 will move San Francisco to 3-2 in this young season and keep the positive momentum going.

49ers must win TOP battle

Through two Jimmy Garoppolo starts, it's clear the 49ers' offense is very much still a work in progress. Injuries have had plenty to do with that, but one Kyle Shanahan staple has been missing as well.

I mentioned it in our quarter-point review of the 2022 season , and it's something that must be rectified if this team is going to live up to its potential. The offense needs to be on the field more than the defense. This is also known as winning the time-of-possession battle. It's how teams control the game, and it's something we've seen this squad do quite successfully in years past.

In the past two games, a couple of things have stood out to me that give me reason for concern. The 49ers gained just 13 first downs in both games, and that led to the opposing team winning the battle on the clock. In both games, Garoppolo attempted more passes than the 49ers ran the ball.

Nobody loves a sparkling passing game more than I do, I can assure you. In fact, before Trey Lance was injured, my opinion was that Shanahan needed to use the passing game to set up the run , utilizing Bill Walsh's philosophical approach.

He can still do that, but the run game must be emphasized more in the coming weeks. Because if drives keep stalling and the defense has to keep coming onto the field, it could eventually lead to some brutal outcomes, both in the standings and on the injury report for our vaunted defense.

Repeat performance from Nick Bosa and Co.

The Panthers currently have one of the worst offenses in the NFL. The 49ers currently feature the league's best defense, and it's coming off a legendary performance in Week 4. I'd love to see that trend continue on Sunday.

Baker Mayfield is struggling with a capital "S."

In fact, the entire Carolina offense is about as disjointed as it comes. The Panthers rank third-worst in passing, have allowed 11 sacks in four games, are ninth-worst in rushing offense, and have turned the ball over six times.

The 49ers should absolutely feast upon Mayfield and the Panthers. Featuring the best pass-rushing defensive line in football, led by sack leader Nick Bosa (six sacks and 30 pressures!!!), the best safety in the NFL, Talanoa Hufanga, and an overall defense that's unmatched in overall talent, San Francisco has a legitimate shot at shutting out Carolina this weekend.

Oh, and Bosa just might have a bit of extra motivation to take Mayfield behind the woodshed, too.

There's blood in the water, and the sharks are ready to hunt.

49ers must not shoot themselves in the foot

Turnovers, penalties, and busted coverages. That's why the 49ers have two losses right now.

Even if the offense struggles a bit, San Francisco's defense is more than capable of carrying the team this weekend. It's the self-inflicted wounds that could doom the 49ers to another embarrassing loss.

All they need to do is execute, and they will exit Week 5 with a win. It's as simple as that. No dumb penalties (something that's been cleaned up exceptionally well the past few weeks), and no bone-headed plays by Mr. Garoppolo.

Let's get it, fam!

Grading the San Francisco 49ers at quarter mark of 2022 NFL season

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 16:03:15 GMT

The San Francisco 49ers are in first place in the NFC West four games into the 2022 NFL season. It's time for some grades.

If you asked me a month ago how I'd feel about the San Francisco 49ers going 2-2 to start the 2022 NFL season, my response wouldn't be very positive. After all, the team's schedule was supposed to be a relative cakewalk early on, if there is such a thing at this level.

My, my how perceptions change. The injury bug has bitten into this squad with a vengeance, forcing Kyle Shanahan and his revamped coaching staff into some tough situations.

There is plenty to be excited about as the 49ers move into the second quarter of their long campaign, though. Sitting in first place in the NFC West, San Francisco is in great shape to keep stacking wins and establish itself as a dominant force in a conference that seems to be defined by mediocrity.

I'll be looking at what's next for the 49ers a bit later this week. Right now, it's time to take a critical look at the team. On to the grades!

Offense: C-

Losing Trey Lance, Elijah Mitchell, Trent Williams (and his backup, Colton McKivitz), Tyrion Davis-Price, George Kittle, and Tyler Kroft to injury has taken its toll on the San Francisco offense. It's impossible to overstate just how difficult it is to overcome attrition like that, especially so early in the season.

That being said, the 49ers offense must be held to the highest possible standard given the other players that have been available. And, of course, because offensive guru Kyle Shanahan is running the show.

The 49ers are averaging just 325 yards of offense per game , which is the ninth-worst total in the NFL. They are also scoring just under 18 points per game, which is tied for fifth-worst in the league.

Clearly, the injury to Lance has complicated matters. Even with Lance, the 49ers were going to be in a feeling-out process early on in 2022. Now that it's the Jimmy Garoppolo show once more, and given the fact he didn't have a training camp or preseason with the club, it will take time for the offense to rediscover its identity.

The thing that bothers me is that, philosophically, the 49ers appear to not be playing to their strengths right now. Since Garoppolo took over for Lance, the run game has taken a back seat to the passing game. In his two starts, Garoppolo has thrown 56 passes, and the 49ers have run the ball just 41 times.

You give Garoppolo that many chances, and there's a good chance he will throw the ball to the other team. He was brutal against the Denver Broncos. This is well documented . Garoppolo also had some scary throws against the Los Angeles Rams and continued his trend of missing wide-open guys.

Heck, his 57-yard touchdown to Deebo Samuel Monday night was nearly a pick-six the other way.

If the 49ers are going to climb the rankings on the offensive side of the ball, they absolutely must establish a consistent rushing attack . This is a team that is defined by its physicality. In years past, the offense won by dominating the time-of-possession battle and by stacking first downs. The past two games, the 49ers have a grand total of 26 first downs and lost that battle in both of them.

History has taught us that Garoppolo, if given enough opportunities, will turn the ball over. Run the damn ball, Kyle.

Defense: A+

The 49ers currently feature the best defense in the NFL. It's not a matter of opinion. It's just a fact.

San Francisco is first in total yards allowed, second in both passing and rushing yards allowed, first in points allowed, and has the best pass-rushing defense in the league.

Nick Bosa is currently on pace for 25.5 sacks and an absurd 128 pressures in 2022, currently leading the NFL with six sacks and 30 quarterback pressures.

Samson Ebukam is playing the best ball of his career right now, and everywhere you look on the defensive line guys are making plays.

Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are sideline-to-sideline demons who give guys fits in coverage, and they are both dynamic playmakers against the run.

Emmanuel Moseley, Charvarius Ward, and Deommodore Lenoir may be the best trio at cornerback in the league. That theory will be tested soon enough when the Kansas City Chiefs come to town on October 23. But right now, they are putting clamps on dudes, complementing the pass rush to perfection.

Oh, and there's this guy named Talanoa Hufanga. You may have heard of him.

Instincts, smarts and athleticism. All through the roof. He's a future All-Pro and may hit that esteemed mark in this, his second career season at the age of 22.

Star safety Jimmie Ward will soon be back after missing the first part of the season with a hamstring injury, but in his stead Tashaun Gipson has been outstanding.

Simply put, the 49ers have All-Pro players at all three levels.

Tying it all together is the best defensive coordinator in football, DeMeco Ryans. His play-calling instincts have become nightmarish for opposing offenses. With all these stars to execute his vision we're witnessing art and beauty on the football field.

Special Teams: B

The 49ers recently gave punter Mitch Wishnowsky a nice contract extension, and he's definitely earning his paychecks. Field position is a huge part of the NFL game, and Wishnowsky is doing an outstanding job of helping the 49ers win that battle.

Nine times (out of 18 total punts), Wishnowsky has pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line., and he executed the punt of the season in Denver during Week 3. He's also giving the team's coverage unit excellent opportunities to stop returners in their tracks, allowing just three yards per return attempt, which is second in the NFL.

The reason that San Francisco's special teams aren't getting an "A" grade is that kicker Robbie Gould hooked an easy 42-yard field goal against the Rams. Additionally, Ray-Ray McCloud has been underwhelming as a kick returner, and he nearly turned it over when he coughed up a fumble on Monday night.

With their defense and special teams playing at very high levels, the 49ers have a lot to build on going forward.

Kyle Shanahan needs 2022 49ers to embody 2000 Ravens

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 20:07:38 GMT

It's time for Kyle Shanahan to transform this 49ers offense into a bulldozer reminiscent of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.

Crushing losses must haunt Kyle Shanahan's dreams of late. And I'm not just talking about the team's 1-2 record. I'm talking about Trey Lance (lost for season), Elijah Mitchell (eight-week MCL), Tyrion Davis-Price (multiple-week high-ankle sprain), Trent Williams (four-to-six weeks with high-ankle sprain).

That is a heck of a lot to process. "Next man up" doesn't come close. This is a Los Angeles Chargers-level crisis.

And to top it off, Jimmy Garoppolo reminded everyone real quick why the 49ers wanted to move on in the first place. Granted, that implosion on Sunday night was truly legendary. But we all know he's good for at least a few interception-worthy throws each game. That's just going to happen.

The 49ers feature a championship-caliber defense, and now the special teams are more often than not holding up their end of the bargain, too. It's the 49ers' offense that isn't up to par right now.

The good news is that Shanahan still has the tools to turn it around. And it all starts with a return to the basics.

Let's get Deebo Samuel out wide or in the slot. I don't want to see him lining up in I-formation in an obvious running situation ever again. My heart would absolutely break if Deebo got taken out on a run up the middle.

Jimmy Garoppolo is limited. I think maybe he just doesn't trust what he sees sometimes. Then it's throw over the middle, and toss a coin in the air to see if it's a big gain for the 49ers or a back-breaking pick.

It's not all bad with Jimmy. He can execute tunnel screens to Deebo and Brandon Aiyuk, he can hit slants and posts on play-action, and when things are running smoothly on the offensive line he actually can cook a little bit.

But this offense really will only ever run smoothly when it is running the ball down the opposing team's throat. Garoppolo is essentially a mid-level guy who is good enough to not kill you if you can stay ahead. All the 49ers need him to be this season is Trent Dilfer.

The 2000 Baltimore Ravens ran the ball more often than they threw it during the regular season. Still, Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer threw 19 interceptions in 16 games. The way Garoppolo was slinging it around in Week 3 ( it was a wild ride, folks ), we're going to need to see vast improvement in judgement from our new QB1 if he can play to that standard.

Winning with a quarterback like this only works if you can dominate opposing defenses with a relentless rushing attack. Keep it going all game long. Let the running backs pound the rock. Let Deebo and Ayiuk and Kittle feast on play-action passes.

The best way I can say it is: Keep it simple, stupid.

Even without the best left tackle in the NFL. Even without Elijah Mitchell. Even without Trey Lance. The 49ers have the personnel to move bodies up front and control the flow of the game.

Rumor is , Daniel Brunskill is going to maybe practice this week. He's kind of good against the Rams, or so I've heard.

The K.I.S.S. theory works especially well when you have young offensive linemen. Which, the 49ers do at the guard spots. Both Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford have shown promise through three weeks. Banks is playing at a very high level. Burford was rough last week but he's been very good overall.

Now they have to rely on Colton McKivitz instead of Williams at left tackle. He's solid but obviously not the Silverback. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey kind of stinks in pass protection. But he's elite in the run game.

The big issue up front is that Jake Brendel just hasn't been the glue a young offensive line needs at the center position. Brendel is struggling both in the physical sense, and on the mental side of the game as well.

Perhaps this is why we keep hearing Shanahan mention Brunskill as someone who can help inside. He's been out since the first week of preseason ball with a hamstring injury. If he practices all week, maybe we'll see a chance on Monday night.

Personally I wouldn't be opposed. The interior needs stability. It needs an anchor. I'm not sure Brendel is that guy.

Regardless of who is on the line, the goal of the 49ers offense needs to be simple and clear: Physical domination up front and a rushing attack that will never be abandoned.

To do this, Shanahan needs to find his Jamal Lewis. So who is it going to be?

Jeff Wilson Jr. has been very good. He's a chain-mover. However he really lacks the home-run burst this offense needs to make teams respect the edges. So far he's gained 181 yards on 39 carries with no touchdowns, adding 58 yards on seven receptions.

David Lombardi of The Athletic mentioned Shanahan saying newly aquired Tevin Coleman would have been the second back if the game weren't played at altitude (sickle cell). He's been a Shanahan guy forever. When healthy he's certainly capable of breaking big plays.

The player I think everyone is clamoring to see more of is undrafted rookie Jordan Mason. I understand that Shanahan is a coach who really makes his players earn his trust. I respect that. It seems to have worked wonders for the budding career of Brandon Aiyuk.

But right now, to my eyes Mason looks like the kid who has the wheels that can take the 49ers offense where it needs to go. At the very least, let's give him more than one carry in three games.

Even if Shanahan remains reluctant to start Mason, I don't even care. Maybe Marlon Mack takes over and becomes Shanahan's next Alfred Morris.

I just want to see the 49ers get back to a smashmouth offense. As much as my heart hoped Garappolo could maybe be just a little better than he's been in the past, my mind knows it's going the other way.

The way Shanahan abandoned the run game in Denver made my blood boil. Sure, Samuel couldn't gain any traction. But the actual running backs were doing great. They just didn't get the chance to carry the offense to victory.

That's got to change going forward.

It's time for bully ball.

It's time for San Francisco's offensive mentality to match what Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Talanoa Hufanga are putting out every single play on defense.

It's time for the 2022 49ers to commit to the bit. Let the defense, special teams and running game take us however far it can.

49ers legend Brent Jones rips into Jimmy Garoppolo following disastrous performance

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 01:05:52 GMT

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had a brutal game Sunday night, but that's not the only thing that made legendary tight end Brent Jones spitting mad.

Three-time Super Bowl winner and San Francisco 49ers legend Brent Jones absolutely unloaded on Jimmy Garoppolo Monday following the quarterback's brutal performance in primetime on Sunday Night Football .

Speaking on KNBR with Tolbert & Copes (h/t Isaiah J. Downing of KNBR.com), Jones unleashed a passionate tirade against Garoppolo:

"I am laying the blame, I don’t do this very often, in fact I don’t do it hardly at all. Jimmy Garoppolo was horrible. What the heck? When you’re a professional football player and quarterback, you know where the back of the end zone is. That was so outrageous. You know how many times I’ve seen that from a veteran quarterback. 0.0 from a veteran quarterback, it’s just the worst.

"While I was yelling ‘ what are you thinking?’ He’s throwing a pick-six so I’m rooting for safety. You know since we got Jimmy, I’ve been pretty supportive of Jimmy, and I’ve tried to say so along the way. And he’s not perfect, he does one or two goofy things every game and we talked about this, even when Trey was the starter. I said ‘just remember, the world isn’t totally rosy with Jimmy in there.’

"That fumble he was pulling away from the center too early, the pick into double maybe triple coverage was just nasty, but I gotta say, and I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, after you played horrible and you’re the reason your team lost the game, you do not smile and go glad handing the other team after the game. I’ve never seen that from any quarterback ever, that has ever been any good.

"Steve Young? No way. Joe Montana? Hell no. Brett Favre? No chance in heck. You think Russell Wilson is laughing after he throws a pick, steps out of the end zone for a safety and fumbles a ball and plays horrible and his team’s 1-2 and the reason they lost the game. It almost looked like he didn’t even care. It was so frustrating, and maybe I was just mad because the game was so ugly. If that’s me, I’m running for the locker room. I am not smiling, I am not talking to anybody for a week if you play like that.

I just don’t get his disposition, but that was really frustrating. Icing on the cake.

…

"I want to see Jimmy grabbing a couple receivers and talking to them, I want to see him patting his linemen on the shoulder and saying ‘I need some time’…I want him talking to a coach. I always just see him sitting there posing and nobody is taking GQ pics on the sideline. I want to see some emotion, I want to see some quarterbacking, but they always just show him sitting there looking stoic, posing. I wanna see some messed up hair, how about that?

"I want my quarterback all in. I’m not saying he’s not, but it sure comes across like ‘ya, know, oh well, too bad, I had to take a pay cut this year. It’s not on me, I’m just here having fun. High five. Yeah we got smoked.’

Do you know we’ve played three crappy teams? These teams are pretty crappy. They’ll all finish under .500 and we’re 1-2, and we’re out laughing after the game. C’mon. How come I’m more mad than Jimmy?”

The way Garoppolo handled his post-game press conference really got under my skin , too.

What about you? Let us know in the comments section if you think Brent Jones hit the nail on the head, or if we're just a couple of curmudgeons who are stuck in the past.

49ers implode in Denver: Good, bad and ugly from brutal loss

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 18:08:45 GMT

Yet another winnable game ended in a gut-wrenching loss as the San Francisco 49ers fell to the Denver Broncos in Week 3.

(Photo: Terrell Lloyd / 49ers)

It's only been three weeks.

Three weeks since the San Francisco 49ers opened the 2022 NFL season as a Super Bowl favorite with an untested, albeit phenomenally talented young quarterback at the helm.

These past three weeks have felt like a lifetime for us 49ers fans who were full of hope and dreams.

Following the team's kick-in-the-stomach loss to the Broncos on Sunday night, the season is beginning to feel more like a nightmare.

The one thing we must keep at the forefront of our minds, though, is that the NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. Heck, as chaotic and frustrating as the first three weeks of the season have been, a win next Monday night at home against the Los Angeles Rams will propel the 49ers into first place in the NFC West.

Before we delve into how the 49ers can do that, let's take one more look backward at the disgusting 11-10 loss they endured at the hands of the forever-hated Russell Wilson and his Broncos. Here's the good, the bad, and the ugly from San Francisco's disasterclasss performance in Denver.

The Good: 49ers defense, special teams are championship-caliber

Everyone wants to pin everything on the quarterback. The truth of the matter is that football truly is a team sport that features three phases of the game -- all equally important: offense, defense, and special teams.

The good news for the 49ers and their fans is that two of the three are looking amazing.

Punter Mitch Wishnowsky recently got a contract extension, and he's already earning his money in a big way. He booted a 74-yarder Sunday night, pinned the Broncos inside their own 20 three times, and executed one of the best punts in NFL history.

So far this season, the 49ers are are second in the NFL allowing just three yards per punt return (h/t Jordan Elliott of Niners Nation ).

Field position is such a key factor in every game. It's especially important to the 49ers now, given who is under center. Scoring opportunities will be at a premium. If the special-teams unit continually sets up San Francisco's defense with opportunities deep in enemy territory, they will will come more often.

Speaking of defense, holy forking shirtballs, the 49ers are insanely good.

Following last weekend's huge win at home against Seattle, I highlighted this unit and hearkened back to 2019 . After watching the 49ers for three weeks straight, I think I was wrong.

The 2022 San Francisco 49ers feature a defense that is so much better than that. This is a potentially legendary squad, folks. Think 1985 Chicago Bears. Think 2000 Baltimore Ravens.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have CORNERBACKS now. Emmanuel Moseley and Charvarius Ward are both lockdown guys. They've been glue, and opposing receivers rarely have any breathing room at all. Rookie Samuel Womack III has been nails. Deommodore Lenoir is playing so well right now he actually booted Womack to CB4 this past week.

We have Talanoa Hufanga, affectionately dubbed HuBANGA by the Soughdough Squad. Once Jimmie Ward returns, it's not overzealous to say the 49ers could have the best safety duo in the NFL.

San Francisco's linebackers are among the league's best. This is known. The temporary loss of Azeez Al-Shaair (MCL) will challenge the team's depth at the position. However, Oren Burks and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles are both competent backups.

The defensive line is so stacked (come back soon, Arik Armstead). Kevin Givens and Kerry Hyder Jr. are both impact players who are showing up big. Javon Kinlaw looks like the dude the 49ers thought they drafted in the first place. Drake Jackson is a physical freak, and he's starting to put it all together, logging his first ever NFL sack Sunday.

Nick Bosa is...well, he's Nick Bosa.

Through Week 3, the 49ers rank first in pass defense, second in total defense and have allowed just 12.3 points per game.

I blame Kyle Shanahan's decision to not accept the holding penalty in the second quarter on three of the points they allowed Sunday night. I also blame his second-half gameplan on the touchdown they finally conceded late in the fourth quarter. Which leads me directly to what was bad for the 49ers Sunday night against the Broncos.

The Bad: Kyle Shanahan blew it

Momentum is such a fickle mistress. Especially on the road in the NFL. The 49ers had it. They had the Broncos in a headlock and had a chance to step on their throats. With a 7-0 lead near the end of the first quarter, San Francisco's defense had held the Broncos to a grand total of 16 yards and three consecutive three-and-outs.

Then Russell Wilson made one of his few good throws of the night, connecting with Courtland Sutton on a deep crossing route over the middle. The result was a 34-yard gain, and the Broncos went to the sidelines after one quarter with their first taste of positive momentum.

As we've seen so many times, though, the 49ers quickly reasserted their dominance with a defensive stand that almost certainly would have resulted in another punt for Denver. The 49ers stuffed Russell Wilson a handful of plays later on a third-and-long, and they got Cameron Fleming on a holding call, to boot.

Had Shanahan taken the penalty, the Broncos would have been backed up well outside of field-goal range. At that point in the game, the 49ers had the Broncos' number on defense, and they had a chance to force a turnover or create better field position with a sack in an obvious passing situation.

Instead, Shanahan declined the penalty. I'm still furious about that decision. It set up Brandon McManus with a 55-yard attempt, which he drilled through the uprights like it was a 40-yarder.

I'm not a coach. I'm not a player. I'm just a guy with a keyboard who has been a 49ers fan since age 3. So, maybe I don't have enough insight to make a definitive judgement on a situation like this.

That being said, what the hell message does that send to your team? What message does that send to the defense that's been bailing you out for three games straight?

It seemed like pure folly. Perhaps he knew it, because Shanahan made another awful decision just a few minutes later, at the end of San Francisco's following offensive possession.

This was the possession that, I believe, broke the 49ers on Sunday night. It's the one that drove fans absolutely crazy, because it should have ended on one play. Jimmy Garoppolo had Deebo Samuel WIDE open streaking down the left sideline. All he had to do was put the ball in front of Deebo, and it would have resulted in an 85-yard touchdown.

That was one of three game-changing missed opportunities that Garoppolo was responsible for (more on Jimmy in a bit).

It was a frustrating moment for us fans, and I have to imagine it was frustrating for everyone in the organization, too. But that's not on Shanahan. It's what happened next that really turned the tide, to my eyes.

A holding penalty on first down put the 49ers in a hole. But they were able to claw their way into Denver territory when Garoppolo hit Samuel for five yards to set up fourth-and-4 at the Broncos' 47-yard line. Remember, this was the play that sent Samuel into the blue medical tent for a brief moment.

With momentum hanging in the balance, Shanahan made what I consider to be a cowardly decision and opted to punt. It's the kind of decision that tells everyone you don't trust your offense to execute in critical situations. We've seen that other teams with coaches who empower their offense to go for it tend to have great success.

I think Shanahan needs to grow a pair. Playing conservatively will only get you so far. Sometimes you have to throw the dice.

In this case, the result of the play was the punt of the century, but it also led to San Francisco's defense being on the field for 11 plays and nearly seven minutes of game time. At altitude.

Momentum was gone. A game that should have been over by halftime was, instead, allowed to devolve into another Russell Wilson special against a 49ers defense that could barely breathe.

Shanahan never could get into his bag after that. He engineered one amazing drive in the first quarter, and it looked like the 49ers were going to cruise. Then, a couple of bad decisions gave the Broncos hope. Ultimately the led to the 49ers' demise.

One final note about Shanahan: His second-half gameplan was a disgusting mess. It's like he forgot who he was. The silver lining is, he admitted as much following the game.

I would expect Shanahan to make some changes and re-establish the run against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. And I appreciate his willingness to take the blame for the team's putrid performance.

The Ugly: Take some responsibility, Jimmy G!

All it took was one start by Jimmy Garoppolo for crickets to appear all over social media as it relates to the Trey Lance conversation.

But that's a whole other conversation that I'm not going to delve into right now.

Garoppolo was bad, bad, bad. It started early with a tipped pass that we're absolutely lucky WAS tipped, because if D.J. Jones hadn't gotten a paw on this ball it was probably going for six the other way.

It only got worse from there. My brain nearly exploded after the rep where Jimmy was literally looking toward Deebo, who was streaking wide open down the right side, and then threw to a covered Brandon Aiyuk instead.

Then there was the unconscionable safety Garoppolo took, which was actually a huge blessing because it negated a pick-six. And then there was the obligatory interception thrown into triple-coverage. And then there was....you get the picture. It was one of the worst games we've seen in a long time from a 49ers quarterback.

That isn't what grinds my gears, though. It's what Garoppolo said, and did not say, after the game during his press conference. Not once did he take personal responsibility for his poor performance. Not a single time. He blamed the lack of reps with the offense. He blamed the strange offseason, of which he is at least halfway responsible for. He blamed "a tough situation" on the passing play in which he took two steps out of the end zone for a safety. He blamed a lack of rhythm.

Juxtaposed with what we heard from Trey Lance after his first and only loss this season, Garoppolo gave off a bad vibe.

Buckle up, folks. It sure looks like we're in for an up-and-down, week-to-week season.

I personally expect the 49ers to win nine or 10 games and likely earn a wild-card spot in the playoffs. But it's going to be quite the roller-coaster unless the new leader of the offense sharpens up and owns up to his part when he screws up.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan provides update on George Kittle ahead of SNF

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 14:30:37 GMT

San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle has missed the first two games of the 2022 season. Will he be back in Week 3?

It's no secret that the San Francisco 49ers are a much better offensive team when George Kittle is on the field. The star tight end missed the team's first two games of the season with a groin injury, and his absence was keenly felt.

On Friday morning, head coach Kyle Shanahan gave an update for what he expects this Sunday night when the team faces the Denver Broncos in primetime.

Hint: It's all gravy, baby.

Speaking on KNBR, Shanahan said he would be surprised if Kittle does not play in Week 3 (h/t 49ers Webzone).

Not only is this fantastic news for the 49ers in general, it's especially phenomenal for the offense this weekend. Denver struggles to defend tight ends, having allowed 14 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns in the first two weeks of the season.

Assuming Kittle is 100 percent, he should feast on Sunday night.

49ers vs Broncos: Keys to victory for the Niners on Sunday Night Football

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 16:52:27 GMT

The San Francisco 49ers face their first true test of the season in Week 3 with a road game against the Denver Broncos in primetime on Sunday Night Football .

The San Francisco 49ers get their first taste of primetime action Sunday night when they take on the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football . Both teams enter Week 3 with one win and one loss, and both have something to prove in this highly anticipated, nationally televised game.

Despite Denver's questionable start to the season (awful loss to Seattle and an ugly win against Houston), the Broncos feature dangerous playmakers on both sides of the ball and will have the rowdy backing of Broncos Nation to spur them on. The thin air the 49ers will be subjected to at Empower Field at Mile High will certainly have an impact as well.

What I'm saying is that it's going to be a tough game. regardless of what the Broncos have looked like so far. That old saying "any given Sunday" applies in a major way, too.

Looking ahead to this big matchup, I've identified three keys to victory for the 49ers on Sunday Night Football in Week 3.

49ers must shut down the Broncos' run game

The most impactful thing San Francisco's defense can possibly do Sunday night is to force the Broncos into becoming one-dimensional on offense. The 49ers can do this by shutting down Denver's run game early and often.

The Broncos feature two excellent backs in Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. These two talented runners have split carries evenly through two games, toting the rock 22 times each while averaging just over five yards per carry (223 yards total). Denver will attempt to control the pace and momentum of the game by running the ball early.

Williams is also a monster after the catch and has become Russell Wilson's favorite security blanket. His abilities as a receiver are an extension of the run game. Keeping him from running wild in the open field is a huge task.

The last thing the Broncos want is Nick Bosa and the rest of San Francisco's front seven pinning their ears back and attacking Russell Wilson. If the 49ers can consistently stifle the Broncos' run game, that's exactly what will happen.

Third-and-longs are what we're hoping to see all night long.

This means Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw and Kevin Givens need to continue balling out inside so that the team's linebackers can fly to the ball like we've seen during the first two weeks.

Should they accomplish this goal, the 49ers will have an excellent chance to give Wilson fits and create game-changing turnovers like we've seen them do the first two weeks of the season.

49ers offensive line must dominate the LOS

Much like the 49ers, the Broncos have thus far been able to not only run the ball well in 2022 but have also shut down opposing teams' rushing attacks. Denver has allowed just 78 rushing yards per contest, which is good for fifth-best in the league.

Former Niner D.J. Jones has been phemonenal for the Broncos and leads a defensive line that can both stuff the run and get after quarterbacks. Dre'Mont Jones and Bradley Chubb both enter Week 3 with two sacks apiece.

On the other side, the 49ers were outstanding up front in Week 2. Both Aaron Banks and rookie Spencer Burford sparkled in their second-career starts, while Trent Williams rebounded from a rough Week 1 outing to look like his dominant self once more.

Kyle Shanahan loves to control the game with a relentless rushing attack. The 49ers won the time-of-possession battle against Seattle by nearly doubling up the Seahawks. They would love to follow that same formula in Week 3, but if the Broncos are able to get penetration up front and force San Francisco's running backs out of their lanes that will be hard to achieve.

Time to unleash Jimmy Garoppolo

Following Week 2's dominant victory over the Seahawks, Jimmy Garoppolo gave us an incredibly insightful quote to chew on. During his time at the podium, he talked about how he was able to let it rip on Sunday.

The most interesting part of this quote from Garoppolo is him saying, "It's different than what we usually do around here..." which seems to be a not-so-subtle message to his head coach.

Essentially, Garoppolo appears to be implying that he's been held back a bit by Shanahan in the passing game. That perhaps the coach has not wanted to let his quarterback take as many shots downfield as he would like. That, just maybe, Garoppolo is sick and tired of simply managing games.

Based on what we saw from Garoppolo in Week 2 against the Seahawks, I'd love to see Shanahan unleash Jimmy a bit more than what we've seen the past few years.

Now, I'm not advocating for the 49ers to abandon their tried-and-true formula of dominating time of possession by running the ball down teams' throats. What I would love to see, however, is a passing game that does not limit itself to dink-and-dunk plays that rely exclusively on yards after the catch.

It's time to let Jimmy cook a little bit.

The Golden Lining: Jimmy Garoppolo brings stability, simplicity to 49ers offense

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 16:43:56 GMT

What to expect for the San Francisco 49ers as Jimmy Garoppolo once again takes control of the offense.

For better or worse, the Trey Lance experiment is over in 2022. Just like old times it's the Jimmy Garoppolo show for the San Francisco 49ers the rest of the way.

In a single moment, Lance's ankle injury flipped the script for the 49ers.

Instead of riding with the uber-talented, albeit completely unproven youngster, whose arm strength and legs gave the offense dimensions it never had before, Kyle Shanahan and Co. are back to square one with a quarterback they know all too well.

As the initial shock of the sudden reversal of fortunes wear off, my thoughts turn toward what fans should expect going forward. And honestly, there's a lot to be excited about in the short term.

The 49ers, quite simply, can now settle back into a rhythm they know all too well. A rhythm that's served them well for the past few years with a quarterback in Garoppolo who has his limits, but who also possesses strengths that have set the 49ers up for success since his arrival.

Shanahan and Co. basically went from the great unknown (Lance) to the model of efficiency and stability. WIthout a doubt, things just got a heck of a lot simpler. This was immediately evident in Week 2 when Garoppolo entered the game and started dealing like he never left.

After subbing in for Lance in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, Garoppolo went 13-of-21 passing for 154 yards with one touchdown, no interceptions, and he added a touchdown on the ground.

The model of efficiency, Jimmy did what he's always done well: He got rid of the ball quickly and let his playmakers do their work after the catch. He also let it rip a couple of times and nearly had Brandon Aiyuk down the left sideline for a big play in the second half -- a ball Aiyuk wishes he could have back.

Now, there's obviously some significant reasons why the 49ers decided to move on from Garoppolo a couple years ago. He has struggled to stay healthy throughout his tenure in San Francisco. He has also had some brutal games that were highlighted by inexcusable self-inflicted wounds (aka turnovers) that doomed the team to a loss.

That being said, there's no doubt that Garoppolo gives the 49ers an excellent chance to win a lot during the regular season, which will set them up once more for a Super Bowl run.

Much has been made of Garoppolo's weaknesses. He doesn't have the arm strength to throw darts deep downfield and take the top off the defense. Most of his deep throws tend to be off-target. He aslo has a penchant for throwing dangerous passes into the middle of the field, which can easily get tipped and picked off.

But for every fault JImmy has, he makes up for it in efficient play. There are few quarterbacks who get the ball out quicker than Garoppolo, who makes lightning-fast decisions and has one of the quickest releases in the game.

Jimmy G also possesses intangibles that cannot be measured on the stat sheet. His teammates love him. They love his calm presence in the huddle, and that fact that he's one of the most positive dudes you'll ever be around. This was immediately evident on Sunday in Week 2 when he scored a touchdown on a quarterback sneak.

In no way am I implying that the 49ers are better off with Jimmy Garoppolo compared to Trey Lance. All I'm saying is that this offense is going to be just fine with the savvy veteran under center.

Kyle Shanahan and Co. went from having to learn a new quarterback and devising a new way of attacking defenses to a familiar groove. Quite honestly, things just got a heck of a lot simpler for the coaches, and the offense as a whole. The learning curve is gone. In its place is a comfort level and an offensive attack everyone knows like the back of their hands.

This doesn't necessarily mean things will be any easier for the 49ers in 2022. But it sure takes a lot of the guessing out of the equation. They went from the great unknown to the familiar. That could translate to some big success for the offense in the short term.

And that's the golden lining to a brutal injury that changed the course of the season for these 49ers.

49ers crush Seahawks, lose Trey Lance: Good, bad, and ugly from dominant Week 2 win

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 16:15:46 GMT

The San Francisco 49ers improved to 1-1 with a 27-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 but lost Trey Lance for the season.

Sunday's victory for the San Francisco 49ers over the Seattle Seahawks was nothing if not bittersweet. A dominant performance in every sense, the 27-7 win was overshadowed by the season-ending ankle injury of young quarterback Trey Lance.

In a single moment, the team's trajectory changed course. Many fans are wondering if the 49ers won the battle but lost the war. This was supposed to be THE season when the offense exploded. With Lance out of commission, it's Jimmy Garoppolo time once again for the 49ers.

Here's a look at the good, bad, and ugly from Sunday's big win.

The Good: 49ers defense has that 2019 look once again

Ahead of Monday night's two games, no team in the NFL has allowed fewer yards than the 49ers. The past two weeks, Nick Bosa, Talanoa Hufanga and Co. have been a destructive force unmatched by any squad in the league.

During San Francisco's dominant Week 2 victory, the Seahawks' offense may as well have been in a padded room wearing a strait-jacket.

The Seahawks managed to eke out 2.6 yards per carry, gaining 36 total yards on the ground. Geno Smith had a bad time out there, too. He was hit nine times, sacked twice (both times by Nick Bosa), and picked off once. The 49ers forced three turnovers in the game, picking off two passes and recovering one fumble.

San Francisco features All-Pro-caliber players at all three levels of its defense. The defensive line is perhaps the most talented and deepest unit in all of football. Fred Warner leads a linebacking corps that arguably is the best in the league. When Jimmie Ward comes back, the 49ers will have five legit studs in the secondary.

Here's how utterly dominant this defense has been through two weeks: Take away the 71 yards on the two busted-coverage passing touchdowns in Chicago, and the 49ers are allowing an insane 3.81 yards per play (385 yards on 101 plays).

Granted, this has all come at the expense of the Chicago Bears and Seahawks -- teams nobody expects to dominate offensively in 2022. That being said, there is no doubt that this defense has a championship feel once again.

The Bad: Major setback for the development of Trey Lance

This one is rough. Trey Lance, for all his talent, smarts, natural leadership, and maturity, is still one of the biggest mysteries in the entire league. The 49ers were banking on him to develop throughout this season so that, by the time the playoffs arrived, he'd have just enough seasoning and experience under his belt to handle that gauntlet.

Instead, the 22-year-old quarterback is once again back on the shelf after suffering a season-ending ankle injury on a running play that looked doomed from the start.

WARNING: Video not for the feint of heart

The worst part about the injury to Lance is that he needs as many reps as possible to develop into an NFL-caliber quarterback. By the time he starts again next season, he'll have started just six games since 2019. That's a heck of a lot of nothing for the better part of four years.

At this point, nobody really knows whether Lance can live up to his potential. We've all seen the sparkling examples of it, but in the NFL consistency is king. It's just awful for him, and the 49ers, that we'll all have to wait another year to see if he can do it.

The Ugly: Trey Lance injury brings out the worst in fans and media

Predictably, anger and sadness has permeated the team's fan base in the wake of Lance's season-ending injury. If you've spent any amount of time on Twitter since the moment he was hurt, you know people are jumping to all sorts of conclusions.

People are legitimately calling for Kyle Shanahan to be fired .

Yeah, it's bad

Some in the media are all too happy to fan the flames of rage by taking vicious potshots at Kyle Shanahan and Garoppolo, who has struggled in the past when it mattered most in the postseason. Others are practically giddy that Lance won't be under center.

This is not the kind of behavior that helps anyone.

It's understandable that fans are going to be upset. Hell, I'M upset. Totally gutted for Lance. And I'm utterly disappointed that I have to wait at least one more year to see what he's capable of accomplishing at this level.

But this is football we're talking about here, folks. Lance could have suffered a season-ending injury on a sack. He could have torn his ACL on a non-contact play. A thousand things could have happened to ultimately lead to this same result.

Does Shanahan deserve criticism for the way he utilized Lance? That's a fair question.

Readers of this site know I wanted to see Lance open up the game by controlling the ball through the air . So, I was disappointed that he only threw the ball three times in the two drives before his injury.

However, I personally think it's counterproductive to go blame-hunting. And while it's awesome that the 49ers have a fan base that is so passionate about their team, it was not pretty to see all the fighting online. Especially when we're really talking about a young kid whose career was just set back in a major way.

Let's get back to what really matters. These are people. They are all doing everything in their power to win games. It's a brutal sport, and players suffer season-ending injuries every single week in this league.

Block out the media folks who want to make a buck off your anger. What I want to see is this: Let's all look ahead to Week 3, get behind Jimmy G, and root for our team without throwing stones.

How Trey Lance and Kyle Shanahan can silence the critics

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 14:32:03 GMT

Here's the blueprint for how Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers can shut everyone up about Trey Lance for at least one week.

Raise your hand if you're already sick and tired of the Trey Lance slander.

All it took was one mediocre game played by the San Francisco 49ers quarterback in a monsoon that resulted in a loss to the Chicago Bears. Even before the game was concluded, hot takes flooded social media , and it hasn't let up since.

Some are even already calling for Kyle Shanahan to bench the young gunslinger in favor of Jimmy Garoppolo. Yeah, it's gotten completely out of control.

After. One. Freaking. Game. Played. In. A. Monsoon.

Is any of this fair? Not remotely. But it's the year 2022, and many people apparently expect greatness right out of the gate.

Lance and Shanahan need a big win Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Another loss, especially one that includes a poor performance from the young quarterback, would be very difficult to endure. Here's how the 49ers can silence their critics -- for at least one week.

Take 49ers legend Bill Walsh's advice

During the team's Week 1 loss to Chicago, Lance ran the ball 13 times -- leading the team. He ended up throwing 28 passes, completing 13 for 164 with no touchdowns and an interception. The rain largely kept the 49ers offense from attacking very often through the air.

However, one 49ers legend thinks Shanahan was trying to protect his young quarterback a bit too much. Steve Young, speaking with KNBR's Tolbert & Copes on Wednesday afternoon, was hoping to see more :

“Kyle was not expansive with the game plan for Trey. It wasn’t like here’s your coming out party. Not it was very, very careful, very reserved. Got to the 10-0 lead. At halftime Kyle probably thought to himself ‘perfection.’ Everything’s fine, let’s go close this down and then they got jammed up.

“It makes you wonder. I don’t know how you felt about Trey’s appearances last year. Not only were they few and far between, which to me if you were really grooming him you could’ve found spots for him to make more appearances. And then when he did appear, it felt like there were 15 quarterback runs. Like you never got the sense that they wanted to test the quarterback part of it.

“Let’s let the processing, the things that we have high confidence on, let’s get going. I think it was very kept. There’s no question that Kyle wants to be very, very careful here and he got caught at it. And I think he would probably admit it. ‘I wanted to be careful, get a lead, get our defense to squash ’em, and get out of town.’ And they got jammed up.”

The NFL is always evolving, and it's hard to win without adjusting on the fly. Some core concepts, however, remain true throughout the test of time.

One such concept, penned by the late, great Hall of Famer Bill Walsh, is firmly entrenched on that list: "My philosophy," Walsh wrote back in 1979, "has been to control the ball with the forward pass ."

I grew up watching Walsh's offense shred opposing defenses on a weekly basis. His teams always found a way to run the ball effectively, but everything was predicated off of his passing attack.

Shanahan is known as a coach who has outstanding passing concepts that, before the play, look exactly like his running plays. He's also known for being one of the most innovative running-game schemers in the modern NFL. Every single year, his team is among the league's best in terms of running the ball.

But it's time to let it fly. It's time to give Lance the keys to the Ferarri, for real.

Brandon Ayiuk, step to the front of the line

We need to see Brandon Aiyuk take on the alpha role this Sunday. He's absolutely shredding dudes on the perimeter, and since midway through last season he's been unbelievable after the catch.

An absolute beast. A guy Lance seems to really have great chemistry with. A game-changer.

I'm a huge Deebo Samuel fan. And I hope to see him get more involved in the downfield passing game on Sunday. But if Lance is going to take his first real step toward superstardom, he and Ayiuk need to start taking games over.

They'll have a great chance on Sunday against the Seahawks. Seattle features a banged-up secondary and young, inexperienced cornerbacks. I'm expecting a big day from No. 11.

Feed Jordan Mason

The loss of starting running back Elijah Mitchell for the next eight weeks shines a spotlight on the 49ers' depth at this position. Thankfully, Shanahan makes it his life's work to find as many talented backs as possible and may have the answer in Jordan Mason, the undrafted rookie free agent out of Georgia Tech.

During the preseason, Mason looked like a top talent. He showed quickness, vision, decisiveness and has the talent Shanahan prizes above all others: He is a one-cut-and-go running back who hits top gear in a heartbeat.

I understand that Jeff Wilson Jr. is a tenured veteran who is trusted. He's going to play, and likely play a decent amount.

That being said, I want to see a healthy dose of Mason on Sunday in the second half of the game. If the 49ers do follow my blueprint and highlight the passing game early, there should be plenty of opportunities to put the game away in the second half by pounding the rock down Seattle's throat.

And in that role, I see Mason as the team's best option.

Trey Lance will thrive if these 49ers bounce back in Week 2 vs. Seahawks

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 22:09:23 GMT

Trey Lance will dominate against the Seahawks as long as the 49ers get production from key veterans who struggled in Week 1.

The long-awaited arrival of the Trey Lance era went over like a wet fart in Week 1 when the Chicago Bears stunned the San Francisco 49ers with a 19-10 victory. In the days since the shocking loss, many in the media have been falling over themselves to assign blame to the second-year quarterback as he takes over as a first-year starter.

Plenty of folks are taking advantage of this hot topic to spread hot takes far and wide across as many platforms as possible.

Was Lance perfect? Was he the second coming of Josh Allen Sunday against the Bears? Hell no.

He struggled at times, as you'd expect from a guy who's essentially a rookie. Especially a guy who was forced to try and win the game throwing the ball during a raging monsoon during the fourth quarter.

However, Lance also showed everyone why he's THE guy for the 49ers going forward. His live arm and mobility gave the 49ers a chance to win. And a few of the throws he made Sunday are on a level that's reserved for the league's elite.

As Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle so aptly put it , "On this day, against a team they should have rightfully throttled, the 49ers put their young quarterback in a tough spot -- and he wasn't good enough to lift them out of it."

That shouldn't be a badge of shame for a 22-year-old quarterback with limited experience and two starts under his belt.

The reality of Sunday's disappointment in Chicago is that it was the epitome of a team loss. And in fact, many of the players most responsible for it were guys you'd expect to show out. They didn't, though, and now the 49ers enter Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks with an 0-1 record and a heck of a lot to prove.

These are the players who absolutely must come through for Lance and the 49ers Sunday to ensure a victory in Week 2.

Deebo Samuel, Wide Receiver

I'm not going to lie. Aside from a few nice runs and his touchdown scamper, Samuel had a pretty miserable game against the Bears. It's definitely not the start he, or the 49ers, were looking for after his holdout and subsequent monster contract extension this summer.

Samuel finished the game with just two receptions on eight targets, gaining 14 yards through the air. Clearly the weather was a major factor. However, it's impossible not to observe that Samuel and Lance are still working on their chemistry -- something that was evident this preseason as well.

Then, of course, there was the first-quarter fumble by Deebo that kept the 49ers from taking control of the contest early. Following a gorgeous pass from Lance to Brandon Aiyuk that gained 31 yards and put San Francisco in scoring range, Samuel coughed up the ball on a toss left, giving the Bears an absolute gift of a turnover.

This wasn't a banner day for Deebo. He has a lot to prove after inking his monster contract, and the 49ers are counting on him to do just that. He's one of the most important players on the team's offense and must perform at his highest level in order to give his young quarterback the best chance to succeed.

Trent Williams and Mike McGlinchey, Offensive Tackles

Before the season began, just about everyone was worried about the 49ers' interior offensive line. The 49ers are starting three new, relatively inexperienced guys at the guard and center spots, so this was a natural concern. While Aaron Banks, Spencer Burford and Jake Brendel were far from perfect in Week 1, Trent Williams led the team in pressures allowed (3) while Mike McGlinchey struggled on the right side as well.

This is a big issue they will need to correct in Week 2. The Seahawks may not have a ton of recognizable players up front defensively, but they did an incredible job harassing Russell Wilson on Monday night. In particular, Uchenna Nwosu was a terror off the edge. If McGlinchey isn't on his best behavior, Nwosu will eat him for lunch this Sunday.

When Lance has time to throw, he's already proven himself as a deadly gunslinger who can get the ball downfield with accuracy. Under pressure, he predictably struggled in Week 1. If No. 5 is going to take advantage of Seattle's depleted secondary, he'll need time to do it.

Dre Greenlaw, Linebacker

The entire team bears responsibility for the 12 penalties incurred in the 49ers' Week 1 loss to Chicago. You cannot give any team 99 free yards, lose the turnover battle, and expect to win in the NFL.

In particular, Dre Greenlaw had a brutal outing against the Bears. He was responsible for two of the most eggregious penalties in the entire game.

The first was a 15-yard penalty for a late hit on Justin Fields, who was sliding as he headed toward the sideline. Greenlaw ended up landing right on top of the quarterback -- an automatic flag and one that helped Chicago flip the field on the drive.

The second was singled out by none other than Kyle Shanahan as the worst penalty of the game. The 49ers had stuffed running back David Montgomery for no gain on 3rd-and-4. The problem? Greenlaw came in at the end of the play, with Montgomery already having been stopped, and grabbed the running back's facemask.

Another automatic 15-yard penalty, and this one cost the 49ers dearly. Three plays later, Fields bought time scrambing away from pressure and found a wide-open Dante Pettis for Chicago's first score of the game. This was THE momentum-killer. The one play that turned the game on its head. Previously, the Bears had been absolutely stymied by the vaunted 49ers defense. Suddenly, they had life, and ultimately this momentum swing led to a win for Chicago.

Greenlaw is one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL. He's one of the veterans the 49ers are counting on to contribute to what they believe can be the league's best defensive unit. Simply put, he cannot have a repeat performance in Week 2 if Lance and Co. are going to rebound with a win against the Seahawks.

Alex Mack Retires; Reflecting On What His Career Meant To Me

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 17:28:29 GMT

Alex Mack: Future Hall of Famer

It's been a busy time covering the 49ers as the team is in the middle of OTA's, continued speculation surrounding key players, rookies being signed to deals, and the recent retirements of both Alex Mack and Frank Gore.

I am going to dive into why Alex Mack's retirement has reminded me of why I love the sport of football so much and in particularly offensive line play.

Reflecting on Alex Mack's retirement

As I sit outside in my backyard drinking my coffee, reading over Mack’s farewell to football, Kyle and Johns comments; I’m being reminded of why I fell in love with football to begin with.

I feel Mack’s retirement has triggered personal reflection partly due to the fact that I looked up to Mack as a player when he was at Cal while I was learning how to play center at DVC in the Bay Area. Mack's consistency and dominance at the position instantly made him one of my favorite players on a loaded Cal football team.

While Alex Mack was at Cal, he was insanely dominant on a team full of future NFL players. He anchored a team that consisted of NFL guys like Cam Jordan, Mitchell Schwartz, Jahvid Best, Shane Vereen, Marvin Jones, Tyson Alualu, Mychal Kendricks just to name a few, many of which went on to have long NFL careers.

Looking back, Cal was my favorite college team, my former DVC teammate was the starting RT at Cal, so it was natural that I gravitated to Mack as he was the best center in the country; while I was learning how to play the position. You hear a lot about football players discussing other players that they'v watched when they were learning and Mack was exactly that for me.

Mack helped me fall in love with offensive line play. As many know, I have a passion for the trenches and Mack is apart of that.

I’ve watched Mack from a distance for his entire career and have recently been thinking about how cool it was to watch him every Sunday playing for the San Francisco 49ers.

I had the pleasure of studying every snap of the 49ers' offensive line this year and watching how Alex Mack brought stability to a top 5 offensive line unit that was at the bottom of the league just the year prior.

Obviously, would have loved one more ride with Mack but he’s had one of the most remarkable careers of any center to play the game and I’m happy for him that he can go out on his own terms, not something most players can do or say.

I didn't even know that Alex Mack apparently played with a broken leg in the Falcons Super Bowl game vs the Patriots. That just speaks to the competitor Alex Mack is and how he puts the team first above anything else.

As I sit here and type this I just keep going back to where it all started at Cal, back where my true love of the game was ignited and how Mack had an imprint on my early years and passion for football.

He’s yet again reminded me why I love this game.

When you’re building platforms, grinding content, and turning your passion into a career, you can lose sight at times of why you’re doing what you’re doing. A much needed reminder of why this game is so special to me and it’s because of the players who play the game, players like Alex Mack.

Clearly, the hole that Alex Mack has left in the center of the 49ers offensive line will be a hard one to replace but I sense that 49ers were in the know about Alex's decision and had moved through the draft and free agency accordingly. Not only are there still options on the open market like J.C. Tretter but plenty of in-house options that can be more than serviceable.

Again, Mack's retirement has allowed me to reflect and remember back to why this sport is so great and why it's so special to watch players go from college and mature throughout the years in the NFL; to watch Mack evolve into one of the best players the league has seen at the center position has been fantastic to observe.

Wishing Alex nothing but the best in whatever the future holds.

He’ll always be a “my guy”.

Initial takeaways of the 49ers offensive line from OTA's

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 31 May 2022 19:31:17 GMT

Things that stood at during the early portion of OTA's and a way-too-early week 1 starting OL projection.

It's an exciting time of the offseason as fans get a taste of 49ers football again with OTA's starting in full swing.

After two days of organized team activities, we have been able to pull some preliminary information from OTA's. There are no pads, there aren't any video of 11 on 11 or 7 on 7 team period so we it is difficult to objectively evaluate the play on the field but we can discuss takeaways from the first few days of practices and what it could mean moving forward.

Starting Offensive Line From OTA's

With Laken Tomlinson no longer a Niner, Alex Mack yet to make a decision on his retirement, mixed with plenty of rookie OL added to the team, there has been no shortage of speculation regarding what the OL will look like in 2022.

Per Jack Hammer of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat , the starting offensive line open to the media was a bit different than 49ers' fans have been used to in the past.

LT Colton McKivitz - Originally McKivitz didn't make the final 53 man roster in 2021 but Colton ultimately found his way into the starting lineup Week 18 in a must-win game against the Rams in order to make the playoffs. He played admirably and helped the 49ers advance playing at left tackle, which I would consider out of position. I see McKivitz primarily as IOL but the fact he held up at tackle boosted his stock in my eyes.

LG Aaron Banks - The former 2nd round draft pick has been a player we don't know a ton about from an on-field standpoint. He was hurt in preseason last year and only saw him in mop up duty for a handful of snaps against the Jags. However, looking at Banks, he does seem to have trimmed down his body and looks noticeably stronger. By all accounts, he is the leader to takeover the starting LG position when the rest of the starters return to the lineup.

C Jake Brendel - Obviously this has been one of the most scrutinized offseason positions on the 49ers simply due to lack of clarity. Alex Mack is a top center and his impact goes beyond what most even can understand. Ideally, the 49ers would be rolling out Mack in the starting lineup in 2022 but that remains to be seen. Brendel won a camp battle last year against current Seahawk Dakoda Shepley to remain as the teams backup center/guard. He has a chance to hold this position if Mack does indeed retire.

RG Jaylon Moore - This has been a move plenty evaluators saw coming but I still have some questions. I have been open in discussing how I wouldn't prefer to move Moore inside to guard because I feel it takes away from his natural attributes as a pass blocker but the 49ers have shifted the former LT inside. Moore has an opportunity to be a key piece in this OL if he can grasp the switch to OG. Training camp will be a much better indicator of his progress.

RT Justin Skule - Although it is great to see Justin Skule back in the lineup after suffering an ACL injury in last seasons OTA's session, I am not sure that seeing him in the starting lineup would be something most fans would feel confident about heading into 2022. Skule has done an admirable job in spot duty before when he stepped up in 2019 and 2020. however it remains to be seen how his recovery process has gone but all signs are pointing in the right direction. It appears that the 49ers coaching staff still has confidence in the young swing tackle.

Projecting The Week 1 Starting Offensive Line

Even though we don't know if Alex Mack will return or not, we can still assess what the best possible starting OL groupings could be in 2022.

Below is how I see it with Mack in the lineup as well as what starting OL could look like if he were to retire:

Left Tackle: There is zero questions of who will be the 49ers starting LT to start the season. cc: Trent Williams

Left Guard: Early reports out of OTA's suggest that the 49ers' OL Coach Chris Forester is "bullish" about Aaron Banks starting in 2022. I could sense the fans feel the same way and I fully expect Banks to take over the spot left by Laken Tomlinson.

Center: Obviously if Alex Mack returns, the job is his and the starting OL becomes much more clear. However, if he decides to hang it up, I am projecting the 49ers would kick Daniel Brunskill down to center over Jake Brendel (1st-string in OTA's) or Keaton Sutherland (2nd-string in OTA's).

The 49ers could opt to keep Brunskill at RG and have Brendel, Sutherland, and rookies West, Poe, Zackelj battle it out during camp but as we sit today, I'd feel more comfortable with Brunskill at center heading into his 3rd full year as a starter. I feel Kyle Shanhan's offense runs best with a veteran center but we could see that thought process tested this season. Personally, I'd prefer the competition on the OL spot comes at RG.

Right Guard: It feels like there is plenty of opportunity that comes along with this position without Mack in the lineup. You could have a plethora of guys competing for one of these interior spots between newly converted OG Jaylon Moore, rookies Spencer Burford and Nick Zackelj, while not forgetting veteran Colton McKivitz who I view as a natural guard.

Colton McKivitz did a lot for my confidence stepping in week 18 to face stud pass-rushers in Rams Von Miller and Leonard Floyd. He did this as an interior offensive lineman throughout his career and really solidified his value to the team in my eyes. As a veteran, I think he would have first crack at this position but maybe Jaylon Moore or one of the rookies can push for this spot if Brunskill kicks down to Center.

Ultimately, I believe Brunskill will be a starting offensive lineman in 2022 regardless if it is at center or guard.

Right Tackle: By all reports, Mike McGlinchey is progressing very well in his rehab which is a good sign for the San Francisco 49ers. I would imagine it his job no matter what after the Niners picked up McGlinchey's 5th-year option.

The 49ers have drafted interchangeable OT/OG prospects with 3 out of the last 4 picks they have used on rookie offensive lineman in Jaylon Moore, Spencer Burford and Nick Zackelj. While Zackelj profiles more as a C/G, he can still play tackle if needed. Justin Skule is also a name to watch as he could be attempting to lock down the 49ers swing tackle position.

The 49ers will likely carry 7 offensive lineman on the active roster, maybe bump that up to 8 if Mack retires. But as you can see, there will be healthy competition in training camp regardless of what Mack's future holds.

The offensive line developments will be something that I continue to monitor closely as we make our way through OTA's and into training camp.

Tell us what you think the starting OL will look like for the 49ers!

Top 5 Thing 49ers' Fans Want To See From OTA's

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 24 May 2022 17:29:14 GMT

Football is back and it all begins with OTA's

After months of offseason storylines, the pre-draft process and everything in-between, fans of the 49ers are excited to see some real action taking place in Santa Clara regarding the 2022 San Francisco 49ers football team.

We are going to dive into the top 5 things 49ers fans are looking for as we head into the 2nd day of OTA's, the 1st that is open to the local media and beat reporters.

Here are the top 5 things we will all be on the look-out for:

#5) FOOTBALL

(Image via 49ers.com)

Yes, it's that simple.

Fans will be over the moon just knowing 49ers' football is back, at least momentarily as OTA's kickoff with Mandatory Minicamp around the corner.

In talking with a lot of fans over the past few months, many are on record saying this offseason has felt as if it was the longest 49ers' offseason they have ever been apart of, based on the evolving situation surrounding the 49ers' QB position, constant questioning of the teams future of the franchise for national media, a star player requesting a trade, and the natural discourse across social platforms.

There has been plenty to distract from the actual play on the field which is why we are so excited to see it return for phase III of the offseason program.

Although it may seem trivial, we are all excited to get REAL football back in one of the most contentious offseason's to date. I think I can speak for a lot fans when I say we are thrilled to see 49ers helmets on green grass again.

#4) OTA Veteran & Rookie Standouts

(Image via 49ers.com)

With the understanding that not all players will be in attendance for OTA's as it is voluntary, fans will want to see which veterans and rookies will be standing out during this period.

There should be plenty of opportunity today for some analysis to be shared on this specific point. Although these practices are non-padded and there will be extremely limited contact, fans will still want to know who looks good and who needs some work.

For example, who caught everything thrown to them, who dropped passes that should have been caught, which DB's looked-up the WR's in 1v1 drills, amongst many things to takeaway from OTA's.

We'll also be looking for "fun" content to show more into a players personalities like the clip of Jauan Jennings below:

Not only do fans love to see the play on the field, but they love hearing the stories about how guys like Javon Kinlaw has started a Croc's movement inside the locker room and guys like the Jauan have fully bought in. Bringing insight into who these guys are as people will be something fans will definitely be on the lookout for.

#3) Clarity on the Offensive Line

(Image via 49ers.com)

As we drill down into more football specific things the 49ers' Faithful would like to see, I firmly believe OL clarity will be a huge point of emphasis this offseason, as it has already been.

The 49ers have drafted two offensive lineman in back-to-back drafts and have plenty of holes to fill upfront. With Laken Tomlinson leaving for the Jets in Free Agency, there is now a gaping hole at LG with real questions of who will take-over that spot.

Not only is there a massive hole at LG, the teams RT Mike McGlinchey is returning from severe lower leg injury sustained in the middle of last season. Although all signs point to a full recovery, it is still weighing heavy on fans minds and we likely won't be reassured of the status of McGlichey until training camp.

At risk of burying the lead, fans still don't know what the status of veteran center Alex Mack is, who was pivotal to the success of the 49ers OL in 2021.

It's been reported this morning from Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area that Alex Mack is still undecided on his return for the 2022 season. However, that doesn't mean fans still don't want to know who lines up at LG and C in place of Mack and Tomlinson.

Will they kick Brunskill inside, will Jake Brendal take over as the starting center, and is Aaron Banks running out at LG with the first unit?

Although we also recognize All-World LT Trent Williams and Mike McGlinchey likely won't be participating, it will be interesting to see who the "OTA Starting 5" is for the 49ers' offensive line. Fans will also want to know how the rookie OL look at first glance.

#2 Practice Footage & Photos

(Image via 49ers.com)

49ers' fans will be flocking to fan sites, beat reporters, and 49ers social's to find anything they can see of the new look 49ers heading into 2022.

I know I can speak for myself that I couldn't be more excited to see what these players look like after being away for an offseason. There have been some exciting changes and new faces added to the roster and fans will be eating up any piece of content they can get their hands on.

The 49ers started dropping content late last night and got things kicked off on the right foot..

Again, it's been an insane offseason so just seeing the boys back out on the field is a jolt of energy the fanbase desperately needs. Seeing the players out there on the field working on their craft is a breathe of fresh air amongst the non-stop talking points from national media pundits.

Fans will want to get more on field video and photos from todays practices as well as hearing from Head Coach Kyle Shanahan at 2pm PST.

#1) QB Trey Lance

Are you shocked to see 49ers' 2nd-year QB Trey Lance holding down the #1 ranking on this list? My guess would be, no.

Trey Lance is seemingly in the headlines every day surrounding the idea if he is "ready" or not to take over the starting QB position for one of the most storied franchises in all of pro sport.

As a result, Trey Lance enters what we believe to be his first full offseason as the 49ers' starting QB. Even though Jimmy Garoppolo is still on the roster, by all reports it is still believed that it is just a matter of time before Garoppolo is either traded or released.

In the meantime, all eyes remain firmly planted on Trey Lance as we get set to kickoff the first portion of the offseason program.

The 49ers traded a large amount of draft capital to obtain the the dynamic signal caller but there are still many of questions surrounding the young QB as he has only played 10 quarters in his young NFL Career.

We know that the team has put an emphasis on retooling his throwing mechanics that dates back to last OTA's. We will want to see if the throwing motion is more compact, does the "bounce-step" still remain at the top of his hitch, and has his accuracy improved, as reports have indicated that it needs work.

Whether we believe any of the above critiques to be true, it's safe to say, all eyes will be on Trey Lance throughout the offseason program as he enters OTA's as the unquestioned starting QB.

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49ers' Arden Key calls Trey Lance a "Mother F--Kin' Dawg"; provides contract update

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 21:17:58 GMT

Key was very candid on Instagram Live when talking about his contract situation amongst other topics

(watch Arden Key on IG Live above)

In today's new media age, we are seeing more and more players take to social media to take hold of their own narratives. In years past, we would typically only hear from players via beat reporters, team designated interviews, or the occasional national Tv hit.

Now, using social media, podcasts, and live streaming these players are able to be themselves and be honest with how they feel about certain situations as they see fit.

Impending 49ers' free agent DE Arden Key went on Instagram live today and opened it up to questions from the chat, so naturally I asked as many as I could, starting with how Key felt about Trey Lance as a rookie developing on scout team.

Key had nothing but good things to say about the rookie signal-caller:

Clearly, Trey Lance has already become a polarizing figure amongst the seemingly never satisfied 49ers' fanbase but there has been a lot of positive things said about Trey Lance in the last week.

Being fresh off covering the scouting combine in Indianapolis, we heard a lot of positive things from reputable football minds across then NFL spectrum.

The consensus is that Trey Lance has a bright future ahead of him and with Kyle Shanahan, they can do some serious damage in the league together. Jordan Elliott of NinersNation.com polled what felt like half the league on Trey Lance during the week long scouting combine and everything we heard in return was positive about the former #3 overall pick.

Arden Key didn't just talk about Trey Lance, he also talked about his current contract status with the 49ers.

Key was signed to the 49ers on a 1-year deal after being released by the Raiders before the 2021 season. Arden went on to compile 6.5 sacks and became a big time contributor down the stretch.

However, we understand the 49ers' front office will need to be very intentional with how to spend their money with the likelihood of Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel getting mega-deals in the very near future.

Key had this to say about his current negotiation status in getting a new deal with the 49ers:

Key went into more detail in the video ay the top of the page about Trey Lance, his contract situation with the 49ers, and many other topics.

It will continue to be a very interesting topic in regards to seeing how all the free agent chips fall this offseason.

Mock Draft 1.0 - 49ers Trade Jimmy Garoppolo to Colts

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 17:37:42 GMT

It's officially mock draft szn, baby!

Oh boy, it's that time again. With the 2021 season long behind us, I have finally put together mock draft 1.0 ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

As myself and the rest of the entire NFL world will travel to Indy to take on the combine and watch the next crop of NFL talent show what they are made of, take a look at mock draft 1.0 and let us know if you like how we built out the draft for the San Francisco 49ers!

Let's get started off with a bang:

TRADE!

The San Francisco 49ers Trade QB Jimmy Garoppolo to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2nd round pick (#48) and 5th round pick (#157)

The Colts have made it clear that they will not move forward with Carson Wentz at QB in 2022 just one year removed from trading for the former #1 overall pick from the Eagles this past season.

The Colts have built a playoff ready roster and are one solid QB away from getting into the playoffs. Garoppolo has proven to be a top tier leader and his presence alone could elevate the Colts to instant playoff contenders in the AFC.

(Trade) R2: 48 - EDGE Arnold Ebiketie

The San Francisco 49ers are able to turn QB Jimmy Garoppolo into a blue chip pass rush specialist in Penn St. Arnold Ebiketie.

Ebiketie is a former transfer from Temple who didn't lose a step once playing against top tier D1 talent week in and week out. As you can see from his stats below, he actually played better against the Big Ten opponents, racking up 9.5 sacks as a senior. The sack numbers are nice, but the 52 total pressures may be more indicative of his presence as a pass rusher for the Nittany Lions.

From a traits perspective, there is a lot to like about AE. He comes in at a height of 6'3" with a unrelenting motor and ability to use his hands in pass rushing situations and creates a lot of problems for bigger left tackles. AE's rip through move is one of his better pass rush moves that allows him to win around the edge with consistency. He has the required bend and burst to translate to the NFL level as well as solid counter moves off his main bag of tools.

He has a skillset that would allow him to play base downs in the NFL, however I see a specialized role in the Kris Kourcrek DL rotation for the 49ers as a rookie. Playing on the opposite side of Nick Bosa, AE could see a lot of freedom with opposing OLines sliding protection to Bosa.

Having a guy who can win 1v1 matchups across from Bosa could elevate the 49ers' pass rush to the deadliest in the league. My goal to see the 49ers bolster speed rush opposite of Bosa in 2022, I have made it a personal mission.

The 49ers would have a very solid start to the draft if they were able to move Jimmy Garoppolo and add a player like Ebiketie to the roster.

R2: 61 - Safety Kerby Joseph

Kerby Joseph is one of my early favorites in this draft class at safety for the versatility he brings to the field. At 6"1 200 lbs, I see a guy who has a skillset that could be viewed similarly to Jimmie Ward's. A guy that shows good physical ability but also has the range to play single-high or split deep.

He has a wingspan that reaches almost 6-foot-8 which you can see used to his advantage on tape. He's not an ultra-elite athlete but definitely more than capable to be successful in the NFL. He would also be an instant impact on special teams as he excelled as a gunner and kickoff for the Illini.

Joseph has an ability to identify the ball in the air and meet it at his highest point, allowing him to get PBU's/INT's with some regularity. He was able to snag 5 INT's in 2021 and proved he has plus+ ball skills as a safety. The 49ers could use an injection of turnovers from the safety position.

Heading into 2022 with Jimmie Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, Tarvarius Moore and Kerby Joseph would be a solid safety room.

Kerby Joseph's 90.6 Coverage Grade is the highest by a Big 10 Safety since Malik Hooker in 2016, according to PFF.

R3:93 - C Donovan West

Center Dohnovan West out of ASU would be a perfect matchup not only for the 49er but for me as he is one of me early draft crushes this season.

West shows an ability that you're looking for in every zone-oriented center. He is a plus+ athlete from the center position as he is asked routinely to pull. Typically, you only pull a center if he is in the upper echelon of athletic skillset from the IOL standpoint and it is something that ASU does with regularity. Kyle Shanahan could use his ability to pull from the center position to add additional wrinkles to the offense.

He can reach outside-shaded defenders with ease as well as get to the 2nd-level to block linebackers or safety's. His skillset matches exactly what Kyle Shanahan needs in the zone running game. He also is extremely stout in pass protection and shows that he can handle speed and power on the interior.

In the four games I've watched, he rarely loses reps and more often then not he is executing his assignment correctly at a high level. One of his current teammates told that his football IQ is at another level, something that is clutch in the NFL when it comes to diagnosing defenses and more importantly, blitz pick up.

Dohnovan West would be a steal here but won't be surprised to see him go top 60 when his name is called on draft day.

R4: 131 - WR Christian Watson

Christian Watson has been an early fan favorite due to the WR's ties to current 49ers' franchise QB Trey Lance, however this isn't a homer pick just to appease the fans.

The value for Watson at pick 131 is not to be passed on and he is a must-grab right here. I anticipate Watson being at top 100 player when the process is over, if not already.

Watson uses his 6'5" frame to win over the top smaller DB's but he is also much more than a prototypical "big" WR. He has ample speed and suddenness for a player his size. This suddenness brings a different element to the table that makes him very difficult to defend and allows you to use him in a multitude of ways.

Watson was able to grab 7 Touchdowns and put up over 800 yards for NDSU without Trey Lance in 2021.

The Watson and Lance connection netted 732 yards & 6 Touchdowns back in 2019. A lot of fans would love to see these two reunite and see what they could do in red & gold. This would also be a low-key signal to the fanbase that management is committed to building and putting pieces around Trey Lance to help benefit his development.

(Via Colts) R5: 157 - HB James Cook

There is definitely a brother trend developing in the NFL. The 49ers could keep the trend alive by selecting James Cook, younger brother of Vikings RB Dalvin Cook.

I personally feel that getting a player that possess James Cook skillset at this value is a home run. I see a clear cut role for how to integrate him into the offense year 1. The 49ers under Kyle Shanahan this past season had a clear role carved out for the 3rd down passing down back which was reserved to JaMycal Hasty. I see this as an upgrade as Cook could become an immediate impact in that role. Cook is extremely effective as a receiver out of the backfield and would be perfect as a new "wide-back".

Cook has the desired toughness, vision, suddenness that suits a zone-style rushing attack. I see someone who understands how to setup his blocks to maximize his effectiveness. I see a very good athlete and feel him being here in the 5th round is a reflection on the RB position being devalued, however that benefits the 49ers to get such a talent in the 5th round to pair with Elijah Mitchell, Trey Sermon and whoever else the 49ers sign in FA.

Also see a key contributor on special teams year 1.

R5: 170 - DL Haskell Garrett

The 49ers could be in bad shape at IDL depth if they are unable to retain the services of DJ Jones as he could land elsewhere for a larger payday.

Haskell Garret is a guy that could potentially play a part time role in year one to help aid in depth. I see him as a developmental player that could become more than we see now. His baseline skillset is still solid as he is a twitched up IDL with good first step explosion and ability to shoot gaps. He is a fluid athlete for his size but I see him as a guy that could be better than what we are seeing. Has plus+ traits from an IDL pass rushing standpoint but needs polish overall to really bring everything together.

I think some time with Kris Kourcek and the ability to learn behind guys like Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw could be very beneficial to his growth. Would be a much needed depth piece headed into 2022.

R6: 187 - CB Alontae Taylor

Tennessee CB Alontae Taylor is going to be a developmental pick that you can stash and see if he can turn into a player.

I like the swag that he plays with, you can tell he has some dawg in him and I appreciate the effort he puts out. I do see someone who could be a better tackler as he tends to dip his shoulder and sometimes misses the target altogether. He does have a lot of highlight reel tackles but I see the misses as well. He doesn't seem afraid to get his nose dirty but could use some polish to ensure he gets the job done.

Taylor could carve out a role on special teams and follow in the footsteps of other late round CB's like fellow Tennessee Vol Emmanuel Moseley who could develop over time and become a legit player.

He's a larger CB and could struggle with quicker WR's in the NFL. In the small study I could see solid coverage plays and others where he would get beat. Hips looks a bit tight and can get caught in his back pedal , something I will be watching for at the combine .

I imagine the 49ers address any CB concerns in free agency and look to the draft for depth pieces like Taylor.

R7: 257 - TE Connor Heyward

Conner Heyward may be one of my early favorites in the entire draft class. When you look up "football player" they should have Heyward's photo next to the dictionary definition.

He is a really solid football player but it is extremely hard to project what position the 6'0 230 lbs Heyward will play in the NFL. At MSU, he played RB, FB, TE, QB, Kick Returner and was successful at all of them. He has strong ball skills as a WR, strong vision as a RB/KR, and has a solid arm when playing wildcat QB.

I look at Heyward as a "positionless player" that seemingly find success in Kyle Shanahan's scheme. He may be a guy that rides the practice squad bubble for awhile until he finds a defined role but I would love to take a chance on a guy like this. I sense the mentality the he just wants to play ball and doesn't care how he gets on the field, those are types of players that I like.

Snagging him this late would be a fun project for the 49ers.

R7: 258 - QB Jack Coan

I see some promise in Notre Dame's Jack Coan at QB. Now, that doesn't mean he becomes a starter or even makes an active roster in 2022 but I see some tools that will be able to translate to the NFL level.

Coan would be drafted here to be the 4th QB heading into training camp for the 49ers. With Trey Lance and Nate Sudfeld as the teams top two signal callers, I would imagine the team turns to free agency to add a veteran backup behind Trey Lance.

Coan shows ability to make accurate throws over the middle and outside the numbers. He shows he can make layered throws in-between defenders. I don't see the strongest arm but it's capable. He will have to throw with anticipation in order to overcome lack of zip on the ball. Could be a nice developmental piece to stash on the p-squad but likely would be a camp arm for the 49ers.

R7: 259 - WR Deven Thompkins

I am extremely intrigued by WR prospect Deven Thompkins out of Utah State. He put up massive production in 2021 with 102 rec 1,704 rec yards.

Although he is definitely on the smaller side at 5'8" 155 lbs, I see another "football player" meaning a guy who doesn't have the desired measurable but has the heart needed to play the game. He is almost identical in size to former 49ers WR Richie James and could see a very similar role for Thompkins with the team.

I actually see Thompkins making a final roster if he lands in the correct situation.

I see plus+upside as a contributor on special teams in year 1 and could be a solid slot player. I think he has great ball skills and plays bigger than his frame suggest. He has shown that he can stretch the field with his speed and make acrobatic catches with regularity. I like this value here.

Grade Mock Draft 1.0!

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49ers' Captain Jimmie Ward reacts to Tom Brady linked to Niners rumors

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 18:05:22 GMT

Jimmie Ward isn't sure if Tom Brady would come out of retirement to play for the 49ers.

(Jimmie Ward reacts to Tom Brady rumors on IG Live)

Rumors have swirled around the 49ers like clockwork since the season has come to an end after a heart breaking loss to the Rams in the NFC Championship. Since that moment, all anyone is trying to discern is who will be the 49ers starting QB in 2022.

The answer may seem easy to some as they believe the 49ers would turn to their 2nd-year signal caller Trey Lance who they spent an exorbitant amount of draft capital on to acquire. Many believe the impending trade of Jimmy Garoppolo could be announced any day, which would have you think Trey Lance is a lock to start right?

The media has had different plans:

Ward was asked about the potential of Tom Brady playing for the 49ers and he didn't have definitive answer one way or the other.

However, he mentioned that he thinks this situation surrounding Tom Brady is a media creation, similar to the situation surrounding Kobe Bryant when he retired from the Lakers and the media was pushing for him to return to the team to play with LeBron James.

It seems that Ward believes Brady is done for real but as we know, only time can truly tell.

Watch his full comments on the video at the top of the page.

(Below - Jimmie Ward calls out Chiefs Tyreek Hill & Travis Kelce)

49ers' Jimmie Ward calls out Chiefs' Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 03:57:31 GMT

Spicy Jimmie Ward is the best Jimmie Ward.

(Watch Jimmie Ward Live)

49ers' Jimmie Ward took to Instagram Live to have have a little fun this offseason. If you remember, Ward went viral for a few comments he made during the 2021 offseason and he has returned for more.

Today, Ward had his sights set on Chiefs Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce among others.

He had this to say about the NFL super-stars:

"I wish I could catch Tyreek (Hill), I would put that boy to sleep." Jimmie Ward said. "I'm looking forward to that matchup with Travis Kelce, please somebody go and tell him I said that."

Jimmie Ward has no problem speaking his mind and we look forward to getting more of it this offseason.

Adam Schefter says "not a lock" 49ers trade Jimmy Garoppolo

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 20:06:24 GMT

Adam Schefter created a big stir by saying it's "not a lock" the 49ers trade Jimmy Garoppolo this year.

(Video via @MySportsUpdate / Twitter)

As if the offseason didn't need any additional stoking of its flames, ESPN's Adam Schefter joined the Ari Meriov NFL Show and had discussions regarding the likelihood that Jimmy Garoppolo would be traded from the San Francisco 49ers.

Schefter quickly jumped into the conversation to say not so fast on a "likely" Garoppolo trade:

"You say likely on Garoppolo (trade), I guess that's fair but I'm just telling you, Trey Lance was probably further behind than people realize. Trey Lance is Greener than people realized. Trey Lance is going to need more work than people realize and they have a roster that can win now."

Clearly Adam Schefter isn't sold on the idea that Trey Lance is ready to win now with the current 49ers roster.

You can add Adam Schefter to the long list of talking heads who continue to question if Trey Lance is ready to take over as the lead signal caller at the age of 22.

To be honest, it is a fair thought process to wonder if a guy who hasn't played a meaning football season since 2019 at the FCS level is ready to lead an entire NFL franchise, however we won't really know unless he is given the opportunity and a sense of belief to be able to show if he can or not.

We have heard from sources inside the 49ers building that Trey Lance is indeed ready and they are very happy with his progress thus far, as FOX's Jay Glazer tells NBCS Reporter Matt Maiocco.

Let's not pretend that he was drafted into a great situation where everything was geared towards getting the most out of Lance as a rookie because it wasn't. By all accounts, Trey Lance entering the 49ers' locker room was a clear threat to Jimmy Garoppolo being the starting QB and the players stood behind Jimmy Garoppolo in this instance, not necessarily Trey Lance.

Being in an environment like that could deteriorate a young players confidence so it will be interesting to see where Lance is at next season to determine if he can overcome everything that is being said about him. What will be truly interesting is to see how the pressure of being the #3 overall pick in the NFL draft combined with primarily playing scout team for most of 2021 will translate in the form of development in 2022.

At this point, only time will tell if Trey Lance is ready and if Jimmy Garoppolo gets traded or not.

Trey Lance making insane throws in leaked video's from 49ers practice

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 19:59:41 GMT

Trey Lance making all kinds of crazy off-platform throws.

If you went to bed early last night there is a good chance you missed the Twitter timeline explode with tons of hype over leaked footage of 49ers' rookie QB Trey Lance making crazy throws in practice.

Javier Vega of the 4th & Gold Podcast delivered the tantalizing clips to the timeline and they spread like wild fire, instantly going viral, gaining thousands of likes and retweets within minutes of them hitting the timeline.

As you can see in the above clip, these traits shown by Trey Lance show exactly why he was selected #3 overall in last years NFL draft by the 49ers. The ability to play outside the structure of the play and still be lethally accurate downfield is exciting and impressive for the 21 year old.

The physical tools shown in the above clip epitomizes why you spend high on elite traits like the one's Trey Lance possess.

Here we see Trey Lance rolling out to his right and delivering a strike with perfect accuracy while on the move.

These types of traits are very hard to defend because even if you defend the play well, Trey can break the structure of the play by rolling out and using the threat of his legs to force defenders to worry about him tucking and running, while then being able to deliver a dagger over the top.

This keeps defenses in a constant state of conflict based on their responsibilities which is exactly what you want in today's NFL.

Trey Day

Cleary, these clips have helped steer the narrative that "Trey Lance isn't ready" into a different direction.

That being said, Lance may still have some maturing to do as a leader of men as he is only 21 years old and is to be expected, but it's clear as day from what we have seen in 10 QTR's in 2021 and some of these practice clips, Lance has all the ability in the world to be "that guy".

Now, it will be dependent on the 49ers' coaching staff in nurturing the young signal caller and bringing the best out of the kid by developing and refining his traits because it appears Tom Brady won't be walking though that door anytime soon...

Watch: Jay Glazer says 49ers "in love" with Trey Lance's development behind the scenes

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 20:25:16 GMT

49ers personnel reportedly are loving Trey Lance, Jay Glazer tells Matt Maiocco.

(Original Video via NBCS Bay Area)

There has been plenty of discourse surrounding 49ers social media, specifically the conversation circulating around Trey Lance and if he is indeed ready to take over for Jimmy Garoppolo as QB1 for the historic franchise.

We have heard from many of the 49ers' players on the matter but this is the first report we have heard from "inside the building" as Jay Glazer of Fox Sports tells Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area .

Clearly, Glazer and GM John Lynch have a great relationship dating back to when Lynch was a broadcaster for Fox Sports, which is likely a strong indication of where this messaging is coming from. Fans will only be able to speculate until they can get their own eyes on the young signal caller in OTA's and training camp.

I'd expect this to be an ongoing conversation amongst the fans base regardless of how many reports come out of Trey Lance being "ready". Only time will tell at this point if Trey Lance is ready to rock and roll in 2022.

Rumor: 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo could be traded for a top 15 draft pick, per reports.

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 21:43:57 GMT

Well that escalated quickly.

With less than 24 hours removed from the Los Angeles Rams win over the Cincinnati Bengals to become Super Bowl Champions, there are already plenty of trade rumors that have been kicked around regarding 49ers' QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

It was thought that the 49ers could move Jimmy Garoppolo for a 2nd round pick and maybe a mix of other assets. However, The Athletic is reporting today that a Washington executive believes the Commanders would be willing to move their 1st overall draft selection (pick 11) for the rights to acquire veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

Now that the Super Bowl is over and there are no more football games to be played, the rumor mill has already picked up substantial head of steam and I don't anticipate it will slow down anytime soon.

The Athletic sites the lack of supply and demand of veteran starters already existing in the NFL combined from a weak incoming QB class according to most predominant draft scouts, leading to the rise in Jimmy Garoppolo's value. Although Garoppolo is a polarizing figure amongst 49ers' fans, another fan base could like the idea of getting a QB who has led his team to the Conference Championship game twice in the last three season, including one Super Bowl apperance.

Yesterday, NFL Network said Jimmy Garoppolo's no trade clause will expire at the official start of the new league year, however that will not hold up any potential trade prior to said deadline. Both sides are committed to finding a landing spot that works for both the player and team.

It will be very interesting to see if the 49ers can actually land a 1st round pick in exchange for Jimmy Garoppolo.

RUMOR: 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo linked to 3 teams for a potential trade

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:58:50 GMT

Rumors are starting to heat about regarding landing spots for Garoppolo.

One of the biggest moves to watch this offseason will be the landing destination for Jimmy Garoppolo.

Matt Lombardo of Fansided.com has reported there are three potential landing spots for Jimmy Garoppolo according to league sources. There is still plenty of things that still need to fall into place before Garoppolo gets moved, such as offseason surgery on the torn UCL, coaching carousel to be filled and completed.

A situation the we will continue to monitor closely but as Garoppolo stated in his exit interview with the media, Garoppolo is focused on being moved to a team that is ready to win.

George Kittle: 49ers season 'means nothing' without win vs. Rams

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 09:00:05 GMT

George Kittle throws down the gauntlet ahead of NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams.

San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle took to the podium Thursday for a meeting with local press and sent a strong message to his teammates, and the Los Angeles Rams.

The long and short of it? The entire season's a wasted effort if the 49ers don't beat the Rams Sunday at SoFi Stadium in the NFC Championship Game.

"This whole season actually means nothing if we don't get this win," Kittle told reporters , per Jake Hutchinson of KNBR.

He was asked whether it was a "body bag game" this weekend, as he had previously called the team's Week 18 battle with the Rams. Instead of taking the bait, Kittle replied, "It's the NFC Championship."

Kittle, as you may remember, is desperate for another shot at winning the Super Bowl. He famously vowed to get back following the 49ers' brutal loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019.

Love him or hate him, Jimmy Garoppolo is the engine that drives this 49ers team

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 21:10:56 GMT

Jimmy Garoppolo isn't the best quarterback out there, but he's the best for these 49ers.

If you had asked me back in early November if Jimmy Garoppolo would lead the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship Game, I would have questioned your sanity. Then again, I wasn't the only one with that conviction.

Following the team's abysmal Week 8 performance at home against the Colt McCoy-led Arizona Cardinals, Kyle Shanahan's 49ers sat at 3-5 and appeared destined for a disappointing end. At the time, I and many others were convinced that Shanahan was making a massive mistake keeping rookie Trey Lance on the bench.

Shanahan remained staunch in his conviction that Garoppolo gives the 49ers the best chance to win, however. He also continued to remain as upbeat as possible despite featuring a losing record, making it clear he still viewed the playoffs as a reachable goal.

San Francisco clawed its way back into the conversation, living up to Shanahan's expectations. However, Garoppolo ended up costing the Niners big in two key losses (@Seattle and @Tennessee) that made the end of the season quite a bit more interesting than it needed to be.

Once more, fans (myself included) were upset that Shanahan continued to stick with Garoppolo. This dynamic was magnified even more following the exciting home debut of Lance against the Houston Texans when Jimmy was injured.

After a slow start, Lance and the offense heated up and many were ready to hop aboard the Trey Train.

Following that win, though, Shanahan hit the breaks on any discussion of Lance starting, despite Garoppolo's torn thumb ligament in his throwing hand.

“If Jimmy is 100 percent healthy and can do everything perfectly, then I’m going to definitely go with Jimmy,” Shanahan said ( via PFT ). “I’m not just going to throw a guy in after one game like this when Jimmy has been doing it for us all year.”

This comment elicited groans across social media and in some media circles. Again, I was among those groaning.

But Shanahan's plan worked. The results speak for themselves.

The best part about all of this is that Garoppolo hasn't been close to perfect whatsoever in these last three games. Since his thumb injury, Garoppolo has gone 50-of-76 passing for 619 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.

Yet it's the man himself who has been the spark for these 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo, the person.

Here's what Deebo Samuel and George Kittle have said about him recently:

“I mean it’s hard being a quarterback in this league, and we know what it takes, and Jimmy has the heart and the mindset to do it,” receiver Deebo Samuel told SI.com's Albert Breer . “There’s never a [time] that we ever doubted Jimmy. We know everything that he’s capable of. And mistakes are going to happen, but it’s just how you bounce back, and he bounced back.”

No matter what you or I may think about Garoppolo as an NFL quarterback, he clearly is an inspirational force for these 49ers. When we see a quarterback screwing his team with a bad interception, his teammates know Garoppolo will come back more fired up than ever.

It's not pretty. In fact, many of the 49ers wins this season have been about as ugly as they come. That seems to be the way these 49ers like them.

After stuffing Aaron Rodgers and the vaunted Green Bay Packers offense into a locker during the divisional round, the Niners are headed to Levi's South for a third showdown this campaign against the hated Los Angeles Rams.

And if they do advance to the Super Bowl, Jimmy Garoppolo will have a lot to do with it, whether you want to admit it or not.

Cowboys fans flipping off 49ers' Trent Williams goes viral

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 21:09:51 GMT

This captured moment could be one of the most iconic photos in recent memory.

A photo of 49ers' Trent Williams being flipped off by Cowboys fans as as he exits AT&T Stadium after beating the Cowboys in a Wild Card matchup is quickly becoming one of the most polarizing images we have seen in some time.

Last night, Trent Williams posted this image to his story on Instagram and since then, a small viral storm has followed.

When we reposted the photo to twitter last night, it absolutely imploded with retweets, likes, and comments and it has not slowed down at all today. As the day progresses, tons of major outlets have been sharing the image with their followers.

I think it's safe to say that this image from Cooper Neill has reached instant legendary status.

Since we posted this image to twitter, it has absolutely blown up across the internet and been reposted by many major outlets including Pro Football Focus among others.

The response this photo has received has been insane in less than 24 hours and I would expect that it will continue as it reaches bigger platforms and accounts.

If you want to find more work from the legendary photographer that took this image, shoot him a follow on Twitter/Instagram @CooperNeill

Here is the original photo that went viral from Cooper Neill:

49ers win! Reactions from Niners' Wild Card victory over Cowboys

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 20:10:18 GMT

Early thoughts from 49ers' wild-card win over Cowboys

Our beloved San Francisco 49ers rode a gorgeous first-half performance to victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Though the second half was much more anxiety-inducing than the 49ers (or us fans) hoped for, the final score of 23-17 is the medicine we all needed..

There's a lot to unpack following the up-and-down performance. There will be time to get deeper into some of what transpired Sunday. For now, here's what stood out to me the most during the 49ers playoff-advancing win against hated rival Dallas.

Even without Nick Bosa, the defense shined

The 49ers defense held the Cowboys to just 307 yards of total offense at a clip of 4.4 yards allowed per play. Folks, these stats represent 110 yards less than Dallas' per-game average, and 1.74 yards less per play.

Mind you, the 49ers did much of this without All-Pro snub Nick Bosa, who was injured (head) before halftime. Fred Warner also missed key time in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, and the 49ers saw other top defensive linemen go down with injuries throughout the contest.

Despite all that, Dak Prescott was under constant pressure most of the game. He was sacked five times (six different defenders were credited with at least half a sack), hit 14 times in the pocket, and Dallas managed 77 yards of offense on the ground (3.7 yards per attempt).

Even better, the 49ers saw Emmanuel Moseley and Ambry Thomas play outstanding ball on the perimeter against two of the best receivers in the game. CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper combined for seven receptions for 85 yards and no touchdowns.

It was a championship-caliber defensive effort. If Bosa can return next week, and if the defensive line can stay relatively healthy, this defense could just carry the 49ers to their sixth Super Bowl win.

Run game continues to dominate

Going into Wild Card Weekend, we here at TheSFNiners were convinced a big key to victory Sunday was a heavy dose of Elijah Mitchell, Deebo Samuel, and the big boys up front. Man, did they deliver.

Mitchell was the workhorse of the 49ers offense. His stats aren't overly gaudy (96 yards on 27 carries and one touchdown). Yet the rookie's ability to consistently gain yards when holes are bottled up was a major aspect of the team's strategy to dominate time of possession and keep Dallas' offense off the field. Speaking of which, they did that to the tune of plus-7.54 minutes.

Deebo, as usual, was electric. The do-it-all star for the 49ers racked up 72 yards and one touchdown on 10 rushing attempts.

Teams know the 49ers are going to try running the ball down their throats. Dallas actually did a pretty decent job of creating problems for the run game. But the result speaks for itself. More of this going forward, please.

Jimmy Garoppolo nearly torpedoed 49ers

First of all, we're riding or dying with Jimmy Garoppolo the rest of the way. He's earned that. And yet again, he comes away from Sunday's game as the winning quarterback. That matters in a big way.

But the elephant in the room as it concerns Jimmy GQ has never gone away: He tends to throw at least a couple balls every game that could doom his team. It nearly happened a couple of times in Sunday's game, too.

The first major mistake was one that likely would have erased any hint of drama at the end of the game. Brandon Aiyuk absolutely dusted cornerback Trevon Diggs on a double-move to the sideline on 3rd-and-10 late in the third quarter.

It should have been an easy pitch-and-catch, but Garoppolo airmailed the throw and the 49ers missed a crucial opportunity to put the game away.

The second major mistake was the reason the game was even close at the end. Garoppolo once again threw very high on a throw to the right sideline, allowing Anthony Brown to come up with a gift interception.

This is the kind of stuff that would have absolutely lost the game for the 49ers against an opponent that didn't shoot itself in the foot so often.

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are incredibly adept at capitalizing on mistakes -- the kind of mistakes that cannot happen going forward.

49ers must avoid these pitfalls in Wild-Card clash with Cowboys

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 22:29:19 GMT

What could doom the 49ers to failure against the Cowboys?

It's been far too long since the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys battled in the NFL playoffs. This Sunday, the rivalry continues in full force on Wild Card Weekend.

Earlier this week, we took a look at a few major keys to victory for the 49er s . Speaking of which, many working in NFL media right now are picking the Niners to win (including a legendary former Cowboys receiver, who appears to be scared out of his mind at the matchup).

Now it's time to delve into the darker side of potential outcomes. Here's a look at what the Niners absolutely cannot do against the Cowboys this Sunday.

Offense cannot start slow against Cowboys

How many times have we watched the 49ers come out of the gates stumbling and bumbling as if they were still in preseason? Way too many, if you ask me.

It's got to stop. Like, yesterday.

First of all, my heart can't take too many more nail-biters. Secondly, every time the offense takes a half to finally find itself, the odds of a comeback decrease. I worry the magic might have been all used up in Sunday's legendary comeback win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Finally, the Cowboys simply have too many explosive weapons on offense to keep asking the defense to pick up the slack. It starts with establishing the run game early -- something that has not been easy of late.

Niners' WRs can't be dropping passes

Deebo Samuel's 2021 NFL campaign is one of the most remarkable things I've ever witnessed in football. His versatility, toughness and skill were a huge reason the 49ers are in the playoffs this season. Samuel isn't perfect, however. Despite jaw-dropping stat s he dropped 10 passes, and some came in bad situations that hurt the 49ers.

Deebo isn't the only receiver with a penchant for developing butterfingers, either. Jauan Jenning and Brandon Aiyuk have combined for nine drops this season.

Most people expect Kyle Shanahan to dial up the run game in a big way to take advantage of a big Cowboys weakness. I do as well. Yet when it's time to convert those third downs, the Niners must bring in those tough catches, whether they're right on the money or not.

No defensive PI, please

It's no secret that the 49ers have been atrocious all season long at defending the long pass. Sure, things have improved recently with the emergence of Ambry Thomas and the return of Emmanuel Moseley. The second half of last weekend's game was gorgeous as the defensive line took the game over and rattled Matthew Stafford in a big way.

This is still the same team that racked up 20 defensive pass interference penalty calls on the season, 17 of which were accepted. The next-worst team in the league this season was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had 14 called against them all year.

Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb can both attack vertically. Both are also incredible route-runners who can shred after the catch on short passes. San Francisco's cornerbacks will be tested in a huge way. Whether they pass or fail will have a huge bearing on the outcome of Sunday's playoff game.

49ers vs Cowboys: Three keys to victory ahead of Wild Card Weekend

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 20:31:22 GMT

The Dallas Cowboys offer unique challenges for the San Francisco 49ers on Wild Card Weekend.

The San Francisco 49ers used a comeback for the ages in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams to make it to NFL Wild Card Weekend and a clash with an old-school rival, the Dallas Cowboys. Things only get tougher from here as the NFL Playoffs kick into high gear.

The 'Boys won the NFC East handily with a 12-5 record. Former Atlanta Falcons head coach and long-time defensive coach Dan Quinn has the Cowboys playing inspired ball on defense, and the offense can light up the scoreboard. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the Cowboys also have legitimate superstars on both sides of the ball.

In a win-or-go-home scenario, these are the biggest keys for the 49ers vs. Cowboys on Sunday (4:30 pm EST on CBS).

49ers offensive line must cancel Micah Parsons

This NFL season ushered in a tremendous wave of outstanding defensive performances around the league. Among them, rookie linebacker Micah Parsons' emergence as a dominant force has been a treat to watch. The dude simply does it all for Dallas, and he's an absolute nightmare as a pass-rusher.

San Francisco did an incredible job for the most part of giving Jimmy Garoppolo time and space in the pocket to deliver quick strikes against the Rams last Sunday. Parsons presents quite a different challenge, though, as his speed and quickness are among the best in the NFL off the edge.

The rookie linebacker finished the season with 84 tackles (64 solo), 13 sacks, three forced fumbles and three passes defensed. Yet his impact goes far beyond the raw numbers. Parsons is a factor the 49ers must account for on every single play.

The Niners certainly have hope that All-World left tackle Trent Williams will play after missing Week 18 with an elbow injury. With or without him, their offensive line will have its hands full with Parsons screaming off the edge.

Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Co. need a repeat performance

Jimmy Garoppolo, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk were rightfully lauded as key figures in the stunning overtime win against the Rams in Week 18. However, the team's offense wouldn't have even had the chance it did without the exemplary contributions of Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, Arden Key, D.J. Jones, and everyone else on that defensive front.

The Niners also shut down the Rams' run game to the tune of 2.4 yards per carry on 27 attempts.

Dallas has put up 50-burgers in two of its last three games. Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and tight end Dalton Schultz comprise one of the elite quartets the NFL has to offer. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard can take a game over on the ground, thanks to the Cowboys' outstanding offensive line.

You get the picture. If San Francisco's defensive line doesn't dominate this Sunday, things could get out of hand quickly.

49ers must run Cowboys out of their own stadium

No offense intended for Mr. Garoppolo, but I don't want to see the 49ers attempt more passes than runs on Sunday in Arlington. Hopefully the team doesn't experience yet another slow start this weekend. For the offense, that means establishing dominance in the run game early, and often.

Despite featuring one of the NFL's most dangerous pass defenses -- Second-year cornerback Tavon Diggs led the league with 11 interceptions and Dallas led all teams with 34 turnovers forced -- the Cowboys aren't adept at stuffing the run.

This fits what Shanahan wants to do on offense to perfection. A winning formula involves Elijah Mitchell and Deebo Samuel finding early success. A winning formula on Wild Card Weekend involves keeping Dallas' offense off the field as much as possible.

Let's let the hogs run free, shall we? Time to feast, boys.

Rams' Aaron Donald Knows Who Deebo Samuel Is Now

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 20:11:08 GMT

Aaron Donald acknowledges Deebo Samuel before must-win game.

There has been plenty made of Aaron Donald's now infamous post-game presser when Donald said "Who's that?" when asked about the impact of Deebo Samuel after a loss to the 49ers in 2020.

Well, it does appear that Aaron Donald does indeed know who Deebo Samuel is now and even poked some fun at his comment from 2020.

Here is what Deebo Samuel had to say about Aaron Donald this week leading into the big game against the Rams.

Video: Jimmy Garoppolo Throws For First Time Since Thumb Injury

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 23:42:59 GMT

Jimmy Garoppolo looking pretty good in his first day back.

(Video via Matt Barrows/Athletic)

After Jimmy Garoppolo was injured with a reported UCL tear and chipped bone on the thumb of his throwing hand, it was extremely unclear of how serious the injury truly was and how it would impact his playing time moving forward.

It was obviously serious enough to keep him out of a must-win game against the Texans where the former 3rd overall pick in Trey Lance jumped in the drivers seat and lead the team to a 23-7 victory over the Texans.

With another must-win game this weekend against the Rams, a game in which players like Fred Warner are considering it to be a playoff game, the question remains who will be the starting QB? From the video above, you can see Jimmy Garoppolo getting his first throwing session in front of reporters since the injury occurred in week 16. Based on what we see in the video, he looks to be throwing pretty well.

Kyle Shanahan spoke to the media today and said that he would not name his starting QB until the end of the week.

Here are some comments from Jimmy Garoppolo today:

Video: 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo Speaks For The First Time Since Being Injured

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 03:39:04 GMT

The never ending Jimmy Garoppolo news cycle continues.

Jimmy Garoppolo has been a big point of emphasis since his primetime loss against the Titans on Thursday Night Football.

Since then, John Lynch has liked a tweet talking about leaving Jimmy Garoppolo at the airport in Tennessee, Jimmy Garoppolo unexpectedly missed practice to then later find out Garoppolo could have a potential ligament tear in his thumb.

Garoppolo met with reporters via zoom and discussed everything that has transpired since Thursday Night Football. Save to say there was plenty to talk about.

49ers' Dee Ford Responds To "False" Report About His Potential Release

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 18:49:09 GMT

Dee Ford said he isn't gone for good, just for right now.

A report surfaced late last night from ProFootballTalk.com regarding 49ers' often-injured defensive end, Dee Ford.

The report indicated that Ford had been telling his teammates his goodbyes and it was assumed that he was saying goodbye for good. Ford says that report was "false", per NFL reporter Mike Silver.

Mike Florio of ProFootbalTalk was reporting that Dee Ford had texted a group chat of 49ers' players saying his goodbyes which appears to be true, however was taken out of context as it was being reported that could be a strong indication that Ford would be released.

Dee Ford texted NFL reporter Mike Silver and told him the Florio report was "false" and that the defensive end was not being released.

Although it is true that Ford said his goodbyes, the reasoning is because Dee Ford will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the year which likely means he will not be around the team. Players on IR typically do not hang around the team often.

Below is the report from Mike Silver:

It appears Dee Ford is here to stay, at least for the remainder of the 2021 season. Obviously, when a player has only been available for a hand full of games over the past two season and is one of the highest paid players on the team, fans naturally want to see production from said player.

Even though Dee Ford was very productive in 2019, turning in one of the most prolific seasons in regards to pressures created on the teams way to the Super Bowl, this is a "what have you done for me lately" league.

I anticipate we will see a similar offseason from Dee Ford as we saw heading into 2021. Based on the contract structure, all signs point to Dee Ford getting another shot to make an impact in 2022, despite that being an unpopular thought amongst the fan base.

The 49ers' Add RB Brian Hill To The Roster, Per Matt Maiocco

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 20:51:15 GMT

RB added amidst only having one healthy RB on the roster.

The 49ers' have added running back Brian Hill, a former 5th round pick out of Wyoming. The team also released S Tony Jefferson from the Practice Squad in a corresponding move.

Hill has been on and off rosters since his time entering the league, playing two stints with the Falcons as well as having stops on the Bengals, Titans, and Browns rosters. Hill has compiled 945 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns, 38 receptions and 313 receiving yards, adding a touchdown through the air.

Personally, I like this signing based on who is currently available on the market. He's a zone-runner who is capable of seeing cutback lanes and hitting them decisively. Not a burner with 4.54 speed, however he can beat you if he gets the angle on defenders and has solid vision. He was a prospect I had my eye on coming out of Wyoming and believe he could fit in with the 49ers due to the injuries to the RB room.

It was reported that standout rookie RB Elijah Mitchell is dealing with some additional injury concerns this week, per Kyle Shanahan (concussion/knee). With JaMycal Hasty being the only healthy RB at the moment, the addition likely indicates that both Mitchell and Wilson are in doubt for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Watch: Every Run/Throw From Trey Lance vs Arizona Cardinals

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 19:39:37 GMT

Trey Lance looked poised in his first NFL start.

The 49ers showcased the number three overall pick on Sunday in rookie QB Trey Lance. The above video shows every run and throw from the game against the Cardinals.

Trey Lance was able to rack up 192 passing yards on 15 completions out of 29 attempts. Lance didn't throw a TD in his first start but did throw an INT on the first drive of the game. Trey Lance was able to add a completely new element with his legs by adding 89 rushing yards on 16 carries.

Although the 49ers ultimately fell to the Cardinals, there was a lot of potential shown by the young signal-caller.

Take a look for yourself and watch every run/throw from Trey Lance.

Watch: 49ers' Deebo Samuel Lined Up On The Wrong Side But Turned It Into One Of The Biggest Plays of The Game

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 16:57:02 GMT

Deebo Samuel made the best out of a bad situation.

(Deebo Samuel tells the story via 95.7 The Game)

Sometimes when life gives you lemons, you just have to make lemonade and that's exactly what 49ers' WR Deebo Samuel did in this scenario last Sunday.

During the matchup against the Eagles, the San Francisco 49ers had a rough start getting the offense kick-started during the first half. It wasn't until QB Jimmy Garoppolo connected with Deebo Samuel over the middle of the field prior to halftime which sparked a scoring drive. Deebo took the catch from mid-field and brought it down within 10-yards from the goal line.

It wasn't until Deebo Samuel joined Damon, Ratto, and Kholsky on 95.7 The Game and divulged that he actually lined up on the wrong side of the field and the rest is history.

A story that is worth listening to.

49ers' Nick Bosa Has Huge Game Against The Eagles

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 18:26:47 GMT

Nick Bosa has returned.

(Baldy's Breakdown of Nick Bosa vs Eagles)

49ers' DE Nock Bosa continues to make a strong case for Comeback Player of the Year after compiling (2) sacks against a formidable opponent in Eagles LT Jordan Mailata and RT Lane Johnson.

Bosa leads the NFL in pass-rush win rate (36%) according to PFF after two games. Bosa continues to impact the game in a large way and is also creating opportunity for his teammates with plays going away from Bosa's side.

Nick Bosa is currently on pace for 25.5 sacks if he continues to terrorize opposing offensive lines like he has in done the first two weeks of the season.

I also anticipate we will see even more of Bosa as the team is ramping him up after rehabbing most of the offseason.

49ers' Fans Take Over Rocky Statue Before Eagles Game

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 04:06:13 GMT

It's going down in Philly.

49ers' fans took to the famous Philadelphia landmark on Saturday and a video of the gathering captured by Eric Crocker caused quite a stir amongst Eagles' fans social media.

Fans of the the Philadelphia Eagles weren't too particularly pleased seeing a 49ers' flag wrapped around their favorite cult hero.

Take a look at the video below:

Once Eagles' fans caught wind of the video on twitter, they showered the tweet with hilarious responses to the video like the ones you see below.

It's clear that there will plenty more trash talk coming before, during, and after the game. Eagles' fans feel that the 49ers' fans have disrespected the Rocky statue and deserve to pay, just as the Vikings did when their fans gathered around the statue and were handled by the Eagles.

We shall see the if the 49ers meet the same fate as the Vikings from a few years past or they show up ready to battle not only the players on the field, but the fans in the stands as well.

Watch: 49ers' LB Azeez Al-Shaair Has Insane Game Against The Lions

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 18:47:11 GMT

Al-Shaair put up a seasons worth of highlights in one game.

(Azeez Al-Shaair Week 1 Highlight)

The 49ers' LB stepped up big against the Lions in his week 1 performance compiling 7 total tackles - 2 TFL - 2PD with a lot of the plays coming in big moments.

I will go out on a limb and say Al-Shaair had a better and more impactful game against the Lions than All-Pro LB Fred Warner. That's how good Azeez Al-Shaair was this week, seemingly making play after play in a row -- Al-Shaair was flying all over the field.

With the 49ers losing starting LB Dre Greenlaw, the team will turn to Al-Shaair to repeat the performance he had against the Lions for 6-8 weeks while Greenlaw recovers from a core-muscle injury.

All things considered, it is tough to lose a player like Dre Greenlaw but it is not often that the back-up is just as talented as the starter.

Azeez looks to turn in a breakout year in 2021.

49ers' Raheem Mostert Heads To Long-Term IR; Team Adds Kerryon Johnson, Plus More.

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 00:28:59 GMT

49ers made a decent amount of roster moves today.

(Recap video of today's news)

The 49ers made a bunch of roster moves today in wake of the news that starting running-back and captain Raheem Mostert will be headed towards season-ending IR after opting for corrective knee surgery.

Mostert took to twitter to and posted a message alerting fans that he was opting for season-ending surgery:

This news is tough to hear as a fan of the 49ers and Raheem Mostert because this news could indicate the end of Mostert's time with the 49ers.

Mostert is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and all signs have already pointed to this being Raheem's last season with the team. The 49ers traded up into the third round of last years NFL draft to select running-back Trey Sermon out of Ohio State as well as selecting RB Elijah Mitchell in the 6th round, who just had a monster game against the Lions.

All signs point to Raheem Mostert having taken his last snap in the 49ers jersey.

49ers Sign Kerryon Johnson

In a corresponding move with the Mostert news, the 49ers signed 24 year-old RB Kerryon Johnson.

Johnson was a former 2nd round pick with the Lions in 2018. Kerryon was a big riser in the draft process after scoring 18 rushing touchdowns in his final season at Auburn. Running for that many touchdowns in the SEC as a 20 year old was extremely impressive, but we have yet to see it translate to the NFL.

A big reason why we haven't seen his dominance in the SEC translate to the NFL is partly due to injuries and the ever-changing coaches and front office staff for the Lions.

Kerryon Johnson compiled 1,225 yards on the ground with 8 TDs in his first three years in the NFL.

Unfortunately, 2020 wasn't a good year for Johnson as he was submarined on the depth chart by veteran Adrian Peterson and his season being cut short in 2020 with a meniscus tear. The Lions decided to move on from Johnson and he landed with the Eagles this off-season but was placed on IR after getting injured again and was subsequently released from IR.

It will be interesting to see if Johnson finds a home here with the 49ers.

Additional Roster Moves:

49ers' 53-Man Roster Projection

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 18:32:53 GMT

Predicting who stays and who goes.

QB - (3)

- Jimmy Garoppolo

- Trey Lance

- Nate Sudfeld

Due to potential Covid issues, not sure the 49ers' only want to roster two-QBs, especially if both will be getting ample playing time this season.

RB/FB - (5)

- Raheem Mostert

- Trey Sermon

- Elijah Mitchell

- JaMycal Hasty

- Kyle Juszczyk

This was one of the harder decisions to make, not only because Wayne Gallman has been playing well, but FB Josh Hokit appears to have all the makings of a starting FB in this league. Hopefully the 49ers somehow swing both around to the practice squad.

WR - (6)

- Brandon Aiyuk

- Deebo Samuel

- Mohamed Sanu

- Trent Sherfield

- Jauan Jennings

- Jalen Hurd

Sherfield is probably the biggest riser of 49ers' training camp and has carried over those performances over to the field this preseason. Travis Benjamin, River Cracraft were among those fighting for this spot but it appears this is how the group will look in 2021.

TE - (3)

- George Kittle

- Ross Dwelley

- Charlie Woener

The main battle in camp was over the third TE spot but it appears Woener has locked up that spot with a very solid preseason.

OL - (8)

-Trent Williams

- Laken Tomlinson

- Alex Mack

- Daniel Brunskill

- Mike McGlinchey

- Jaylon Moore

- Aaron Banks

- Jake Brendel

This is absolutely a position group in which I personally would want the team to be allowed to keep more guys but we are dealing with a #'s game here.

Dakoda Shepley has had an extremely strong camp/preseason and just gets edged out by Brendel, who by all accounts is trusted by Kyle Shanahan at both C/G. Shon Coleman and Colton McKivitz get edged out as well.

DL - (11)

- Javon Kinlaw

- Arik Armstead

- Nick Bosa

- Dee Ford

- Samson Ebukam

- Arden Key

- Kevin Givens

- Maurice Hurst

- Kentavious Street

- Zach kerr

- DJ Jones

*Jordan Willis (doesn't count against roster for first 6 weeks of the season due to suspension)

One of the deepest groups on the roster, I choose to keep 11 DL as the 49ers head into 2021. Football is a war of attrition and I want this group to be one of the strongest/deepest groups on the entire team.

Update: the suspension of Jordan Willis allows the team to Keep Zach Kerr who I had originally not making it, if Willis were to count towards the roster.

LB - (5)

- Fred Warner

- Dre Greenlaw

- Azeez Al-Shaair

- Darius Flanigan-Fowles

- Jonas Griffith

In my projections, I have Griffith making the team although this last LB spot could absolutely go to Marcell Harris. Griifith vs Harris is one of the most underrated camp battles on this roster. Both bring special teams ability but I lean Griffith as I feel he has more potential and upside at the LB position.

DB - (9)

- Jimmie Ward

- Tavon Wilson

- Jaquiski Tartt

- Talanoa Hufanga

- Jason Verrett

- Emmanuel Moseley

- K'Waun Williams

- Deommodore Lenoir

- Ambry Thomas

I think if Ambry Thomas wasn't a 3rd round pick, Alexander Myres made a strong case to be the last CB on the roster. However, I don't think the team will give up on Ambry that easily. Plus, the team could sneak Myres onto the practice squad with relative ease. They would try to do the same with HaHa Clinton-Dix as well.

Special Teams - (3)

- Robbie Gould

- Mitch Wishnowski

- Tabor Pepper

No surprise here.

Practice Squad - (16)

- Dakoda Shepley

- Alexander Myres

- Alex Barrett

- Darrion Daniels

- Josh Hokit

- Marcell Harris

- Justin Hillard

- Elijah Sullivan

- Colton McKivitz

- Jared Mayden

- Nsimba Webster

- HaHa Clinton-Dix

- Shon Coleman

- Tom Compton

- Eddie Yarbrough

- MyCole Pruitt

I believe we will see some things go down due to Hurst will be injured with a high-ankle sprain to start the season and could be shuffled around once he actually makes the final roster.

I could see Hurst making the team, then being placed on short-term IR to allow the team to bring back a player like McKivitz/Myres. Hurst can be activated to play after 3 weeks on IR.

This was extremely difficult to project and still don't feel 100% confident with all my selections but had to go with my gut on a few. Glad I am not Kyle Shanahan or John Lynch right now because some tough decision will have to be made.

Watch: Every Run/Pass From 49ers rookie QB Trey Lance (Preseason Game2)

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 20:02:18 GMT

Trey Lance looked sharp after settling in after INT.

49ers rookie QB Trey Lance didn't necessarily have the opening drives that he would have liked to have, one having led to an interception. However, once Lance was able to settle in, he began to dice up the Chargers defense.

Lance finished the last three drives against the Chargers 7 of 9 on passing, throwing 2 TDs. One of the TD's came before the half in a two-minute drill situation that Lance excelled in. The young signal-caller moved the ball down the field efficiently and effectively, capping it off with a dart to Mohamed Sanu Sr. for 6 points.

We also saw a glimpse of Trey Lance's running ability, running it in on a two-point conversation that was called back on a holding penalty. He also had another nice scramble, showcasing he elite athleticism.

Through two preseason games, Trey Lance is the most accurate rookie QB when targeting past the sticks at a 64.3% (via PFF).

Watch: Trey Lance Throws His Best Pass In Today's Practice

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 02:15:07 GMT

Trey Lance did something really, really good today.

49ers' fans have been discussing the quarterback position in what feels like a never ending hamster wheel for the better part of a year.

The reason that is important is because now the team has two potential franchise QB's and one of them is starting to separate.

During today's first padded practice of the summer, Trey Lance unleashed his best pass as a pro. Lance maneuvered through a messy pocket to find himself fading to the left. Lance uncorked a pretty deep pass to WR Trent Sherfield who brought in the perfectly thrown pass.

The stands exploded with cheers as Trey Lance made one of the better throws you will ever see on a football field. Lance was hands down the best quarterback on the field today and it even felt like Lance was the 49ers real QB1 based on how Kyle Shanahan was dialing up plays for the young QB.

We even saw Trey Lance get his first team rep today.

Take a look for yourself:

Watch: Trey Lance Gains Ground On A Deep Roster

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 03:26:30 GMT

Recap from today's training camp practice.

(Today's Training Camp Video Breakdown Above)

As we assumed prior to camp, all eyes continue to stay on Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance as they continue to compete in camp.

Today was my first day taking in training camp at the 49ers' practice facilities to see the future franchise QB and the former franchise QB in Jimmy Garoppolo fighting to keep his job.

Based on what I saw today, a much larger conversation could be headed our way if Trey Lance continues to ascend while Jimmy's inconsistent play seemingly is here to stay. This inconsistency can stem back to the 2020 season and you can even pull examples form the 2019 season when Jimmy Garoppolo led the team to a quarter away from being Super Bowl Champions.

I am still seeing 'up and down' Jimmy and he may start feeling additional pressure due to Trey Lance having a much more natural skillset and being able to execute the offense pretty well this early in camp.

One of the main focuses for myself heading into training camp today was the offensive line. I really wanted to understand what the starting unit looked like and if any of the recent rookie draft picks would slide in with the first unit.

I was anticipating the potential of Aaron Banks rotating at RG but that was not the case:

There were also some other position groups that stood out today. When looking at the offensive line unit, it was apparent that the interior defensive line was playing very well.

Javon Kinlaw has been sitting out team periods so it has really given the DL depth an oppertunity to blossom.

The RB room is also another position group that is stacked with a bunch of good players. A lot of them impressed today in camp and showed that the 49ers' may have the most talented RB room since Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017.

For today being my first training camp practice, it was a great measuring stick to see these players in shorts and shirts to be able to see who shows up now that pads come on tomorrow.

When pads come on, we will get a better sense of who stands out and who doesn't. Pads are the great equalizer. I will be back tomorrow to cover training camp again and excited to hear those pads pop again.

Watch: Jimmy Garoppolo And Trey Lance Battle Heating Up

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 22:51:13 GMT

The QB battle appears to haven been taken up a notch.

Today was definitely a day that moved the quarterback needle for the San Francisco 49ers based on news and notes that have come out of training camp. The dynamic situation surrounding the QBs has taken a next step in its development.

We saw a situation play out today where Jimmy Garoppolo through 2 INTs and Trey Lance showed off his running ability with Kyle Shanahan implementing the zone-read game.

As a result, a narrative is beginning to be developed surrounding the QB competition and we break it all down.

Watch today's 49ers training camp breakdown here:

Trey Lance Signs 4-year $34.1 million Deal, Two Players Added To Reserve/Covid List

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 17:07:58 GMT

No holdout for the rookie first round pick.

The 49ers' were able to escape their first holdout under the John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan regime by locking up rookie QB Trey Lance to a 4-year deal.

The deal is worth $34.1 million and is fully guaranteed. The 49ers now have the entire 2021 rookie draft class signed and ready for training camp to begin.

Jaquiski Tartt and Jauan Jennings Place on Reserve/Covid-19 list

The 49ers will now have three players starting camp in the Reserve/Covid list, joining CB Emmanuel Moseley who was added to the list earlier this week.

49ers Training Camp Recap - Day 1

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 03:30:53 GMT

Players and staff report for training camp.

Although the 49ers' players actually didn't take the field today, there was plenty of news and updates that came out of team headquarters after players have officially reported for training camp.

While the players, staff, and reporters descended on Santa Clara for the first time in quite some time, it didn't change the main topic of discussion surrounding which continues to swirl around the QB position.

Before we take a deep dive into the quotes surrounding Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, let's review some of the player transactions and news that came across today.

Roster Transactions

The team makes a few roster moves:

Signed: DL Anthony Zettle and DL Eddie Yarbrough

Waived: WR Andy Jones

PUP: S Tarvarius Moore and RB Jeff Wilson Jr.

The 49ers' opted to waive a WR from their extremely deep WR room to add depth to the defensive line. John Lynch spoke about Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, and Jalen Hurd in the sense that they will be eased into camp, which makes sense why the team is bringing in two defensive ends.

Both Zettle and Yarbrough will likely be camp bodies to help provide depth with both Bosa and Ford taking it easy heading into camp.

Emmanuel Moseley Heads To Reserve/Covid-19 List

Moseley is coming into this season with a fresh two-year contract but unfortunately the young CB will start the year on the Reserve/Covid-19 list.

Here is what Moseley will have to go through in order to get back on the field fo the 49ers:

Kyle Shanhan and John Lynch Address the Media

Twitter was a buzz today as the Kyle Shanahan laid out a few spicy quotes regarding the QB competition between Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance.

Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Jimmy Garoppolo is the 49ers' "best QB in the building right now, so he’ll start out training camp that way”.

Kyle went on to tell reporters about what he told Jimmy Garoppolo the day they traded up to three and that he should feel secure in competing for the job. Kyle said, “There’s no rookie who’s going to come in here and take your job right away.”

I took some time to breakdown all the quotes from Kyle Shanahan and you can see how to interpret the quotes from today.

49ers' Players React To Fred Warner's Big Pay Day

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:29:09 GMT

What a day for the 24-year old, a former 3rd round pick.

If you are a fan of the 49ers or part of the organization in any way, today is. good day.

It is always a good day when the organization you cover locks up one of the best players in the entire NFL for the forceable future.

Here is how some of his teammates reacted to the news:

49ers Extend Fred Warner To Five Year Deal

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 16:43:39 GMT

#PAIDFREDWARNER

The 49ers and Fred Warner have agreed to a massive contract extension totaling 5-years, $95M with $40.5M guaranteed.

This is huge news for the team and fanbase as the 49ers have locked up the All-Pro LB for years to come. Fred Warner is a core leader of this team and deserves every penny of this contract.

Fred Warner is no the highest paid LB in NFL history.

Who Is The 49ers Real QB1?

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 01:46:53 GMT

Can Jimmy Garoppolo maintain the crown?

The topic that has dominated the offseason for the 49ers' has centered around the quarterback position. As camp approaches, the Trey Lance vs. Jimmy Garoppolo conversation has been kicked up a gear.

I take a look back a the 2020 season, arguably the most polarizing offseason in 49ers' history as well as diving into Kyle Shanahan's recent podcast comments, and how all of it ties into who will could be starting at quarterback week 1 for the 49ers.

Watch on YouTube:

Raheem Mostert Responds To Being A Possible Trade Candidate

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 16:44:55 GMT

Raheem Mostert isn't buying that he could be on the move.

Yesterday, 49ers' beat writer Matt Maiocco floated the potential trade of running back Raheem Mostert via his podcast, 49ers Talk with Laura Britt of NBC Sports Bay Area.

The notion of Mostert potentially being dealt is based on the the 49ers having a crowded RB room that could lend itself to seeing a guy like Mostert traded. The 49ers' traded up into the 3rd round to select RB Trey Sermon out of Ohio State and selected RB Elijah Mitchell in the 6th round as well. The team also added RB Wayne Gallman in free agency.

Here is what Maiocco had to say:

Here at TheSFNiners, Raheem Mostert is a player that we lift up regularly and is a fan favorite amongst the Faithful. That means we are quick to defend our guys from any speculation of being traded.

I made a post to instagram showing Mostert figuratively stiff arming a tweet about him being traded and Mostert responded.

Raheem Mostert responded on this post with emoji's that would translate to "Smoke and Mirrors". By definition, smoke and mirrors means; the obscuring or embellishing of the truth of a situation with misleading or irrelevant information.

Clearly, Mostert is buying the trade talks as he heads into a contract year with the 49ers.

Trent Williams, Deebo Samuel, Lil Wayne and James Harden Enjoying Offseason

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 19:46:23 GMT

The boys are getting it in before camp.

49ers' Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel are seen enjoying their offseason, as see by the video above.

The two 49ers are seen being flanked by Lil Wayne on the mic and basketball superstar James Harden. I am all for our guys living their best lives during the offseason as this is needed to mentally withstand the grind of an NFL season.

Deebo Samuel has been seen recently putting in a lot of work this offseason and is looking to be in great shape to start training camp.

Deebo Samuel is likely out in Houston not only to workout but was seen at the premier of Trent Williams documentary about his personal journey.

Trent Williams was seen on social media showing the All-World LT dripped up just a couple days ago.

h/t Amber Billops

Watch: 49ers Jersey Unboxing | New Red '94 Throwback

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 22:52:26 GMT

I open up my custom jersey and get my first look at the new throwback jerseys.

These jersey really pop and will likely become one of the most popular options amongst 49ers' fans.

If you want to get your hands on a 49ers jersey, head to shop49ers.com. Just understand that all jerseys ordered online will have a sublimated patch. You can only get the stitched patches from the 49ers' team store.

Overall, a really solid jersey and would be great to have in either stitched or printed.

First Statement Released From Richard Sherman

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 18:45:47 GMT

Richard Sherman posts his first public statement since being released.

Richard Sherman indicates in his statement that he has been battling mental health for several months.

A positive to take away from this situation is that a narrative surrounding mental health has developed and will only be talked about further based on Sherman's statement.

Although a difficult situation for Sherman and his family, this will spark a greater conversation that will help destigmatize mental health concerns in athletes.

Breaking: Richard Sherman Arrested On Domestic Violence Charges

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:23:01 GMT

The future Hall of Famer has found himself in prison facing felony charges.

A bombshell tweet from Adam Schefter has rocked the football world early on Wednesday, July 14th.

According to Schefter, Sherman has been booked to King County Correctional Facility for "Burglary Domestic Violence" and has been denied bail. Per Joe Fann, Sherman is facing a felony offense, which indicates that the series of events that landed Sherman in jail are indeed very serious.

There has yet to be any details provided regarding the incident. The NFLPA has responded to the allegations regarding it's high-ranking member, Richard Sherman.

Richard Sherman was last shown via his Instagram at an amusement park with his kids yesterday. Less than 24 hours later, he finds himself in jail facing serious charges.

This is certainly a tough situation for Sherman who was looking to be added to a team prior/during training camp. Sherman told me early on in May that he had interest in returning to the 49ers and that there was mutual interest in bringing him back.

"If so, we got one last run in us." Sherman said about his potential return to the 49ers.

Now it appears that any chance of return for Sherman has been slammed shut. NFL teams typically don't get involved with any type of free agent who is in the middle of a serious allegation like this and will allow due process to play out. This is an unfortunate situation as I truly believe there was a strong chance that Sherman returned to the 49ers roster in 2021, at least prior to todays news.

Watch: Dez Bryant Impressed with 49ers' WR Mohamed Sanu Sr.

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 18:52:08 GMT

The veteran WR likes what he's seeing from Sanu.

49ers' WR Mohamed Sanu posted a workout video (below) showing some of the intense training he has been taking part in this offseason.

You can also see by the videos Sanu posted to Instagram; he's in fantastic shape. This is something 49ers' Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniels spoke about when discussing the veteran WRs performance from OTA's:

Clearly there are people inside the organization that are taking notice of Sanu. There appears to be a strong case building for the veteran WR to make the final roster. The notion of Sanu making the final roster had been in question after the 49ers signed Sanu during the 2020 season and he was quickly released.

One of the main topics of discussions this offseason has been surrounding the 49ers WR3 position battle. Early projections have included Richie James Jr, Jalen Hurd, Jauan Jennings, winning the battle.

Sanu now has an oppertunity to win the big slot role with the 49ers. The team didn't select a WR in the draft, only bringing in UDFA Austin Watkins out of UAB. This means there will be an oppertunity for a player to step into immediate production.

My take on Sanu's 2020 stint is this, it was amidst the pandemic and an extremely difficult year for a lot of people. Gyms were closed, family's were staying home together. Sanu was not signed with a team that offseason so he did not have a team structure to fall back on which could easily lend to him to falling out of football shape. I imagine this is why he did not last long with the team back in 2020 and why McDaniels gives a nod to his current shape.

Now, Sanu appears to be in great shape and looks to be motivated to prove that he still has what it takes to be a star in this league.

Breaking: Former 49ers' TE Greg Clark Has Died, Per Source

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 21:37:22 GMT

Greg Clark was 49 years old.

Per source, former 49ers' third round TE Greg Clark has passed away from an apparent suicide on Wednesday, July 7th.

I have one concrete source that has confirmed the news to go along with the social media post left by his family members.

Clark was a tight-end for the Stanford Cardinal prior to his 5 year career in the NFL with the 49ers. He completed his career with 92 receptions, 909 receiving yards, and 4 touchdowns.

He also caught two TDs in the classic 1998-99 playoff game against Green Bay which is famous for "The Catch" by Terrell Owens.

Greg Clark will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Statement from family confirming report:

Watch: 49ers' Jimmie Ward Talks Training Camp Brawl With DeAndre Hopkins

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 20:41:08 GMT

Get your popcorn ready.

Jimmie Ward and I spoke last week on Instagram Live and Ward provided some candid comments on multiple topics, one of them being about the scuffle that Ward had with All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins.

In 2018, the 49ers traveled to Houston for a week of joint practices with the Texans. The fight that broke out in 1v1 drills turned out to be one of the highlights from the week.

Jimmie Ward pulls back the curtain on his thought process surrounding the epic fight.

49ers' Brandon Aiyuk Makes Sick Catches In Offseason Workout

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 03:36:25 GMT

Brandon Aiyuk looks primed for a year two leap.

(photo via Pierre Pierre Productions)

The second year receiver is looking to take a big step forward in his development in 2021.

You can see from some of his recent workout sessions that it is hard to overthrow Brandon Aiyuk due to his length. The passes shown in the clip tend to sail on Aiyuk but he is able to showcase his amazing wingspan and snag each pass. His length allows him to make better adjustments on balls that might not be perfectly thrown.

Aiyuk put up 748 yards on 60 receptions and scored 5 times in 2020 as a rookie, playing with three different QBs. He did this over a span of 12 games after getting hurt early in the season. A healthy Aiyuk would have been on pace for a 1k yard receiving season as a rookie if he appeared in all 16 games. He also added two additional touchdowns on the ground as a rusher.

I believe Brandon Aiyuk cements himself as a top 15 WR in the NFL in 2021.

49ers' Kyle Shanahan Admits Pursuing QB Matthew Stafford During Offseason

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 17:48:59 GMT

You heard it from the man himself.

Some old stories have been rehashed as the 49ers' Head Coach joined the Flying Coach Podcast which is hosted by NFL Networks Peter Schrager and Rams Head Coach Sean McVey.

It is a great podcast and definitely worth a listen but 49ers' fans ears perked up a bit when they got to the part about Matthew Stafford and Kyle Shanahan's interest in the veteran quarterback.

This sound bite takes us back to January, specifically the Senior Bowl, where all the smoke started surroudning Stafford. The second I touched down in Mobile, AL for the Senior Bowl, my phone was already buzzing with these rumors.

The word: the 49ers are trying to get Matthew Stafford.

You can see my original article written while at the Senior Bowl detailing how the smoke was real.

We clearly didn't get Stafford and Kyle Shanahan moved up to the 3rd overall pick to select Trey Lance and the rest is history.

Why The 49ers Should Trade For Patriots WR N'Keal Harry

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 03:23:31 GMT

Untapped Potential.

The Question:

Should the 49ers trade for former 1st round draft pick N'Keal Harry?

My Answer:

Absolutely.

Here's Why:

Brotherhood.

Not every situation works out for each rookie when they are selected in the NFL Draft and that appears to be the case for wide-receiver N'Keal Harry, who has official requested a trade today via his agent.

Harry was once regarded as the best WR prospect coming out of the loaded 2019 class that featured receivers like AJ Brown, Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf, and Terry McLaurin, just to name a few. Harry wound up being the 2nd WR taken in the first round behind Hollywood Brown.

For me personally, I struggled with who would hold the crown on my WR rankings in 2019 because that class was so deep with talent. Deebo Samuel led my group for a good portion of the year but N'Keal overtook Deebo for #1 in my final ranking.

N'Keal's combination of size, speed, and ability was too much to pass up.

N'Keal wowed people with his skillset while playing at Arizona State University.

Over his three year career at ASU, Harry put up 2,889 receiving yards on 213 receptions, scoring 22 TDs. He also added another 3 TDs on the ground and one touchdown as a kick returner. He did all this with mediocre play at quarterback. He showcased a skillset that appeared to perfectly translate to todays NFL game.

He had the desirable size that NFL front offices look for in a WR1 at 6'4" 225 lbs.

On tape, N'Keal Harry looked like a bonafide WR1. Cleary that hasn't been the case, but at 23 years old, I think there is plenty of potential left in this dynamic WR and you can pinpoint a lot of issue to the mental aspect of things which is a positive, because it has nothing to do with his natural ability.

The situation seemingly was never great for Harry once he landed in Foxborough with the Patriots.

People tend to forget the context of certain situations and N'Keal found himself on the wrong side of that context. N'Keal never got the oppertunity to make a good first impression on the fan base because he was hurt three plays into his NFL debut in preseason.

This would eventually land the rookie wide-out on the injured reserve list to start his rookie year, missing training camp and the Preseason. That can be a very lonely place for a players mind, especially a rookie with the expectations of a 1st round pick in a loaded class.

N'Keal didn't make his regular season debut until October 11th but the rookie fell admittedly behind. He put up minimal production to round out his rookie season while the other rookie wide receivers took over the league and made waves, even broke records.

“I didn’t feel like I was playing catchup mentally as much, but definitely when I got out on the field it was just kind of hard to get in that groove because everybody else kind of got all of that out at the beginning of the season,” Harry said. “So for me, it was just a little bit harder to get going but that’s still no excuse.”

I see a player who got off on the wrong foot in an organization that demands a lof of it's players. Something that could be a major culture shock coming from ASU.

After his rookie campaign, things didn't get much better as a sophomore. Things weren't right with Harry mentally and Cam Newton even went on a podcast to speak to how N'Keal has been "battered" by the "Patriot Way".

I truly feel that a change of scenery for the former 1st round pick would lend itself to allow N'Keal to truly blossom.

I mentioned brotherhood in an earlier heading and I believe it is something that can help pull the best out of Harry. Not only would he play with former ASU teammate and friend Brandon Aiyuk, he would be reunited with Mohamed Sanu who played for the Patriots in 2019 during Harry's rookie year.

N'Keals familiarity with players on this team combined with a coast change, it could truly be a reawakening for the promising WR where he can start over.

Mental health has huge implications on these players performance and we could see a player suffering on the field because he is still suffering off of it. The 49ers have a stable locker room culture that can have a dramatic affect on a player who is struggling mentally, from all accounts.

I truly believe this team could unlock N'Keal Harry's potential.

Based on the current trajectory of N'Keal's career, this would likely lead to getting him for an extremely reasonable price in regards to trade compensation.

I don't see a scenario where Harry fetches any more than a 5th round pick. You could likely get the 3rd year WR for a late round pick swap, for example, 49ers trade a 2022 6th round pick for N'Keal Harry and a 2022 7th round pick from the Patriots.

At that cost, it's a no brainer.

The 49ers currently have Richie James and a cast of relatively unknown receivers mixed with veterans on the roster competing for the snaps at WR3.

This would translate to being a low pressure situation for Harry with Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel locking down the top two roles and would allow N'Keal to find his footing and not feel rushed to perform. Adding Harry to the 49ers WR room would be a low-risk, high-reward proposition that I feel the 49ers should pursue. He can come in and compete for the 6th/7th WR spot, depending on how many WRs the 49ers carry.

The 49ers would also get two more years of a rookie cost controlled contract from N'Keal with an available 5th-year option, if he does take off with the team. It makes sense from a roster construction standpoint, a financial standpoint, and could be had at an extreme value.

If Harry hits, Kyle and John look like geniuses and if he doesn't pan out, they move on without giving up much of anything and get patted on the back for taking a calculated risk.

Get N'Keal Harry on the 49ers before the start of training camp.

Watch: 49ers' Kyle Shanahan & Joe Staley Are Caught Having A Blast

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 03:11:51 GMT

You really love to see it.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

A wonderful video has surfaced this evening courtesy of @KCFreer/Twitter showing 49ers' Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and retired former 49ers' offensive lineman Joe Staley tossing a football from house to house. Clearly Shanahan hit his target as he let out an expletive laced shout in excitement.

It is assumed that this video was captured over the 4th of July weekend. This video has already stirred up fans with immense joy, watching their coach and arguably one of the most beloved 49ers players of all-time hanging together.

Joe Staley even commented on the video:

The video has hit over 5.1k likes on our Instagram page in the first 40 minutes.

Fans are loving it.

Fred Warner Engages In Contract Talks With 49ers

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 18:45:03 GMT

#PayFredWarner

What a great way to start off the weekend for the #Faithful.

According to my good friend Alex Tran of NinersNation.com, the 49ers have engaged in talks with the All-Pro linebacker. Alex reports from his sources that the goal for getting a deal completed is "before training camp" for both parties.

The captain of the 49ers defense is set to demand the richest contract in the NFL for a linebacker and will likely make history in the process with a record setting amount. Warner is the new prototypical-styled LB that the NFL has come to covet and will reshape the financial landscape for the next generation of linebackers.

I project Fred Warner to receive a 5-year $92 Million contract from the 49ers, earning All-Pro Fred an average of $18.4M/year.

49ers' Jimmie Ward Says No NFL Tight End Can Get Over 50 Yards On Him

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 19:11:02 GMT

Ward has put the entire league on notice.

Jimmie Ward has always been an outspoken player about his ability and rightfully so.

Ward has cemented himself as one of the top safeties in the league, however going unnoticed seemingly by the entire NFL. During a down year in 2020, Ward was one of the bright spots on the team and blossomed further into his role on the backend of the defense.

Ward took to Instagram and ranked NFL tight ends by what they could accomplish on him in man-to-man coverage. As you can see by his list below, he's shutting down the entire league and I believe him.

Clearly, Ward is ready to compete in 2021. Good call by Ward to pay respect the People's Tight End.

Ward wasn't done with just the top 10

Got your popcorn?

Jimmie Ward wants all this smoke this year.

One of the things I have come to admire about Jimmie Ward is his confidence. It's an angry type of confidence that does not come across as cocky at all.

After watching Jimmie Ward for years now, the man wants his flowers and I don't blame him. He's earned them on this team.

Ward has done something I am not sure I have seen in the NFL since I started covering it in 2010, surviving multiple coaching fires and GMs. That is something that is so immensely underrated about Ward. Speaks to the person he is as well as the player.

The man survived Trent Baalke, John Lynch, Chip Kelly, Jim Tomsula, and Kyle Shanahan and a bunch of different defensive coordinators and schemes and is still on the 49ers, making him the current longest tenured player on the team. This all plays into Ward's mentality on and off the field.

I think it's time to give this man his flowers.

49ers Drop Epic Throwback Jerseys

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 05:43:41 GMT

Jed York and the San Francisco 49ers treat fans with throwback jerseys before the 2021 season.

The 49ers held their annual State of the Franchise event tonight and they unveiled their new red '94 throwback jerseys. They unleashed tons of content upon the faithful, posting great videos and photos from their social media and app.

There were other announcements as well, however the uniform reveal is what ruled the night.

The 49ers dropped some fire photographs of some of the boys rocking the new threads including 49ers legend Jerry Rice.

Jersey Schedule:

The team also announced which dates fans will be able to see the 49ers in their new gear.

They will have 4 opportunities to show off the new threads and a lot of those opportunities come on primetime. They will also wear the all-white throwbacks twice this season.

It was a fun night in the middle of what has proven to be a long offseason. What's clear is that fans are excited to get this season going and so am I.

New 49ers Jersey Leaked On Website Early

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 17:46:32 GMT

The surprise has been spoiled!

Looks like the team got a bit excited by adding the new jerseys set to be released tonight to their online store.

The jersey was spotted by 49ers' fan @ahernandez7880 on twitter and picked up by Alex Tran of NinersNation.

Fans will still be excited to order the new jerseys, these ones were just hard to keep a secret. The State of the Franchise event will be tonight where the official announcement will happen.

New Throwback Jerseys Coming For The 49ers?

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 01:45:13 GMT

The State of the Franchise event will apparently have some surprises for 49ers' fans.

There have been rumors swirling for some time that there is a possibility of a special jersey release tomorrow night during the State of the Franchise event.

This event is typically a fan-centric event centered around providing high-level updates regarding the teams on and off field progress.

This event is a great time as the 49ers bring out players and special guests and provide an inside look at the future of the franchise.

in 2018, the 49ers release the all-white '94 Niners throwbacks with an electric event. They even brought out Jerry Rice to showcase the teams new gear.

Below is a video that the 49ers surprised fans with when they announced the throwback jerseys.

Fans will be looking forward to tomorrows event to see what the team has in store.

The word on the streets is that a red throwback jersey could be headed our way, like the one you can see below.

Take a look back at the 2018 jersey release highlights:

Watch: Rookie RB Trey Sermon Shows Off Skillset During Workout

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 16:35:16 GMT

Trey Sermon is big and fast.

49ers' fans finally get to see a little more of rookie running back Trey Sermon. The 3rd round draft pick has been fairly reserved on social media since being selected by the 49ers out of Ohio State.

Although this above video is short, we do get to see what the combination of size and speed looks like that Sermon possesses.

At 6'0" 215 lbs, you can get an idea of the suddenness he as and ability to break off a route. Sermon might not have the straight line speed that most 'Shanahan RBs' typically possess but that doesn't mean Kyle can't utilize Sermon's skillset to benefit the offense. Sermon clocked at a 4.58 40 time which isn't great from a RBs perspective, but Sermon was hurt for a majority of the offseason so who knows how that may have affected his testing.

I feel that Sermon has the look of a downhill bruiser but the young RB will be implemented in the passing game, unlike typical 'Kyle Shanahan backs'.

Trey Sermon fits the mold of 'do it all' type of back that Shanahan hasn't really had since taking over in 2017 and really signals a shift in player archetype for Kyle, where a player like Elijah Mitchell fits the mold of what we have come to expect in a 'Shanahan RB'.

Raheem Mostert recently talked about the rookie RBs via a radio show per Pro Football Talk.

Mostert talk about how the young rookies are "learning under" Raheem which is a good sign for the young backs. Raheem Mostert is a grizzled veteran at this stage of his career, heading into the final year of his 30's.

With Mostert capable of hitting a home run with any handoff he gets, it will be a great change of pace to get the powerful back in Sermon on the field.

Raheem is running at 5.6 yards a carry over his career which is a very strong average. Combine that with Sermon who averaged 6.5 yards a carry over his career and 7.5 yards a carry after transferring from Oklahoma to Ohio State, the 49ers seems primed to have a potent rushing attack in 2021.

George Kittle Adds Another Arm Tattoo To The Collection

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 00:32:08 GMT

It's Godzilla!

The People's Tight End adds some new ink to his right arm courtesy of @JeezyTattoos on Instagram.

You may be familiar with his existing tattoos, the Master Chief from the Halo video game and the Joker from the Batman film on each one of his forearms. now they have some company with Godzilla being added to the collection.

A perfect time to get some new ink prior to training camp at the end of July.

New Front Office Hire For The 49ers

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 21:13:42 GMT

The team adds a heavy hitter to the staff.

It appears the 49ers made a strong move to snag the New York Giants VP of Communications, Corry Rush.

Rush has been working in the NFL since 2005 when he broke into the league with the Tennessee Titans working in Media Relations. After a two year stint with the Titans, Rush moved onto a job with the NFL for 7 years.

Rush found himself back on the team side of the tracks when he began working for the NY Giants as Director of Public Relations in 2014. Corry was promoted two years into the job and became the Vice President of Communications for the New York Giants.

The report states that Rush is heading to the 49ers in a bigger role so maybe a president title is headed for the new media wiz.

It appears that Rush was well respected by the NY Media. An example shown above by a beat reporter for the Giants over the last 23 years shows the respect the media had for Rush.

We have heard that the NY media could be an aggressive bunch so it's great to see that Rush is leaving on good terms and is clearly respected by his peers, from first glance of this news dropping.

I will follow up once his official role is released.

Get to know the newest Niner a little better:

49ers' Media Day Photo's Are Fire

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 01:33:49 GMT

The whole squad looks lit.

The 49ers' have released some photos from their media day from a few weeks back. If you would like to find these images, you can find them on the 49ers website or app.

It is exciting times for fans of the 49ers as their team heads towards a season with high aspirations. If this team can stay healthy, they have an opportunity to go far into the playoffs.

Jason Verrett Wants To See A Former Charger Join the 49ers

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 21:16:21 GMT

Is Verrett out here recruiting?

San Francisco starting cornerback Jason Verrett took to twitter today to put in a good word for free agent defensive end Melvin Ingram.

Ingram is currently a free agent after playing his entire 9 year career with the San Diego/Los Angles Chargers. Melvin was one of the best edge defenders during the prime of his career and would likely be a welcomed piece to the locker room at the right price.

Ingram has put up 49 sacks over his career and has been a very productive player as a 3x Pro Bowler. Notching 111 game under his belt, he would also be a great veteran presence to add to the group.

You can see that Ingram didn't contribute much to the Chargers in 2020 after only playing in 7 games and recording 10 total tackles. Ingram found himself on IR after week 11 with a knee injury. The lack of production combined with age and cost is likely why he is still available.

With the status of Dee Ford a bit up in the air and DE Jordan Willis getting suspended for the first 6-games of the year, I could definitely see the 49ers add more depth at the edges via free agency.

Ingram is a natural LEO but could also play the Big End role in the 49ers' wide-9 scheme. He brings versatility with him by being able to kick down to the 3-Technique and play over the guards. He could be a great addition to spell Bosa or Sosa in the rotation and I player I would personally prefer over guys like Dion Jordan and Ezekiel Ansah.

The 49ers will indeed need to see contributions from the depth of this defensive line in 2021, as this has historically been the case.

Ingram could be a nice piece to add heading into camp.

49ers' Rookie RB Trey Sermon Is Looking Sharp In Photoshoot

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 03:32:40 GMT

#28 looks good on the rook!

49ers' 3rd round running back Trey Sermon showed off how he looks in #28 for Panini trading cards photographers. (Video via Matt Zobel)

He also gave us a little hurdle in the video above which is a move that he became famous for while playing at Ohio State. The 22 year old will likely see snaps early as a key piece of the Kyle Shanahan backfield.

In the game against Northwestern, Sermon put up 331 rushing yard on 29 carries while adding 2 touchdowns to lead the Buckeye to a Big Ten Championship title.

Watch: Does Tom Brady Take A Shot At The 49ers & Jimmy Garoppolo In Interview?

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 17:24:09 GMT

It sure sounds like Brady took a shot at the 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo.

In a promotional video for an HBO show called "The Shop", Tom Brady appears to take a shot at the 49ers and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

In the video you see Brady talking about his time in free agency when he was looking for a new team. There was no surprise that Tom Brady's top preferred destination was the 49ers.

Tom Brady eventually wound up signing with the Tampa Bay Bucs and ed his new franchise to a Super Bowl victory in 2020, something Brady wanted to accomplish with his child hood team.

In an article from Bleacher Report, Brady had made it clear that the 49ers were his top destination in free agency but the 49ers already had a QB on the roster that had just led the team to a Super Bowl.

Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch opted to stick with Garoppolo over the legendary quarterback.

From B/R Article:

Brady had something to prove in 2020 and led his new team to a Super Bowl victory, something that he wanted to do with the 49ers.

Also, from everything I've ever heard about the relationship between Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo, it never sounded like it was a true friendship. Tom Brady is a competitor and I believe he viewed Jimmy as a threat to his job security.

The quote above came from an article about Jimmy Garoppolo where he spoke about his time with Tom Brady.

It appears some of those politics are still alive and well today.

Watch: 49ers' Trey Lance Makes Deep Ball Look Effortless

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 18:48:13 GMT

Sometimes it brings a tear to your eye.

So far we've gotten to see 4 consecutive days of offseason workout videos from Trey Lance and this throw is by far the deepest.

Some insight on the technical aspects of the throw, the hitch-dip appears to be cleared up completely. This shows a lot in regards to Lance's ability to attack coaching critiques and fixing them. Being coachable is an extremely valuable attribute in a player but so is being able to correct the issue at hand.

49ers' fans will continue to get excited by the day, seeing what their future holds with Trey Lance under center for the San Francisco 49ers.

Watch: 49ers' Trey Lance Continues To Showcase Ability In Offseason Workouts

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 15:15:42 GMT

Trey Lance looks ready and has retooled his throwing motion.

Trey Lance continues his 2021 grind tour as more workout videos surface during his time in Atlanta, Georgia. (Via Coach McEvoy)

You can already tell that his offseason work is progressing well, specifically in regards to his throwing mechanics. Trey had a tendency to have a bit of a bounce coming out of his hitch in videos clips shown pre-draft, which would translate into wasted motion.

Fast forward to now, Trey is already making huge strides in making his motion more efficient. I have confirmed with Trey's offseason QB trainer that this indeed the case. The goal is to get Trey throwing on rhythm - allowing him to throw much quicker and with more efficient motions.

Removing this "bounce" appears to already be streamlining his throwing motion that was already pretty to begin with.

If you look back at previous pre-draft clips of him preparing for the draft like the one below, you will be able to identify the correction.

You can see that he rises out of his hitch. Now, they have focused on removing that additional motion and reducing the time it takes to prepare his throwing motion. Going from having a bounce out of his play-action motion to flat.

This is a great development as it will cut down crucial time off his throwing motion and allow him to deliver the ball quicker to his receivers.

This is an exciting development for 49ers fans as Trey Lance is showing signs of getting better in real time.

It may be time for Jimmy Garoppolo to break his social media silence and begin his own hype tour that the rookie is already mastering.

In today's age, people have a tendency to root for what they can see and right now, they see Trey Lance.

49ers' Javon Kinlaw Went From Growing Up Homeless To Being A Homeowner

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 23:52:26 GMT

Hard not to get a tear in your eye from these kinds of success stories.

Javon Kinlaw's story has been well documented as he is known for growing up through immense struggle and being homeless.

It is a particularly special day as Kinlaw posted on Instagram, he has purchased his first home for him and his daughter.

A great story for a young player about to take the next step in his NFL career.

49ers' Trey Lance Continues To Work During The Offseason

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 19:55:19 GMT

The new kid on the block continues to show off his work ethic ahead of training camp.

This is the 2nd day in a row that training videos have surfaced of the 49ers number three overall pick.

Trey Lance is working with his QB coach in Atlanta who helped prep Trey for his time in the NFL once Lance concluded his career at North Dakota State. The video was from receivers coach @CoachBrown_MDN (IG) where it appears the crew linked up for a solid offseason workout.

If there is anything we know heading into our fourth year covering the 49ers, fans enjoy seeing workout videos during the offseason and Jimmy Garoppolo has historically not posted workout videos during this time.

Why the significance? In a year where Jimmy needs as many supporters as possible, this may be the time to start posting training videos to social media because fans will be clamoring for Trey Lance sooner rather than later and he could use all the rope he can get.

Look for this to be a legitimate battle for 49ers' QB1 come training camp.

Veteran WR Pokes Fun At 49ers' Rookie Trey Lance

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 23:31:17 GMT

The rookie and vet already getting along.

Here's another video that came from todays workout between 49ers' rookie QB Trey Lance and WR Mohamed Sanu.

The veteran WR pokes fun at the rookie pulling up in what is likely a rental car, is nothing more than some good fun between the veteran and rookie.

Just another sign of this teams great chemistry.

49ers' Rookie QB Trey Lance Already Building Chemistry With Veteran WR

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 17:52:24 GMT

File this under "things you love to see".

With the 49ers' offseason program wrapped up for the year, players now have 30+ days to stay in-shape prior to the start of mandatory Training Camp.

The rookie QB has wasted no time as he is currently in Atlanta working with veteran WR Mohamed Sanu. Trey Lance's QB coaches are gearing up for a big QB camp in Atlanta so I would assume Trey is there to be apart of that. Sanu was a long-time Atlanta Falcon that is likely where Sanu calls his home in the offseason.

Chemistry in the NFL is extremely important and you love seeing the young signal caller and veteran WR link up this earlier in the offseason to get some work in.

Former 49ers' QB Nick Mullens Signs With New Team

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 18:13:14 GMT

Slick Nick finds himself on the East Coast to start the 2021 season.

Nick Mullens heads East and will now play for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Looking back, Mullens started 16 games for the 49ers as a player who entered the league as an undrafted free agent from Southern Mississippi.

Nick Mullens may have had an up and down tenure with the San Francisco 49ers but he was able to produce some solid numbers and some very memorable moments.

One of my favorite moments was the first time Nick ever started a football game for the 49ers.

It was a game that had massive implications all though the 49ers record at the time would disagree. This was the final Battle of the Bay between the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, one of the greatest turf rivalries in sports history.

In the Bay we move a little different so when these two teams squared off, it meant ownership and bragging rights of the final Battle of the Bay.

Thanks to Nick Mullens that beautiful Thursday night, the 49ers became Bay Champions forever, beating the Derek Carr led Raiders 34-3 with an electric performance at Levi's stadium.

He also was verified on twitter mid-game.

Even though Nick Mullens didn't win very many games as the starter for the 49ers throughout his career, he provided some great moments.

Mullens is only 26 years old and has plenty of time to gain more seasoning in the league.

At this rate, QBs are still playing at peak levels into mid-to-late 30's. Mullens will likely be a career backup but has the experience already to be able to be effective in spots and potentially grow into a starter later on down the road.

The 49ers have 4 QBs currently on the roster and both QBs brought in from 2017 are out in former 3rd round draft pick C.J. Beathard and now undrafted free agent signing Nick Mullens.

49ers Waived OL Justin Skule, Sign Another OL

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 19:11:38 GMT

Roster moves for the 49ers:

An unfortunate series of events have occurred as the 49ers were forced to move on from former 6th round draft pick OL Justin Skule who tore his ACL earlier this week.

If Skule clears waivers, he will revert back to the 49ers where the team will either stash him on injured reserve or be forced to release him.

This is likely a move to clear some money/roster space for the new offensive lineman the 49ers signed today.

The 49ers quickly found another depth piece in journeyman OL Senio Kelemete.

Kelemete was a 5th round draft pick for the Arizona Cardinals in 2012 out of the University of Washington. The offensive lineman has seen game action in 88 games -- starting 42 of them.

He played last season with the Texans, making 5 starts before being released in February.

Kelemete is likely nothing more than a camp body. I have a hard time envisioning Senio challenge for a roster spot when it comes to making the final 53 man roster.

Former 49ers QB Jeff Garcia Has A Fiery Message For Jimmy Garoppolo

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 17:41:48 GMT

You'll be able to run through a brick wall after listening to this message from former Pro Bowl QB Jeff Garcia.

Before the draft, I had the opportunity to interview former 49ers' legend Jeff Garcia and he gave great insight into the quarterback position for the 49ers.

He gave us great sound bites but one of the best to come from the interview was his message to Jimmy Garoppolo. I had asked the former signal caller what Jimmy's mentality should be going into this year, knowing the 49ers invested a ton to move up and select Trey Lance.

His answer did now disappoint.

As a veteran who had been in similar situations during Garcia's own playing career, he was able to share his experience and mindset of how to attack this offseason in regards to Jimmy Garoppolo.

49ers Fined For Viral Video Of Rookie CB

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 22:44:27 GMT

The team has been penalized for a video that a rookie cornerback posted to social media.

Today the 49ers were stripped of one week of rookie development that is allotted to NFL teams per NFL rules. The video was originally posted by rookie CB Deommodore Lenior on his Instagram story.

Naturally, I reposted the video to our network and it went viral.

The rookie deleted the video within minutes after posting but not before it was already picked up by other accounts.

The team will lose a week of their rookie development program due to impermissible contact on the play.

It appears to be a ticky-tack violation but it could be more about sending a message after the practice video went viral. Our tweet was retweeted by Deion Sanders and reposted by SportCenter and viewed over 1 million times.

Prime took notice.

Although the 49ers lose out on a week of rookie development, it might not be too bad of a situation considering the wave of injuries that has hit the team recently.

It appears that we wont see the 49ers on the field until training camp begins.

49ers Press Conference: Kyle Shanahan Cancels Mandatory Mini-Camp, Discusses Injuries, Plus More.

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 21:45:18 GMT

Kyle Shanahan took to the podium to address some of the recent injury concerns.

One of the topics on everyones mind prior to the beginning of this press conference was the conversation surrounding injuries that seem to continue to plague this team since Kyle Shanhan and Co. have taken over.

Kyle went on to discuss the succession of events that occurred on Monday that led to Justin Skule tearing his ACL and Tarvarius Moore tearing his Achilles.

As a result of the attendance at OTAs and based on the current state of the team, Shanahan felt it was necessary to cancel mandatory mini-camp that was slated to start next week.

The 49ers aren't the only team to have announced they have cancelled mandatory mini-camp as the Texans were one of the other teams to not partake.

Kyle provided some comments on how he perceives these injuries and how this team goes about practice.

Kyle provided some updates on some injured stars that we haven't seen in practice yet, Nick Bosa and Dee Ford.

Kyle Shanahan and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniels had some great things to say about rookie defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.

If you'd like to rewatch the entire press conference, you can find it here:

Source: 49ers OL Justin Skule Has Torn ACL

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 11:58:34 GMT

And just like that, the 49ers have suffered two major injuries from OTAs.

A source has confirmed that Justin Skule has indeed tore his ACL which was first reported by 49ers.focus on Instagram.

This is now the 2nd injury to come out of the teams organized team activities with one week remaining of practices. RB Jeff Wilson recently suffered a torn meniscus and now the 24 year old tackle has suffered a torn ACL and will likely miss the entirety of the 2021 NFL season.

Skule has started 12 games over his first two season and has been a valuable depth piece since being drafted out of Vanderbilt in 2019. This injury will put added pressure on the rookie OL draft selections Aaron Banks and Jaylon Moore to fill a more immediate depth role.

Unfortunate news early out of the 49ers practice facilities but hopefully this is a trend the team can curve early this season.

49ers' Jason Verrett Shows Off New Number & Insane Swag

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 03:57:56 GMT

His swag is NEXT LEVEL!

How would you rate Jason Verrett's swag and new number?

Patrick Willis Has Funny Practice Story About Frank Gore

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 17:52:52 GMT

Some awesome insight on how Frank Gore was in practice.

Patrick Willis is a living legend among 49ers' fans so whenever legends like Pat open up with behind the scenes stories, fans get pretty excited and this is a good one.

Willis talked about how no one in 49ers practice could touch Frank Fore but Frank would bring the punishment to the young LBs.

Clearly the coaching staff didn't want to risk any injury for Gore but that didn't stop Gore from playing at the only speed he knows how to operate - full speed.

49ers Add Veteran Safety Depth

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 16:46:35 GMT

Reinforcements are heading to the 49ers' secondary.

The 49ers get into the Monday morning news cycle early by adding veteran safety Tony Jefferson. The veteran safety has had a successful career for the most part, playing with the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens.

However, in 2019 the safety tore his ACL against the Steelers and hasn't made his way back on the field since.

The 29 year old will look to compete for a key depth role and potentially the starting safety position across from Jimmie Ward.

Jefferson's career stats:

It will be interesting to find out if Jefferson is simply a camp body or someone who can seriously compete for a final spot on the final 53 man roster.

We haven't seen Jefferson play since October of 2019 so it could really go either way. With young talent trying to secure a future role with the team at the safety position (Marcell Harris, Tarvarius Moore, Jared Mayden, etc.) it will be interesting to see if Jefferson can carve out a role on this defense.

Kyle Shanahan Speaks On Julio Jones Trade & Fires Up Nascar Racers

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 23:43:01 GMT

Kyle Shanahan visits Sanoma Raceway and gives multiple sound bites.

Unfortunately Kyle Shanahan wasn't able to wrangle Julio Jones away from the Falcons, rather Julio was traded to the Tennessee Titans.

Jones was traded out of the NFC but the 49ers will square off against the Titans on Thursday Night Football towards the end of the year. The 49ers will have to travel on a short week to see arguably the best WR duo in the league that now shows AJ Brown and Julio Jones.

Kyle Shanahan & Co. will have their hands full in Tennessee.

The real reason Kyle Shanahan was on hand to give these awesome sound bites, he was in attendance as the races Grand Marshall.

We'll be looking forward to coach getting the players hyped as we inch closer to training camp.

Do The 49ers Fit Julio Jones QB Checklist?

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 23:43:32 GMT

The superstar wide-receiver reportedly has some requirments from his potential new team.

If you swiped right on the instagram post above, you can see that the 49ers have a "big-armed QB that can deliver the deep ball" as Julio Jones suggests, on this roster.

However, we don't know if Trey Lance will start in 2021 as the 21 year old signal caller hasn't played a real football game since 2019.

Right now it appears Jimmy Garoppolo is headed towards a week one start as it stands today. It's seems pretty clear that there will be a strong competition at the QB position between the rookie and veteran once training camp is underway. I believe this year more than ever for the 49ers, preseason performances matter at the QB position.

Although this report from Julio Jones seems very specific in what Julio requires in order to facilitate a trade, there are so many differentiating factors that go into how a trade is facilitated that I can't imagine this being much of a factor when the smoke clears.

I would assume the superstar wants to go a to a team that he is familiar with in regards to system and staff. An offense that he knows he can be successful in. A squad assembled with great depth on both sides of the football with veteran leadership that is built to go far into the playoffs.

Kind of sounds like the 49ers doesn't it?

Julio Jones has had some of his best years of production under Kyle Shanahan's coaching. In fact, he has put up absolutely massive numbers while working in Kyle's offense.

I believe that the 49ers are at the top of Julio Jones' list but that much more will need to go into the trade for him to land at his top destination. There are multiple levels that need to come together in a trade, such as compensation and salary breakdowns/payouts/cap hit.

That will likely be the ultimate deciding factors in Julio Jones being traded away from the Falcons, especially to an NFC team like the 49ers. There is no real timeline on this situation. June 1st was the activator in regards to making Jones available but this situation could play out all the way into training camp.

It will be a very interesting situation to monitor for the next couple weeks.

First Time Seeing Trey Lance In A 49ers Jersey

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 02:05:12 GMT

#5 looks good on the kid.

As the San Francisco 49ers media team wraps up media week, we were able to get the first look at the 49ers 3rd overall pick from the NFL Draft. Trey Lance was posted to the 49ers Instagram story wearing his number 5 jersey.

This is also one of the first times we get to see the newly minted 75th anniversary diamond patch on the teams jerseys.

Fans will be able to see Trey Lance and the rest of the 49ers roster August 14th as they square off against the Kansas City Chiefs in preseason week 1. This will be the first time fans have a chance to be in attendance to take in a 49ers game since the 2019 NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers.

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Sights & Sounds of OTAs (6/2)

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 00:54:45 GMT

Football is in the air.

Media was back at 49ers' practice and there was some awesome sights and sounds that came away from practice.

Jason Verrett ready to take sole ownership of the CB1 role during his 2nd year with the 49ers. The new number looks cold as well.

Former first time assistant coach turned defensive coordinator spoke to the media and provide some insight for what he envisions his defense looks like.

The main topic of discussion for the remainder of the offseason will likely revolve around the QB room. All eyes will be on Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance.

From everything we have seen and heard, Garoppolo won't go down without a fight.

Training Camp Nears

There may not be very many opportunities to see these players before mandatory mini-camp begins in a few weeks.

It's hard to take much away from the media availabilities as the practices as more of a walk-through style. It will start to get interesting once the squad pulls the pads out and contact picks back up.

49ers' Starting Safety Reveals New Number

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 00:28:58 GMT

Jimmie Ward has ditched number 20.

The 49ers most tenured player has changed his number from #20 to #1 after posting his new jersey to his Instagam story.

This is actually not first time the safety has changed his number. When the 49ers signed Richard Sherman during free agency, Ward gave up the number 25 that Sherman made famous up in Seattle, subsequently switching to number 20.

Ward may be the only safety in the league to wear #1 as he takes advantage of the change to the jersey restrictions lifted by the NFL. Most of the starting DBs have switched to single-digit numbers.

Sights & Sounds From 49ers OTAs, Richburg Retires, Wilson Out & More

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 26 May 2021 04:23:31 GMT

Here is a recap of some of the events from todays OTAs and press conferences.

Here we get to see all the QBs that the 49ers have rostered:

Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance, Josh Rosen, Josh Johnson, Nate Sudfeld.

More of Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance:

Observations From Today

Photo via 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo:

Today we didn't see a bunch of Jimmy Garoppolo on the field however we did get a healthy dose of Jimmy Garoppolo the person.

The 49ers made the teams QB available to the media for the first time since selecting Trey Lance in the NFL Draft. One of the big questions surrounding the offseason move for the 49ers was how Jimmy Garoppolo would handle having his future replacement in the building and we got to see that first hand today as he was peppered with questions about Trey Lance.

As we got to see today, at least from an outside perspective, it appears that the presence of Trey Lance has energized Jimmy a bit, in a good way.

This is something that is hard to quantify but it is something you can pick up over time when you watch these players hold press conference after press conference for years.

Jimmy has a tendency to have a nervous energy when discussing with the media. Didn't see much of that today. In fact, he looked as ready as ever to speak and answer the questions thrown his way.

Even his introduction of George Kittle today was like I have never seen from Jimmy:

Weston Richburg Retires

Kyle Shanahan had informed us today that Weston Richburg has officially retired.

This news was to be somewhat expected after Richburg did not return to action at all in 2020. Richburg had been a big part in the 49ers success during the 2019 season but unfortunately injuries will cut his career short. Weston retires at the age of 29.

The 49ers have likely known this for some time as they have prepared for his departure accordingly by bringing in Alex Mack in free agency.

Jeff Wilson Jr. Out 4-6 Months

The first injury of the year has hit and it comes at the cost of the 49ers' 2nd string running back, Jeff Wilson.

Jeff Wilson Jr. was slated to mix in with rookies Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell but likely to hold his place on the depth chart behind Mostert. Now, his injury will likely have him missing time into the season based on the timetable and could open the door for another RB to step into his place. Hopefully Wilson can recover and be back on the field to regain his place on the depth chart.

The 49ers go into camp with Mostert, Gallman, Sermon, Mitchell, and Hasty as the teams healthy running backs.

Live reaction to finding out Jeff Wilson was hurt + OTA Thoughts:

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List Of 49ers' Players Not Participating In Todays OTAs

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 25 May 2021 19:45:06 GMT

See who isn't in participating on day 2 of OTAs

Considering that OTAs are voluntary, this is a good turnout for day two.

*Dee Ford is also not participating.

More updates to follow.

Kyle Shanahan Odds For Coach of the Year

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:56:18 GMT

Shanahan looking to snag the award that he missed out on in 2019.

Kyle Shanahan heads into the 2021 season tied as the betting favorite to be the NFL Coach of the Year, via PFF.

Many fans felt that Shanahan should have took home the award in 2019 after he led the 49ers to a 13-3 record after two dismal years to start his tenure with team. The Niners had the 2nd-best scoring offense in the league, scoring at a clip of 29.9 points a game. They also had a top notch defensive unit led by Robert Saleh that only allowed 19.4 points a game, landing them 8th overall in scoring allowed. Yet, the coach that led the 49ers to a 13-3 record was snubbed for the award by many's opinion.

This season, the Kyle Shanahan has re-loaded the offensive line by making Trent Williams the highest-paid tackle in NFL history along with bringing in veteran All-Pro center Alex Mack. The team also added via the draft spending a high pick on G Aaron Banks out of Notre Dame.

Kyle is known for running the football as he accumulated over 2,300 rushing yards in 2019. Another room aided by the draft, Mostert, Wilson, Hasty, and Gallman are now joined by Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell.

If the 49ers can get back to their brand of football, which is running the ball and predicating the pass game off of play-action, there is no reason why the 49ers offense can't be the leagues best offensive unit, with either Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance running the show.

The defensive side of the ball has also been reloaded even though the group lost it's leader in Robert Saleh to the New York Jets head coaching job. Fear not, DeMeco Ryans steps in to continue the plan left by Saleh. Ryans was a formidable linebacker during his playing days and will bring that same energy he played with on Sunday's to this group.

Health is the name of the game for this unit. If they can stay healthy, the sky is the limit. Nick Bosa and Dee Ford will be returning from injuries that kept them out of most of the 2020 season. Javon Kinlaw looks primed to take the next step in his development and with the additions of Samson Ebukam and Zack Kerr via free agency, the defensive line looks to get back to their 2019 ways.

All the DB's have returned to the roster with the exception of Richard Sherman, who has told me there is a still a path available for a return to the 49ers in 2021. This group will look to lockdown opposing offenses like we saw from the unit in 2019.

All-Pro Fred Warner leads a great linebacker group who is primed to take the next step forward with young LB's like Greenlaw and Al-Shaair.

Kyle Shanahan has every oppertunity to take home the Coach of the Year award, even if a rookie QB were to be running his offense in 2021.

It's clear that Shanahan is one of the great offensive minds that this league has ever seen. He now has an oppertunity to show the rest of the league why he's the best head coach in the NFL.

#IKWT

49ers Almost At Full Participation For Voluntary Workouts

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 17 May 2021 21:46:23 GMT

The 49ers get a jump on the 2021 season.

This is great news for fans of the 49ers as there has been plenty of offseason noise surrounding NFL players wanting to get rid of voluntary workouts and OTA's, as pushed by the NFLPA.

With the boys descending on upon Santa Clara from various locations across the country, fans of the 49ers should be pleased to see these attendance numbers. These workouts are technically voluntary but it means a lot when team leaders and veterans show up for work when they "technically" don't need to.

A great first step in this marathon we call the 2021 season.

Here are some of the sights and sounds from day 1 of voluntary participation:

Former 49ers WR Trent Taylor Signs With Bengals

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 17 May 2021 16:47:09 GMT

Trent Taylor appears to be headed for Cincinnati, per his Instagram.

Trent Taylor once showed promise as being a serious threat from the slot position before injuries seemingly derailed his rise to the starting lining up.

During the 2019 offseason, all reports that came out of camp would indicate that Trent Taylor was having an amazing offseason, even getting MVP talk of the entire camp based on his performance but was never able to see the field in 2019.

Unfortunately, Taylor broke his foot towards the end of camp and dealt with complications throughout the year, needing multiple surgeries.

Trent Taylor burst onto the scene in 2017 as a rookie when he was instrumental in the 5 game winning streak the 49ers saw to end their season. Jimmy Garoppolo would find Trent early and often and led many to believe this was just the beginning of a blossoming career.

Unfortunately, injuries seem to have been the nail in the coffin for Trent Taylor and his future with the 49ers.

Trent Taylor indicated to me a couple months back that he would not be returning to the 49ers but made it very clear that he had the upmost respect for John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan and was not leaving on bitter terms.

Trent went on to say that he had "mad respect for those guys" when talking about Kyle and John.

Who knows, maybe there is a path where we see Trent Taylor around the 49ers again sometime in the future. But until then, we wish him nothing but the best as he moves on to a new team and a new city.

Meet the Rookies!

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 13 May 2021 21:39:26 GMT

Our first look at the 2021 rookie class!

With rookie mini-camp right around the corner, 49ers' fans got their first look at the rookies selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Get to know the rookies here:

1.3 - Trey Lance

2.48 - Aaron Banks

3.88 - Trey Sermon

3.102 - Ambry Thomas

5.155 - Jaylon Moore

5.172 - Deommodore Lenior

5.180 - Talanoa Hufanga

6.194 - Elijah Mitchell

The 49ers have not made UDFA interviews available.

Biggest Takeaways From 49ers' Schedule Release

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 13 May 2021 19:34:00 GMT

The schedule is here and I take a look at some of my biggest observations from release day.

One of the best days of the offseason amongst fans and NFL teams is the schedule release day.

This is the first opportunity for fans and players to see the schedule and begin dreaming of what the upcoming season may hold for their teams. It is also a great opportunity for us to analyze and begin to shape what the 2021 season could look like.

In this article, I will discuss everything that jumped out to me on the schedule.

Early Bye Week

One of the very first things that I look for when the schedule is released, is the bye week.

The 49ers have a somewhat early bye in a year where we will see our first 18-week NFL season with 17 total games played. With this addition, the placement of the bye week in the schedule could be more important than ever.

When I was discussing my initial reaction to the schedule on Instagram Live, 49ers starting running back Raheem Mostert dropped in to provide a little insight on the schedule. I referenced the 2019 schedule and how the team had an early bye that season (week 4) and Mostert mentioned how that bye week timing wasn't ideal. However, when I asked him about his thoughts on the week 6 bye for the 49ers, he responded by saying "week 6 is perfect".

If Raheem The Dream is ok with the timing of this year's bye, then so am I.

NFC WEST

I have been personally hyper-focused on the NFC West division when it comes to looking at opponents and will dive into why the path to the NFC Championship goes through the NFC West.

First thing I looked at in regards to the NFC West match-ups on the schedule was the spacing of the division rivalries. The 49ers will see the Seahawks and Cardinals weeks 4 & 5 in back-to-back matchups but won't face-off again until week 9 where there is another set of back-to-back division games. The 49ers will play the Cardinals, then Rams in weeks 9 & 10.

After that, the 49ers don't have another division opponent until they travel up to Seattle on week 13 and then will finish the season with a division opponent in the Rams.

Spacing amongst division opponents may seem like a minimal factor but I feel it plays a role in the 49ers winning the division.

Toughest Games

Week 3 vs Green Bay Packers:

This game has an asterisk until we know if Aaron Rodgers will actually be the Packers starting quarterback for week 3 or not. If he is, this will of course be a tough matchup to open the 2021 season at home but if the superstar QB is nowhere to be found on the Packers roster, this could turn into a very manageable game.

Week 7 vs Indianapolis Colts:

This selection may be a surprise to some but I believe this will be one of the harder matchups that the 49ers see in 2021.

Carson Wentz is reunited with his former offensive coordinator from Philly when Wentz was playing at a MVP level. The OC is now the Head Coach and they have a sneaky good offense with weapons such as Jonathan Taylor, TY Hilton, Michael Pittman, and a great OL. Not to mention, their defense is anchored by former Niner DL DeForest Buckner who leads a stout defensive unit.

This is also a primetime game where anything can happen. I expect the Colts to put up a fight.

Week 13 vs Seattle Seahawks:

Anytime the 49ers travel up to enemy territory they will find themselves in a dog fight as long as Russell Wilson is playing quarterback for the Seahawks.

This will be a big primetime game late in the season that will have massive playoff implications. While the Seahawks have been retooling their offense this offseason, they still implore pieces like DK Metcalf and Chris Carson who will be tough to slow down. I believe it will take everything the 49ers have to come out of Seattle with a win.

Week 14 vs Cincinnati Bengals:

IT'S A TRAP!

This is my trap game for the 2021 season schedule. There will always be multiple trap games a year that your team loses that they seemingly should have won on paper. After having to play up North in Seattle then travel to Cinici for a 10am early game, this has all the makings of a trap game.

While the Bengals may be a young team, they have tons of young weapons across the board and could have one of the most improved offenses in the entire NFL in 2021. If the 49ers are playing good football and have a winning record at this point, even lesser teams will play their best ball against the 49ers.

Week 16 vs Tennessee Titans:

Arguably the most daunting game on the schedule, the 49ers have to travel on a short week to play a highly anticipated Thursday Night football game that will likely have the playoffs on the line for both teams.

The Titans are firmly planted in the Super Bowl conversation amongst AFC teams. They are a well-rounded team who are built similarly to the 49ers in regards to how they attack other teams. The 49ers will have to bring their own juice with them to get up on a short week that includes travel halfway across the country.

Week 18 vs Los Angeles Rams:

The final game of the 2021 season appears to be a good one. The 49ers head down south to LA for a game that could have huge division implications at hand.

Considering it is the last game of the year, there will likely be playoff seeding implications and could even be the difference maker of one of these teams making the playoffs or not.

Division rivalries are always a fight so this will be a great one to cap off the 2021 season.

First Look At The 2021 49ers' Draft Class

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 05 May 2021 18:59:36 GMT

The 49ers have set themselves up for success now, and for the future.

The Faithful had a lot of questions going into the 2021 NFL Draft but the main topic of discussion, who were the 49ers going to take number three overall?

When the 49ers made the trade to move up to #3, a firestorm followed of who the potential QB would be that Kyle Shanahan would hitch his wagon to that will wind up defining the young coaches career.

Being on the frontlines with the Faithful, we understood how stressful it was at times when we were constantly told by the most credible of sources that Mac Jones was a "lock" to be the pick for over a month. The Faithful stood up and let their voices heard and the rally cry was #AnyoneButMac -- fast forward and the fanbase got what they wanted at the top of the draft.

After making an early splash in round one, the team had plenty of additional draft capital to bolster the roster heading into the 2021 season.

Pick 3 - NDSU QB Trey Lance

After the longest pre-draft month that any of us have ever experienced, the 49ers' landed on their QB of the future, NDSU QB Trey Lance.

Trey Lance was the youngest QB selected of the "big 5" quarterbacks at the age of 20. For comparison sake of other notable 49ers' players and what their ages where when they were drafted by the team, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel were 24 years old at the time they were selected.

The reason why his age is important in the grand scheme of things, the arrow is absolutely pointing up for the young signal caller. Lance is not a finished product yet and will continue to learn, grow physically and mentally as he acclimates to life as an NFL QB.

As it stands now, Lance is an extremely talented QB who could make a big impact as a rookie. However, he will need to beat out veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo in camp in order to get on the field as a rookie.

Pick 48 - Notre Dame G Aaron Banks

The 49ers put together a trade with the Raiders that allowed them to move back a few spots and select Notre Dame Guard and Bay Area native. The 6'6" 320 lbs guard is absolutely massive but he moves much better than his measurable's would have you thinking.

Since I have had time to jump into the tape, Aaron Banks is quickly becoming one of my favorite prospects from this draft class.

Consistency in football players is something that is a necessity in order to be successful. When watching Banks, he is consistently winning reps. It is rare to see a lapse on tape which is a rare trait by any offensive lineman. The size and mobility combined with his great feet could have him being one of the best picks in the entire draft when we look back in a couple years.

Pick 88 - Ohio State RB Trey Sermon

The 49ers executed another trade which landed them one of their "sexier" picks in the draft. Sermon exploded onto the scene with his 331 yards and 2 TD against Northwestern. He was an Oklahoma transfer and found himself behind starting running back Master Teague for the majority of the season. But when Sermon got his opportunity, he took full advantage of it.

Sermon was able to showcase his ability run with physicality and agility. His size forces DBs to go low to attempt to tackle him but his athletic ability allows him to hop right over defenders. His size allows him to run right through you. His speed allows him to out run you.

He has strong vision and one-cut ability at the line of scrimmage as well as a knack for finding the correct running lanes which should translate well to the outside-zone scheme the Kyle Shanahan implements.

Pick 102 - Michigan CB Ambry Thomas

Kyle Shanahan added the first defender of the night in Ambry Thomas. The Michigan DB was an opt-out in 2020 so he did not have a ton of pre-draft hype. However, the 49ers did watch him up close and personal at the Senior Bowl this year.

Former Cowboys' WR Dez Bryant added some spice to his name when he tweeted that the Cowboys should have drafted the cornerback. As someone who is a big fan of rivalries, that was music to my ears.

Ambry brings a versatile bag of tricks with him to the Bay. He was used on all three phases of the game for the Michigan Wolverine - playing offense, defense, and special teams as a returner. On tape he looks to be a great athlete and someone with a solid floor to build a strong foundation upon for the young CB.

Pick 155 - Western Michigan OL Jaylon Moore

The 49ers shocked some when they selected their second offensive lineman in this class. Fans shouldn't be shocked as to why Kyle Shanahan took the agile Jaylon Moore out of Western Michigan.

The theme with Niners offensive lineman that they drafted was that they both move extremely well for their size. Offensive lineman need to have good movement skills to be able to play in the zone scheme, as picking up athletic linebackers is a necessity.

Moore offers the great flexibility of being able to play both guard and tackle, making him a great candidate for the swing tackle position and eventual starter when the time is right.

Pick 177 - Oregon CB Deommodore Lenior

John Lynch & Co. opted to go with their 2nd corner of the draft out of Oregon. When watching Lenior on tape, my first impression is that of a guy who would fill in perfectly behind K'Waun Williams in the slot corner role.

Another guy with great movement skills is added to the roster in a position that needed more depth. He has clean hips and a natural ability to play press-man. Allows shows ability to play well in zone/off coverage.

Will Likely be a special team contributor in year one for the 49ers.

Pick 180 - USC DB/OLB Talanoa Hufanga

Talanoa is quickly becoming a fan favorite amongst the Faithful without even taking a snap yet.

With strong Polynesian roots, Hufanga plays with a certain type of energy that is infectious. Kyle Shanahan called Hufanga an "old school bas ass" when discussing the rookie as a player.

After watching Hufanga play at USC, that statement holds true, he's a bad ass football player. I see him as a guy who will patrol the box and stay close to the line of scrimmage. His skillset allows him to be a factor in the run game and lock down the short to intermediate parts of the field.

Hufanga appears to be the perfect mold of the new style "hybrid LB" that the 49ers perfected with Fred Warner.

Pick 194 - Lousisana-Lafayette RB Elijah Mitchell

This pick made me especially happy as Elijah Mitchell became a "my guy" after being in Mobile to take in the Senior Bowl this year, clearly the 49ers' personnel staff felt the same way.

Mitchell has next-level speed, running a 4.33 40-yard dash time. However, he is much more than just a burner, he's a complete back who can do it all when his number is called.

He has the ability to patiently find running lanes and hit them with great burst. Mitchell has a one-cut and go running style, similarly to what we have grown fond of with Raheem Mostert. I believe Mitchell will make it very difficult for the 49ers when they are cutting down to the final 53-man roster as I see have him having a real shot at making the roster.

Undrafted Free Agent Signings

UDFA List

UAB WR Austin Watkins Jr
Ohio State LB Justin Hilliard
Louisiana Monroe TE Josh Pederson
Kansas LB Elijah Sullivan

Not the deepest haul of Undrafted free agents but they made the ones they got count. Austin Watkins Jr. is another "my guy" based on his performance at the Senior Bowl and the Niners landed a guy who has a real shot at the final 53.

Justin Hilliard was an UDFA that got a good amount of money in the grand scheme of UDFA contracts. This is typically an indicator of the demand on a specific UDFA. Hilliard is a good player but is often injured but could make the team if he stays healthy.

The son of Super Bowl winning Head Coach Doug Pederson, Josh Pederson is the next name to join George Kittle's tight-end room. Pederson is actually a pretty athletic receiving threat but is likely headed for the practice squad due to the current depth on the team.

The Niners grab another athletic LB out of Kansas in Elijah Mitchell. The team continues to add a very specific type of player to the LB room. We will see if Mitchell can crack that final roster, likely a practice squad guy.

tas LB Elijah Sullivan

¡Viva México!

Signed - Mexico OL Alfredo Gutierrez

The 49ers weren't done adding OL depth as the brought in a monster from south of the border. Based on what I have found, Alfredo is approx. 6'9" 320 LBS+ which is absolutely massive even for NFL standards.

Alfredo is apart of the NFL International program and caught the eyes of the 49ers' when he participated in Florida's Pro Day. As you'd expect, his tape shows him absolutely demolishing defenders but level of talent is of course much different than in the states. It will be interesting to see how he translates to the NFL game.

Top Day 2 Prospects The 49ers Should Target

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 21:27:07 GMT

Now it's time for the real draft to start.

The hive is buzzing as the 49ers drafted North Dakota State QB Trey Lance with the 3rd overall pick.

However, there are still 6 more rounds of the draft and the 49ers have plenty of picks left. In round two and three, the 49ers will be selecting at #43 & #102, barring any trades.

Let's take a look at the top targets available for the 49ers in round two.

Top Targets for Pick 43

LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: I am personally shocked to see JOK fall out of the first. He is a hybrid LB/Slot defender that can play all over the field. His speed is next level and someone will get a stud with this player.
EDGE Azeez Ojular i: One of my favorite prospects in the class and another shocker to fall out of the first. If the 49ers grabbed Azeez to pair with Bosa/Sosa/Ford -- opposing offensive coordinators better watch out.
S Trevon Moehrig: Trevon may actually be my favorite defender in the entire class. His athletic traits and awareness are off the charts. I feel he is a good enough athlete to play CB and thrive. He would be a great asset to add at 43.
DT Christian Barmore: The 49ers have an opportunity to make their DL extremely stout if they wanted to. Barmore is one of the better IDL in this class and could fit a need that is currently held by guys on one year deals.
RB Javonte Williams: This kid is a stud and I could absolutely see the 49ers grabbing Javonte here. They were clearly involved with Najee Harris and could still be looking for a guy to compliment Mostert/Wilson. Javonte is a legit 3-down back and has strong ability to catch out of the back field.
OL Quinn Meinerz: If the 49ers land Quinn Meinerz I may lose my mind due to excitement. A stud who knows how to burry opposing DL, it would be great to see Quinn on the Niners.
OL Landon Dickerson: One of the better OL in this class, he has fallen due to being often injured. If he was not recovering from injury he would have likely been one of the first OL selected in the first round. He can play all 5 spots and is a savage when healthy.
OL Tevin Jenkins: I for sure thought Tevin would be a 1st round pick. He may be one of the nastiest tackles in this class. I could see the 49ers taking him as well for key depth/competition at G/T.
WR Elijah Moore: The 49ers also have their pick of some top tier talent at WR. Moore is a smaller prospect at 5'9" but that will not stop him from being successful in the NFL. He would be fantastic in this scheme.
WR Terrace Marshall: This kid is a super sleeper after playing in the shadow of Chase and Jefferson at LSU. He is a smooth criminal when it comes to playing the WR position and has great size.
CB Tyson Campbell: The Georgia product is one of the better available CBs left on the board. Could very well find his way onto the roster in 2021.
EDGE: Ronnie Perkins: Would love to get the motor the Ronnie Provides. I could even see him playing OLB in certain packages.
EDGE: Boogie Basham: I really like what Basham provides as he can play all over the DL. He is a fierce competitor and has a mean streak. A guy that could be very versatile up front for the 49ers.
CB Ifeatu Melifonwu: I am a big Meli guy but maybe there is a chance the 49ers could trade back and still get the massive CB. Great size and even better movement skills.
OL Sam Cosmi: I am a big fan of Sam since he was a Sophomore playing for the Texans. He is massive and moves extremely well for his size and would fit Kyle's zone-scheme great.
OL Dillon Radunz: The 49ers could bring in Trey Lance left tackle from NDSU as the lineman trained with Joe Staley this offseason. Based on all the connections, I could totally see this happening.
S Richie Grant: The Grant hive is buzzin if he is the pick here. A versatile DB who can play CB and S. He would be able to contribute day 1 to the defense.
WR Dymai Brown: Another under the radar guy who could truly grow into a #1 WR at the NFL level.

Top Targets for 102

OL Kendrick Green: One of my favorite prospects in the entire class, he would be a steal here. Would love to see Green in red & Gold.
WR Amari Rodgers: An absolute stud at the Senior Bowl, Rodgers has the exact skillset that Kyle typically looks for in WRs. He would be a great fit to the team.
RB/WR Demtric Felton: The UCLA product took over the Senior Bowl as he made his transition from college RB to NFL WR prospect. He has special movement skills that could be deadly out of the slot. Kyle would have lots of fun with him.
CB Robert Rochell: An FCS kid with tons of potential. He has really good size and movement skills that allow him to stick to WRs in coverage. Would love this pick here.
S Jevon Holland: The Oregon standout could find himself slide a bit and the 49ers could stop his free fall. He would be a great piece to put behind Tartt/Ward to develop.
WR Cade Johnson: Another FCS kid, Cade was really fun to watch and speak to at the Senior Bowl. A kid who has had to earn everything, he provides a solid skillset at WR.
OLD/S Divine Deablo : One of my favorite prospects throughout the entire process, Deablo would be amazing on this defense. He can play both safety and outside linebacker and would be a great chess piece for DeMeco Ryans.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: If he is available here, I am running the card to the podium. I think he is one of the most underrated prospects in this class and is another WR that can do it all. Wn over the top, over the middle, it doesn't matter.
RB Michael Carter: A smaller back but he packs a real punch. He has the ability to make defenders miss in the open feel while also being able to run in-between the tackles. He would be another great chess piece.
LB Chazz Surratt: The North Carolina LB reminds me so much of when I scouted Fred Warner out of BYU. They are both superb athletes that move sideline to sideline with the best of them. He would be great to add to the LB room to learn behind All Pro Fred.
RB Kenneth Gainwell: I could definitely see Kyle liking what Gainwell provides from a traits standpoint. He is an extremely versatile back who put up a lot of production in college. I would really like this pick.
WR Dwayne Eskridge: A WR who is another speedster that would slot in well in-between Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
CB Benjamin St-Juste: I have mocked the Minnesota multiple times to the 49ers and could see him being a fantastic fit for the 49ers defense. Would be a great depth piece that could develop into a starter.
WR Austin Watkins: One of the most underrated players in this class out of UAB, Austin Watkins could be a real difference maker if he lands in the right spot. He has true #1 WR upside.

Mock Draft 4.0 - Build For The Future

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 20:54:27 GMT

It's been awhile but we're mocking now!

This will be my first (published) mock draft since the 49ers traded up to #3 to select the QB of the future.

Between you and I, this is probably the 1,000th mock I've put together since that time and I am really excited to do a deep dive into this one and the possibilities for the 49ers in the upcoming draft.

Mock 4.0

3) Ohio State QB Justin Fields

When I started scouting college QBs back in October, if you asked me if the 49ers actually had a shot at drafting Justin Fields I would have told you there is 0% chance of that happening.

But here we are a couple hours before the draft and Fields is absolutely in play for the 49ers.

For myself, this is a no brainer pick. If you take a look at my QB rankings that I posted yesterday, you will see why I believe this. It will be interesting to see how this scenario actually plays out tonight, but this is where I land for the future of the franchise.

TRADE ALERT!

The 49ers make the ultimate 'win now' move by moving back into the first round. The logic here is that the Jets aren't necessarily in a 'win now' mode and are willing to drop 20 picks back while gaining a future 2nd and additional compensation.

I will absolutely say this is not a prediction of what the team will do, rather what I would try to do.

Pick 23 - Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman

The 49ers continue to shock the NFL world by making insane moves and jump back into the first round for a stud WR.

Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch decide that they will leverage the future to get the most dangerous weapons around their young franchise QB. Now the 49ers head into 2021 with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Rashod Bateman as their top receiving options.

I believe there is a world where Rashod Bateman comes away as the best WR from this draft class. My good friend Jason Aponte made a great comparison, calling Bateman this years Justin Jefferson.

Bateman has a lot of traits that reminds me of Brandon Aiyuk. I see great speed combined with ability to torture DBs with his route running ability. He can run every route and even run them unconventionally due to his speed and control, just like Aiyuk.

If the 49ers want to go far with a rookie QB, they need to put as many weapons around the young star as possible.

Trade Alert!

It's been heavily rumored for months that the Patriots and 49ers could eventually work out a trade to send Jimmy Garoppolo back to New England and those rumors have picked up tons of steam as we inch closer to the draft.

The 49ers strike a deal to send Jimmy to the Patriots for a 3rd round pick straight up.

Pick 96 - Minnesota CB Benjamin St-Juste

The 49ers go back to the well in Minnesota and grab another Gopher captain in St-Juste.

A long, rangy cornerback who has the traits to move extremely well for being a tall CB. When I was watching him at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile in January, he instantly reminded me of Ahkello Witherspoon. Now some fans may not have the fondest memories of Ahkello but that doesn't change that fact that Ahkello was our best CB to start the 2019 season and was derailed by injuries. St-Juste will come in to fill Ahkello's role and provide great depth for the 49ers.

St-Juste will have a great opportunity to not need to start right away with Verrett, Moseley, and K'Waun Williams all coming back. He will be a key depth piece in year one and could slot into the starting role in year two if Verrett opts for a big time contract in free agency.

117) UCLA RB/WR Demtric Felton

Demtric Felton has been on of my favorite prospects from this process since getting to watch him tear up the Senior Bowl.

Although Felton played RB at UCLA, he is being drafted primarily as a slot WR/Receiving back out of the backfield. He offers a diverse skillset and could see Shanahan completely maximizing his potential. The same them applies to this pick as the Bateman selection, get as many weapons as possible.

Felton can contribute right away, especially as a special teams returner. And don't get it confused, he will play RB for the 49ers as well and could be the ultimate chess piece in an offense constantly trying to create mismatches.

Pick 155) USC CB Olaijah Griffen

The son of rapper Warren G looks to be a regulator himself when he was playing CB for the Trojans.

When watching him play, I envision the successor to K'Waun Williams. Griffen plays with the same kind of grit and nastiest as K'Waun. They might not be the biggest DBs but they definitely don't back down from a challenge. Has has good traits that allow him to mirror WRs and stick in their hip pocket. He looks to be a sleeper in this class.

Pick 172) Northern Iowa DE Elerson Smith

One of my favorite gems in this class, the 49ers add a raw but dynamic edge defender who can turn into a beast.

Standing 6'6'" 252 lbs, Elerson is absolutely massive but moves extremely well for his size. He has the ability to kick down and play over the Guard and rush the passer off the edge. I was a big fan of former small school and current Steelers DE Alex Highsmith who wound up turning in one of the best rookie season last year and could see Elerson having similar potential.

He was an absolute stud at the Senior Bowl and was impossible to ignore. I think he will need a couple years in the league before you get to see really who he is but he is a guy I would grab and stash then reap the rewards.

Watch him beat a 1st/2nd round tackle in Dillon Radunz below.

Pick 194) Miss St RB Kylin Hill

Here is another "my guy" from the Senior Bowl. I will be 100% honest here, there is no way Hill falls this far and if he does someone needs to be fired.

This is a great RB who posses a skillset that allows him to be extremely versatile. He can run you over, jump over you, and juke you all on the same play. He has really good vision and then his traits take over after that. He has great burst and one-cut ability in the hole.

This would be a huge W to get a RB of this quality late in the draft.

Pick 230) Texas DL Ta'Quon Graham

First of all, great name. Secondly, underrated defensive lineman.

Graham is a more athletic IDL and has a similar mold to DJ Jones who is currently on the roster. Graham would be a great piece to add late that could be apart of the DL rotation early in his career. He would be a great depth piece in the 7th round.

With the NFL Draft just a few short hours away, I feel that we are in for a bunch of surprises.

Buckle up!

49ers Bring Back Offensive Lineman

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 19:43:31 GMT

Familiar face back on the Niners.

The 49ers continue to add depth right before the draft.

Compton was signed by the 49ers last season on 4/3 after last playing together on the Washington Football Team when Shanahan was a coordinator. He played in spot duty last season when some of the starting offensive lineman went down. He will likely be looked solely as a depth piece for both guard spots.

QB Rankings: See How The Rookies Stack

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:57:59 GMT

Take a look at my updated rookie QB rankings and see if you agree.

art via rrdontplay - IG

With the 49ers firmly planted in taking a QB at number three overall, here are my rankings and a look into each of the top QB prospects ahead of the NFL Draft.

8) Florida - Kyle Trask

The number 8 spot was honestly a toss up but I decided to land here at 8 with Kyle Trask.

After being talked about as a possible Heisman candidate, Trask has rarely been mentioned during the offseason as a top-tier draft eligible QB. You would think a guy who put up over 4,000+ yards with 43 touchdowns to 8 interceptions would have his name brought up often, but it hasn't.

After watching Trask for the majority of last season and going back to review, it's clear as day that he benefited from one of the most gifted rosters in college football. Kyle does have a strong arm and an ability to make the required throws which led to him putting up monster numbers. However, when you take a deep dive into his game tape, you can see in many instances he just throws the ball up in hopes his guy comes down with it.

Having offensive weapons like Kyle Pitts, Kadarious Toney, Trevon Grimes all ensured Trask would look good. I think Trask has the tools to be an NFL QB but think he needs some time to learn the small nuances of the game and work on being more intentional with his accuracy. I have him as a developmental guy at this point.

7) Texas A&M - Kellen Mond

Kellen Mond is one of the more polarizing figures in this year's draft class. Analyst Chris Simms actually has the Aggie QB ranked ahead of Justin Fields and Trey Lance.

I was able to watch Mond live in Alabama at the Senior Bowl throughout the week of practices that led up to the game where he won MVP. Let's just say, I came away from watching Kellen Mond 4 days in a row and felt uninspired by his play. The value of watching guys live is you get to see their body language in real time after a good/poor throw, how they handle certain aspects of adversity, who the true leaders are.

I felt Mond lacked in the leadership category on top of being wildly inconsistent as a passer. Understanding the Senior Bowl may not be the ultimate tool to understand who he is as a player, I of course watched the tape and saw a lot of the same same things there that I saw in person; inconsistency.

From what I have seen, Mond has the arm strength to make all the required throws at the next level. The question remains though if it will be on target or sail out of bounds where nobody can come down with it. He needs time to learn from a veteran and become more consistent. For me, my evaluation goes beyond the arm talent and with QBs, being consistent is one of the most important traits. I feel he has all the tools physically, but he needs time to sit and allow the processing to catch up to speed.

6) Stanford - Davis Mills

Davis Mills is someone that I came onto late and I didn't know much about him, but it was quickly apparent what he is capable of. Mills isn't going to excite you when you look at him from a physicality standpoint, but what he does lack in that department he more than makes up for with his decision making and mental processing. This is arguably the most important aspect when it comes to being a successful QB.

Mills doesn't bring a ton of experience with him as the PAC-12 playing a modified schedule in 2020 and only 8 games in 2019 but I've seen enough to discern what Mills can do. He is a cerebral guy who is going to take care of the football and make the correct reads and put the ball in the right situation. He has the arm talent to thread the ball into places that may have underneath defenders by using his combination of touch and accuracy. I feel his arm talent is a bit underrated due to his inexperience but from everything I can see, this kid can spin it.

I don't see Mills as a day 1 starter, more so someone who could really benefit from sitting a few years but I also see someone who could operate pro schemes day 1 if that is required of him. For these reasons, I see Mills potentially being one of the first guys taken on day 2 due to the top 5 QB prospects being gone in the top 15. A QB needy team could move up to the top of the 2nd and take the best QB prospect available on day 2.

5) Alabama - Mac Jones

Mac Jones has quickly become a hot topic amongst 49ers' fans as seemingly being the clubhouse leader for the QB fans don't want to see on the team.

A lot of this has been due to the constant narratives being pushed by media that Mac Jones is the pick at three. It's to the point where there is clear agenda being pushed behind the scenes. I for one, have always thought Mac Jones would be someone who would fit Kyle's scheme and could be very successful but I have always felt he has a capped ceiling. He may have the highest floor out of all the prospects not named Trevor Lawerence but he also has the lowest ceiling out of the top 5 QBs.

Now, here is what Mac Jones is good at. Arguably the best processor in this class. He has the ability to make all the correct reads and keys pre-snap and has the ability to diagnose defenses to ensure he puts his team in a good spot. This is more than half the battle of being a QB so it points to him being able to translate very well to the NFL. He ran scheme's and concepts very similar to what Kyle Shanahan which is where a lot of this narrative is coming from.

He has the ability to be accurate with touch. He works really well in the short to intermediate areas of the field and shows an ability to push the ball down field. He doesn't have natural velocity or a big arm which he uses his processing to mitigate. He will not be able to extend plays if initial reads aren't open and he see's quick pressure. He does have a toughness about him, he will stand in the pocket and let it rip, even with pressure in his face.

Jones is a first round talent that is worth of being a first round pick. However, his limitations as an athlete, a DIU that resulted in a car accident as a 19 year old should all be things that are taken into consideration and is why he is firmly planted as the 5th best QB prospect in this class.

4) North Dakota State - Trey Lance

Trey Lance is one of my favorite prospects in this class. He is a guy who suffers from poorly placed perceptions surrounding his level of play and lack of experience at NDSU.

Mac Jones has the same number of college games played (17) as Trey Lance yet one is "pro ready" and the other is "developmental". Now, with Trey not playing in 2020 due to the FCS only playing one game before shutting down the year, there is some room to want to see more experience but it is important to note, he has been training nearly everyday since October, refining his mechanics which will allow him to function much better in the NFL.

Trey has arguably the best tools in this class. He runs like Derrick Henry but throws like Ben Roethlisburger. He has an absolute cannon for an arm and can put the ball wherever he wants. Another thing that isn't discussed enough is about the scheme Lance executed at NDSU. All the concepts he ran translate to the NFL and specifically to Kyle Shanahan's play-action philosophies. He was also tasked with calling protections at the line of scrimmage and getting the offense into the right play based on what the defense is showing. He is more pro-ready than people give him credit for. I think Trey Lance is further along as a prospect than Josh Allen was coming out of Wyoming in regards to "rawness'.

There is a world that Trey Lance could be the most successful QB prospect from this class. All it takes is for one team to fall in love and that could be the 49ers. I would be ecstatic with Trey Lance as the 49ers QB.

3) BYU - Zach Wilson

Here is where the disagreement will likely begin. From my perspective, Zach Wilson has been the consensus #2 overall QB prospect by most and for good reason.

Wilson arguably has the best arm in this class, arguably the best arm out of any prospect to enter the draft in the last decade. Wilson has special arm talent and that was on display all year in 2020 and during his pro day. His throwing motion is effortless and the ball just jumps out of his hands. He can throw out of any position, arm angle and off-platform similarly to what we see from Aaron Rodgers week in and week out.

Some of the knocks on Wilson are strength of schedule and the fact that he had a really good offensive line which allowed him to throw freely without much pressure. But after diving into the tape, even though the latter may be true, Wilson's talent is no gimmick. He is also a great runner of the football and is a trait that is better than most suspect. He truly is a natural athlete and comes from a long line of successful people in his family. There really aren't a ton of negatives in Zach Wilson's game.

I think Zach Wilson will be a stud wherever he lands, which could even be the 49ers if the Jets opt to take Justin Fields over Wilson which I believe is a REAL possibility and have felt this was for the entirety of the offseason. If that turns out to be the case, 49ers should be thrilled because Zach is the real deal with a massive ceiling and should be running to turn into the card.

2) Ohio State - Justin Fields

Justin Fields has firmly become the most polarizing prospect in this class thanks to most major media outlets. Fields has been under fire since his time at Ohio State and that plays a big part in my evaluation process.

I am really high on the importance of mental intangibles, especially from the QB position. With Justin Fields' journey starting from high school to now, I see a guy who has been through the fire multiple times and he has overcome it each and every time. Whether transferring to Ohio State after things didn’t work out in Georgia, having the national media pick apart the young QB after the Indiana/Northwestern games, to come out against Clemson and dismantle a top ranked defense littered with NFL talent, from the pocket. The way he battled through the National Championship game, even in a loss, was huge for my evaluation of what Fields is made of and he is absolutely made of all the right stuff.

From a traits standpoint, he has EVERYTHING. Justin Fields is a prototypical pocket passer -- you take away his ability to run and he is still a top QB prospect in this class. He can make every throw from the pocket and has the ability to throw with anticipation and fit the ball into tight windows. The most accurate passer in this class according to advanced metrics and charting, Fields has all the tools to be able to win solely from the pocket as a passer. He is also exceptional when moving outside the pocket.

Fields has the "Russell Wilson" intangible of being able to move outside the pocket while continuously looking to make plays downfield with his arm. This will put defenses in very tough positions due to his ability to run and force defenders to choose between covering or coming up to stop Fields from running.

He’s a prototypical pocket passer that brings 4.4 speed with him. Not only does he have straight line speed but he possesses fantastic lateral ability to be shifty and make cuts on a dime, similarly to Lamar Jackson. His running ability is actually an underrated part of his game because he relies so much on winning from the pocket. Justin Fields is the only draft eligible QB with top 10 in both passing (92.2) and rushing (84.3) grades per Pro Football Focus.

I truly don't see many negatives to Fields game and have disproven all major media concerns as they simply aren't true. The only one true concern is his epilepsy. That is very hard to project how a team views that situation and it could very well scare a few teams from taking Justin in the top 5 if it is more serious than we think.

If Fields can continue to overcome his epilepsy disorder, I think Justin Fields could have the best career out of any QB in this class based on him being what I consider, the new ‘prototype’ QB in the NFL.

1) Clemson - Trevor Lawrence

I don't need to be long winded here because this is where Trevor Lawrence has belonged since he was slanging the rock at Cartersville High School outside Atlanta Georgia. I first stumbled onto his highlights of him while he was a junior as a complete accident and knew nothing about him. I was instantly impressed. I sent a highlight clip of his to a group chat with some of my buddies and said that he might have the best arm I have ever seen.

His talent popped as a high schooler and that only continued throughout his college career. He is the rare combination of length and ability that you don’t see. 6’6” guys aren't supposed to run or throw like Trevor. Has has every tool possible when it comes to being a QB. He truly is rare. He has elite arm talent and can make every single throw imaginable. He has the mental tools to be able to thrive and handle the scrutiny that comes along with being a #1 overall pick, as he has been touted as such since he was in high school. He has a hall of fame trajectory and would not be shocked at all to see him in Canton one day.

Should be a pretty easy decision for the Jags.

Highlights From Justin Fields Pro Day

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 20:21:48 GMT

Ohio State QB Justin Fields blew away viewers with his stellar pro day performance.

From my perspective, Justin Fields did exactly what he needed to do with his pro day to smash some of the narratives that have been floated by some media members over the last few months.

Is Justin Fields a perfect prospect, no. I think that is what is so exciting for me personally. You see opportunities for him to continue to get better by tightening up some technical aspects in his throwing motion, but even still, you can see how natural of a thrower Fields is and how accurate he is when he is on.

What we saw today were the same things that you can see in his tape. He is a naturally gifted athlete with a strong arm, not to mention he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash which is faster than other mobile NFL QBs like Russell Wilson and Cam Newton.

Here are some of the better throws from today's session with Justin Fields:

It's safe to say that Justin Fields dominated his pro day.

Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are headed from Alabama where they watched Mac Jones and flying direct to Ohio to meet with Justin Fields. The details of what will happen durning this meeting are unclear as it was reported that Justin Fields would hold another throwing session for the 49ers.

As a Justin Fields truther myself, today was a great day. Fields has taken a lot of unfair hits off the field, dating back to last season and today is a reminder of how talented he truly is.

Now, there are a legitimate questions regarding who goes number 2 overall to the Jets. With the extremely strong connection between the Jets and Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme, it is logical to think the Jets could take Fields at #2 as their staff has the same familiarity with Fields that Shanahan has.

It now seemingly feels like it's either Justin Fields or Zach Wilson at #3 for the 49ers.

Only time will tell.

Reactions Across Social Media to Jason Verrett Re-Signing With 49ers

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 19:56:50 GMT

The 49ers are able to keep star CB on a one-year deal.

There was some doubt that cornerback Jason Verrett would return to the 49ers after he did not re-sign prior to free agency. Luckily for the 49ers, they were able to bring the former Pro Bowl CB back on a one-year $5.5M deal, per Ian Rapoport.

49ers GM John Lynch also took to twitter to congratulate Verrett on his return to the team.

Here are some 49ers player reactions:

Reactions from 49ers beat reporters:

Check out some fan reactions:

49ers Give Juice The Big Check - Reactions From Social Media

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 02:59:36 GMT

The 49ers pay big money to retain the NFL's best fullback.

The 49ers front office and coaching staff decided to make paying fullback Kyle Juszczyk a tp priority this offseason by making him the highest-paid fullback in NFL history.

It turns out, 49ers owner Jed York and General Manager John Lynch may have actually drunkenly called Juice after the deal was agreed upon. You can't make this up!

Juice's teammates congratulate the fullback becoming the highest paid in the history of the position.

Brandon Aiyuk likes what he sees.

Take a look at Juice's impact for the 49ers since joining the team in 2017.

And the tweet that started all the speculation and frenzy for the last 24 hours could arguably be the greatest tweet in 49ers twitter history.

49ers Sign Starting CB To Two-Year Deal

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 20:53:47 GMT

Team brings back key starter before free agency period.

The 49ers sign the former undrafted free agent out of Tennessee to a two-year $10.1M deal.

This is great news for the team as they lock up a starting CB ahead of free agency. With Verrett, K. Williams, and Witherspoon still up in the air, fans can take a deep breathe knowing a starting caliber cornerback is back on the roster.

Now I would expect to OL Daniel Brunskill to be signed in a similar fashion to Moseley, Dwelley, and Harris. All RFA/ERFA who can give the team more cap flexibility with these type of short-term deal, opposed to signing the original tenders.

We are just getting started with roster moves!

Top 10 Free Agent Targets For The 49ers

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 18:29:35 GMT

I take a look at potential targets for the 49ers as we head into what will likely be one of the wildest free agency periods we have seen.

I truly believe we are headed for the craziest free agency period in recent memory. With a reduced cap and teams seemingly trying to save every penny they can, it's going to be very interesting to see where the top free agent talent lands and which players will get released.

This very well could be the deepest free agent class in some time so I will take a look at free agents that could potentially fit the 49ers roster construction blueprint in 2021.

Top 10 Free Agents The 49ers Should Target

10) Safety - Keanu Neal

Keanu Neal is a former first round pick who hit the ground running as a rookie. He was a prominent player for the Atlanta Falcons that were a half away from winning the Super Bowl. Neal has seen his play seemingly take a step back along with the rest of the Atlanta Falcons team.

A factor that you can't deny is the connection to Kyle Shanahan from his time as offensive coordinator with the Falcons. Kyle has shown a tendency to bring in players that he has working relationships with from previous stops.

Neal didn't put up a great year in 2020 ranking 33/94 graded safeties but at 25 years old, there is still time to salvage Neal's once promising career at a price that could fit into future plans. He had a top 5 pass rush grade (safeties) and played 484 snaps in the box, which is similarly to how the 49ers have historically used their strong safeties in the past.

I envision him as a cost-effective, low-risk/high-reward signing who could fill in for Tartt, pending him leaving in free agency.

9) Slot CB - Mike Hilton

With the feeling that K'Waun Williams could take his talents elsewhere, the 49ers would need to find a suitable replacement for the dynamic slot corner who has been extremely impactful for the 49ers defense since 2017.

When I watch the 27 year old slot corner from Pittsburg, I see a lot of the same grittiness that fans grew to love in K'Waun Williams. In the past the 49ers have relied on many nickel corner blitz's, bringing K'Waun off the edge frequently. In 2020, Hilton had a 76.7 pass rush grade which would rank 2nd out of 22 eligible CB's.

As a slot corner, Hilton has no issue playing larger than his measurable's would indicate - he's a very aggressive tackler. Hilton has the edge to fill a big need in our scheme, if the 49ers look to build off of Saleh's defensive blueprint from the 2019 season.

8) EDGE - Bud Dupree

Two back to back Steelers in my rankings you say? Not only are these good individual players but them come from a defensive philosophy that requires a certain type of mentality and would love some of that on the 49ers in 2021.

Bud Dupree is more intriguing to me than anything after a pretty poor year by PFF grading standards, turning in a ranking of 76th of 109 players. To be fair, Bud has not graded out well for the majority of his career but his impact is felt more on the field than in the numbers and statistical analysis.

After playing on the franchise tag last season and not getting a new contract, there is some hope that he can potentially be had on a one-year prove it deal. Clearly he has upside and coming to a team like the Niners defense which needs a Big End/Leo EDGE for the scheme, he could slot right in. Balling out on a one-year deal would allow him to maximize value as the cap is expected to go back up in 2022. Based on this thought process, I like his potential fit with the 49ers.

(shoutout to @49ersfocus/IG for planting the seed)

7) EDGE - Tarrell Basham

Tarell Basham is someone I've always kept on eye on since he was selected out of Ohio University in the third round by the Colts. Unfortunately, he was never really able to get any playing time with the Colts which lead to his eventual cut.

The Jets claimed the young EDGE player off waivers and were able to get solid production out of a guy who was tossed to the curb. In 2019, Basham finally got to see some consistent snaps and turned in a year that had him graded 31st out of 104 total edge defenders. He didn't grade out as high in 2020 but was able to secure a ranking 16 spots ahead of Bud Dupree.

I see a guy who also fits the need as a pass rusher but can also play base downs. Due to his up and down career thus far, I'd assume you could get him on somewhat of a bargain and could be a great depth/potential starter for the 49ers.

6) Center - Corey Linsley

This would be more of a luxury pick than anything else, depending on the situation surrounding All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams. If the 49ers do indeed part ways with Williams, Linsley could be a pivot to help bolster the strength of the interior line immediately.

Linsley would bring with him the top ranking out of all centers with an 84.6 grade via PFF in 2020. For reference, after being thrust into playing center for the first time, 49ers Daniel Brunskill ranked 24th at center in 2020. In my opinion, that's pretty solid considering the circumstances Brunskill faced but if there is an oppertunity to sure up the center position, Linsley is the number one option.

This move would allow Brunskill to go back to his natural position at Guard and would bring much needed cohesion. Playing in Matt LaFleur's offense in Green Bay, Linsley already understand the Kyle Shanahan zone scheme and philosophies and could immediately operate within the offense. A natural scheme fit but he will come at a cost.

PFF projects the top ranked center to command a 3 yrs — $11m avg/yr contract with $16.5m guaranteed, $33m total. I bit pricy, we'll see if they opt to pay another high priced free agent center i.e. Weston Richburg.

5) Wide Receiver - Curtis Samuel

Having Curtis Samuel on the 49ers would just be fun. One of the more criminally underrated players int he league, he would be great to pair with YAC Bro's: Deebo - Aiyuk - Kittle.

It feels like the Panthers were finally able to properly utilize Samuel to his strengths as he put up 77 receptions on 93 targets, compiling 851 receiving yards and 3 TD. Samuel walked away with the highest catch rate in 2020 at 83%.

The most intriguing stat line for me was what he did as a rusher: 41 carries for 200 yards and 2 TD for a solid 4.9 yards a clip. I could easily see the 49ers passing on him if the price is too high. There are plenty of these "Curtis Samuel' style WRs in this upcoming draft class, whether it's UCLA Demetric Felton or Ole Miss Elijah Moore and so on.

Samuel however has been in the league and proven he can be productive. Regardless of the name, the payer archetype is what is most intriguing and would love to see this style of player in Shanahan's offense.

4) EDGE - Yannick Ngakoue

Most 49ers' fans may remember Yannick Ngakoue when the 49ers beat the top ranked Jags at Levi's on Christmas Eve back in 2017 when Yannick was the 18th highest-rated edge defender in the NFL by PFF. He has since bounced around the league after falling out of favor with Jacksonville and then was traded twice in just one year.

The Last team he played with (Ravens) chose not to bring him back either. So this pick could be perceived as a bit of a risk but my good friend Jordan Elliott (@Splash_cousin/Twitter) has been championing why Ngakoue could find a home in the Bay Area and he makes great points.

At 25 years old, Yannick still has an oppertunity to re-invent his career and could do that in the 49ers wide-9 scheme. Yannick has shown he can be dominate on a good defense so maybe the West Coast can provide him a fresh start. The hope here is also to get him on a cost-effective "prove it" it type deal.

3) Cornerback - William Jackson

With the complete unknown of who will actually be returning to the 49ers secondary (Verrett, K'Waun, Tartt, Witherspoon could all be gone), I have my eyes set on a shiny new CB that will allow the 49ers to stick to the BPA formula (Best Player Available) for the upcoming draft.

William Jackson came shooting out the gates with the 4th highest-graded season by all CBs in his first full season (missed rookie year with torn pectoral). The former 1st round pick looked like a future super-star at the position but has tapered off a bit, finishing last season as the 20th highest-graded CB.

The only way this selection works is if it's on a manageable deal for the 49ers. The hope would be to take advantage of the dip in production and get him on a decent deal. I can't see the 49ers paying full market value, but Williams on a bargain could be an extremely intriguing option for the defense.

2) Safety - John Johnson III

It would be a lot of fun to steal away a division rivals captain to put next to Jimmie Ward to lock up the backend on the defense. He dealt with injury throughout the 2020 season but was still able to put up the 3rd highest-ranked grade by all safeties.

If Johnson heads up north to the Bay Area, the defense gets one of the better cover players in the league to pair up with Jimmie Ward. The combination of both Ward and Johnson's skillsets could lead to more diverse looks from a schematic standpoint because both players are so good in coverage and have extremely good athletic traits.

Johnson put up 4 consecutive seasons with a coverage grade of 84.9 and was the 3rd highest-graded in 2020. The 49ers could have the best lockdown tandem at safety in the league with this addition. The draft is not deep with safety talent so they team could very well look to replace Tartt in free agency, if that's the route they decide to go.

1) EDGE - Carl Lawson

Carl Lawson is one of the crown jewels of this class and should be atop any list of teams looking for edge help. Being only 25 year old and being an upper tier edge player, he should command a decent amount of interest.

Lawson was the 8th best pass rusher in the NFL according to PFF as he recorded 6 sacks in 2020. The main thing the 49ers would be looking to pull from Lawson is his contributions to the pass rush and that is Lawson's best attribute, in my opinion.

He has a full bag of pass rush moves whether is the the cross-chop, stab, rip or a combination of a few -- Lawson knows how to get after the passer with the best of them. He will likely demand a decent pay day so the likely-hood of this signing is low, however he would be great to have opposite of Nick Bosa and again opens up flexibility in the draft.

It will be interesting to see what the 49ers do to retain their current free agents and then see who they target on the open market. This is less of a prediction and more of targets that I see fit for the team.

All the speculation will be over in the coming week!

Let us know what you think!

49ers Have Met With Top OT Prospect Rashawn Slater

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 21:00:15 GMT

49ers are doing their homework on the top OT prospect out of Northwestern.

It appears the 49ers have met with OT Rashawn Slater, according to Cam Inman (@CamInman).

This is an exciting development as the team will likely be looking to fill a massive hole in the LT position if Trent Williams indeed leaves for free agency.

Rashawn Slater doesn't have the same size as Trent Williams but he has everything else you need in an elite tackle prospect. He has elite foot quickness and balance that allows him to go head up with any style edge rusher. He brings hands and that 'dawg' mentality you want in an offensive lineman.

His OSU you game will be the main tape evaluators look at as he played extremely well against the former #1 overall pick in DE Chase Young.

Slater is the entire package and there is good reason why he is now being considered the best LT prospect in this class.

Northwestern OT Rashawn Slater Has A Great Pro Day

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 20:01:22 GMT

The big man may have just made himself a top 10 lock.

With 49ers' LT Trent Williams likely headed to free agency and potentially signing with a new team, fans have started turning their focus to the draft for a potential replacement.

A big time OT prospect who fans have been interested in just turned in a massively good pro day with his stock already continuously on the rise.

Right now, Slater is my #1 tackle prospect on my board.

Even the best offensive line evaluator out there Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) agrees Shanahan would absolutely love Rashawn Slater.

Top 5 Players The 49ers Should Re-sign Before Free Agency

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 19:00:43 GMT

With over 25+ free agents, the 49ers have some big decisions on their hands.

As you can see from the list above (via overthecap.com), the San Francisco 49ers have quite the dilemma on their hands.

The Dilemma: $$$

The 49ers have a lot of questions to answer regarding roster construction for the 2021 season. At the top of every fans minds are players like Trent Williams and Jason Verrett.

It appears both players will be headed for free agency which isn't a good sign for the 49ers to retain their services. When a player hits the open market with as much perceived value that both Trent and Verrett have, it becomes difficult to bring players back as they will likely get big pay days from other teams.

This isn't a 100% guarantee that these players won't be back but it definitely shouldn't instill confidence in fans hoping for these players to return.

Top 5 Players The 49ers Should Re-sign Prior To Free Agency

5) Center - Ben Garland

Now this may not be the shiny pick everyone was hoping for right off the bat but I think there is a place for center Ben Garland on this 49ers team.

Garland is viewed as a backup but 49ers fans are aware that when he steps in the game, the offense runs just as it should with minimal drop off i.e. when Garland stepped in for Weston Richburg in 2019.

Garland has graded out with a 71+ grade (via PFF) the past three years with inconsistent snaps. Not only do I feel he can be a starter for the 49ers but at the very least, one of the best backup centers in the league. He could be a great bridge/mentor to a rookie center and/or legitimate backup to an additional free agent signing.

4) Cornerback - K' Waun Williams

K'Waun Williams has been a staple in the 49ers defense since joining Kyle Shanahan in 2017. He has quietly been one of the most impactful players on defense since he joined the team. K'Waun ranked 7th out of 115 available CB's in 2019 per PFF.

Although he is inching closer to his 30's and the team could opt to get younger at the nickel, the 49ers find themselves with a lot of holes in the secondary with Richard Sherman stating that he will likely not return.

Not only that, Ahkello Witherspoon and Jaquiski Tartt may find themselves on new team in 2021.

While Emmanuel Moseley is a RFA and could very well be back with the club in 2021, I would attempt to keep Williams from following Robert Saleh to the Jets and try to get a couple more good years out of K'Waun to allow the team to focus on other needs and start molding his replacement.

There is a high chance that K'Waun Williams opts to follow Robert Saleh to the Jets for more money than the 49ers can offer, something to watch for.

3) Fullback - Kyle Juszczyk

From fans perspective, re-signing the best fullback in the league seems like a no-brainer. It may be a little more difficult than some anticipate.

Juice enters free agency being ranked in the top 2 for NFL fullbacks over the past 5 straight years according to PFF metrics. In Kyle Shanahan's scheme, the fullback is extremely important to the success of the run game as well as play-action concepts.

Last season, Juice compiled an impressive 84.8 run blocking grade.

Although it's clear that Juice should be a top priority to retain based on talent and what he brings to the offense, the question that needs to be answered is how much money is he looking for and are the 49ers ready to give him another lucrative contract now that his 4 year, $21,000,000 original contract is up. Juice could demand a similar contract that could actually be too rich for the 49ers a 2nd time around.

It will be interesting if Juice gives a hometown discount to the 49ers or looks to maximize his value. This could ultimately lead to Juice signing elsewhere but I would attempt to bring him back on a short-term contract that is high in guaranteed money to maximie the 49ers current window.

2) Cornerback - Jason Verrett

As we know, Jason Verrett has publicly confirmed that he will be testing the open market via Free Agency. There is still an opportunity for him to return if he doesn’t find a deal he likes.

Verrett enters the open market as one of the best stories of free agency. After missing multiple seasons due injury, Verrett returned to the starting lineup and put out great play for the 49ers. Verrett walked away from the season as the 8th highest-graded CB via PFF.

Because of the injuries he sustained earlier in his career, he has not yet been able to secure a large contract that we see so many players given every offseason. His value has never been higher so I don't fault Verrett in his search of big time money. The fear for 49ers fans is that he will go out and find a deal the team can’t match. I feel this will be the case when all is said and done.

However, if such a deal is not presented to Verrett, it would be great to see the team bring him back on potentially a high-value one-year deal so he can maximize his value durning free agency the following year when that cap isn't lowered due to the impact of Coivd.

If the 49ers can somehow retain Jason Verrett, that would be a big win from a personnel standpoint.

1) Left Tackle - Trent Williams

I am of the impression that most 49ers' fans don't need to much in-depth analysis to understand the importance of retaining the All Pro LT.

Williams quickly proved that he was one of if not the best LT in the NFL due to his massive size and ability to move and destroy defenders. Fans will remember his sheer dominance in the run game as he would ruthlessly demolish opposing defenders. He is a special blend of size and athleticism that makes him a prototypical left tackle.

The 49ers find themselves in a difficult position as it appears Williams is headed for free agency. Although he is primed to get a large deal from another team in the $20M+/avg per year ballpark, it will be interesting to see if the 49ers will be able to retain his services.

The 49ers should absolutely pay Trent Williams, if he accepts what they are willing to pay is a different story.

The 49ers have plenty of decisions to make that will impact the next decade as this offseason is arguably the most important offseason for the team in recent memory.

The team will likely retain RFA/ERFA’s like CB Emmanuel Moseley and OL Daniel Brunskill in the coming days as the team recently re-signed S Marcell Harris and TE Ross Dwelley to one-year contract extensions. Key depth pieces and cost-controlled starters will have a big impact on the upcoming season.

The next week will paint 49ers’ fans a pretty clear picture of which direction the team is headed.

Stay tuned for the fireworks -- they are just getting started!

Roster Moves: 49ers' Bring Back Two And Decline LB's Option

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 00:08:09 GMT

The 49ers bring back two impactful pieces that could have expanded roles in 2021.

Fans of the 49ers will likely understand that these two particular moves have legitimate impact to the teams final roster in 2021.

Marcell Harris

Safety Marcell Harris fills an important spot with the potential of starting safety Jaquiski Tartt heading to free agency. Marcell has been a key special teammer and spot starter since he joined the team as a former 6th round pick.

He has an opportunity to see his role expanded with a real shot of winning the starting spot next to Jimmie Ward in 2021.

Ross Dwelley

Tight End Ross Dwelley comes back and fans should welcome him with open arms as he has been an absolutely crucial piece to the Kyle Shanahan puzzle over the past few seasons.

Whether filling in for an injured George Kittle or playing full back when Kyle Juszczyk went down for multiple weeks, Ross has answered the call every single time.

With impending FA Kyle Juszczyk return uncertain at this point , the 49ers could potentially play Dwelley exclusively at full back if Juice finds more money on the open market.

Mark Nzeocha

The 49ers also declined the contract option of special teams ace/LB Mark Nzeocha.

Mark has been a key special teamer for the 49ers for the last few years. The team decides to go in a different direction that will net them some additional money to spend on free agents.

Next week we should see a whirlwind of roster moves across the league.

Live: First Round Mock Draft With Jordan Elliott

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:02:54 GMT

Our first live mock of the year!

#DraftSZN

With less than two months until the NFL Draft, it's time for us to dive head first into our first live round-one mock draft of the year!

I was pleased to join Jordan Elliot (@splash_cousin/twitter) to do our first live mock of the offseason. Jordan brings a ton of functional scouting and analytical knowledge to the table, as we take a look at how the first round could potentially fall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Let us know what you think of the first live 1st round mock of the year and make sure to follow Jordan on twitter @splash_cousin!

49ers' Claim Texans DB

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 22:17:21 GMT

John Lynch & Co. add secondary help via waivers.

Who is Mark Fields?

Taking a look at the 49ers newest DB -- Mark Fields makes his way to his fourth team in the NFL after breaking into the league as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs in 2019.

Fields was primarily a backup at Clemson during his 4 years there but shined when he entered the 2019 National Championship against arguably one of the better receiving cores in college history.

Fields was actually traded as a rookie prior to the start of the season for a 7th round pick.

He didn't last very long with the Vikings and bounced around practice squads for the majority 2019-2020 before being claimed by the Texans in December 2020.

Fields had 2 tackles in week 17 for the Texans prior to being waived on March 2nd.

This appears to be a depth move to help supplement bodies in camp.

Mock Draft 3.0 - 49ers Trade Up For QB

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:28:41 GMT

49ers' Kyle Shanahan moves up and grabs a rookie QB while keeping Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Set-Up

The main topic of conversation surrounding the 49ers, continues to be the rampant speculation around the quarterback position. I head into this mock under the assumption that Jimmy Garoppolo will be the 49ers starting QB heading into the 2021 season based on the comments from 49ers GM John Lynch.

Since the 49ers are keeping Jimmy in this mock, I look at how I would build out this roster through the draft under this set of circumstances.

These mocks will soon reflect free agent implications.

Whether the 49ers go into the 2021 season with Jimmy Garoppolo or not, there is a real need for quality QB play in the form of a backup and/or eventual starter.

Currently the team rosters: Jimmy Garoppolo - Josh Rosen - Josh Johnson

MOCK DRAFT 3.0

Trade Alert!

Dolphins Receive: 12th Overall - '22 1st/2nd/3rd - 21' 4th + Tarvarius Moore

49ers Receive: #3 Overall

John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan knows this is a "what have you done for me lately" league and lately Jimmy Garoppolo has been injured more than he's been available.

They understand the need to continue to build for the future and even if Jimmy plays in 2021 for the 49ers -- his cap hit in '21 ($26.1M) and '22 ($27M) could force the team to make other plans based on upcoming free agents like Fred Warner, Nick Bosa.

Pick 3 - QB Ohio State - Justin Fields

John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan finally slam the door on all the talk surrounding them and every QB under the sun by moving up and selecting Justin Fields at pick #3.

Justin Fields brings his ability to operate pro-style concepts including complex play-action philosophies which is a staple in the Kyle Shanahan offense. He also brings his ability as one of the most dynamic runners of the football from the QB position in this draft class.

The combination of being a prototypical pro-style pocket passer while having elite running ability behind an amazing arm is a combination that we have not seen very often in the NFL.

When I look at Fields, I see a Russell Wilson-esque type QB. These types of QB are high-functioning cerebral guys who also bring the great athletic ability behind it.

Arguably the most accurate passer in this class, Fields would thrive in Kyle Shanahan's scheme and would be a great compliment to the style of defense that I envision the 49ers having.

TRADE ALERT!

49ers trade back and receive: Pick #50 & #81 from the Dolphins for pick #44 & #182

If the 49ers keep Jimmy Garoppolo like they have stated they are going to do, this means the need to acquire and hit on cost-controlled rookies due to future cap concerns.

Luckily for the 49ers, this draft is loaded with really good players and gems in the middle rounds so I added another top 100 pick to drop back 6 spots.

(Traded) Pick 50 - Northwestern CB - Greg Newsome II

Newsome has been one of the biggest risers in buzz this past week after Daniel Jeremiah ranked the Big 10 DB in the top 40.

Admittedly, I had yet to look into Newsome and DJ's ranking caused me to do my research on him. Glad I did because he looks like the real deal.

One of my takeaways from the tape was how fluid of an athlete his is. There are many large, rangy CB’s in this class. Newsome on the other hand, has the ability to track WR1’s all over the field due to his top-notch athleticism. He has the ability to play both press-man and off-zone due to these traits.

I see Newsome as a day 1 starter in the NFL and could fill in right away for the 49ers as an outside corner and play multiple different roles including nickel CB in certain situations.

As you can see, Newsome is a very versatile DB and his athletic ability makes this possible. Also, everything I have gathered from the character perspective seems to have Newsome as a high quality guy that any team would welcome.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him enter firm 1st round consideration come draft time.

(Traded) Pick 81 - Minnesota CB - Benjamin St. Juste

Because the 49ers keep Jimmy in this mock, that likely translates to Jason Verrett leaving via Free Agency. Dropping back 6 spots in the second round, the 49ers get their (hopefully) 2nd starting CB in this class from the pick acquired from the Dolphins.

Although St. Juste is a raw prospect, he shows a lot of promise from a physicality standpoint. I grab a 6'3" CB to pair with the athletic Greg Newsome on the outside. Due to the 49ers facing some of the best big-bodied WR's in the NFL twice a year (DK Metcalf - DeAndre Hopkins - Cooper Kupp) St. Juste comes in to provide reinforcements. He will match up really well against big bodied WRs and TE's.

A guy who can work great out of off-coverage, I see him as a great fit for the 49ers presumed zone-scheme.

St. Juste showed well at the Senior Bowl and definitely looked the part of an NFL corner throughout the week of practice and during the game.

I would use St. Juste in more off-ball situations and let him read and react. He has the tools to be successful in in press-man but feel he needs to keep polishing his technique. He has plenty of room for growth and could turn into a legitimate starting corner in the NFL.

Pick 97 - USC WR - Amon-Ra St. Brown

St. Brown may hold the title for most 'under the radar' prospect thus far in the draft partly due to him only playing in 6 games and turning 41 catches into 478 yards this past season.

However, St. Brown brought in 7 touchdowns (1st in Pac-12) in 6 total games while bringing in just 6 touchdowns the year prior with 13 total games played. St. Brown was headed for double-digit touchdown production if the season wasn't abbreviated due to playing in the Pac-12 who started late due to Covid.

From a traits perspective: St. Brown is a 6'1" 200 LBS wide-out who can play outside or play from the slot. I see a guy who would fit the 49ers scheme by being able to be implored in multiple facets and positions. He has the speed to take the top off of defenses, split defenders and be used as a deep threat.

He is a stud when coming across the middle and is also fearless. He would be a great asset with the 49ers shallow-mid passing game and the trend of using our WRs in multiple situations.

Pick 117 - UNI EDGE - Elerson Smith

As you likely know, I have been hunting for quality EDGE players since the beginning of #DraftSZN. With Dee Ford's time likely done in SF due to a back injury, Nick Bosa recovering from ACL injury and Hyder being a Free Agent who could demand a large salary, EDGE is a massive need for the 49ers.

This is how I currently see it. If you can't get your hands on one of the top-5 pass rushers in the first round, teams should be able to get a solid tier 2/3 EDGE player in the middle rounds i.e. Elerson Smith.

Smith may have been the largest players at the Senior Bowl, showing up at 6'6" 250 LBS. His size instantly stood out to me on a field full of NFL prospects. He passed the size test, but continued to flash all week at practice.

Smith's 2019 Stats : 15 GM - 21.5 TFL - 14 sacks - 5 FF - 4 PD

As you can see from just a few clips, his massive size does not hinder his movement skills in the slightest.

Typically when looking at large DL prospects, that is the main thing I look for -- I actually want my large DE's to play "smaller" than their size would indicated because large DL typically don't move the best.

Elerson shows me everything I want to see from an EDGE with his size: Active hands, power, quick feet, awareness, open space tackler, decent bag of pass rush moves, keeps good leverage, shows promise with run fits.

Pick 173 - Kentucky C - Drake Jackson

Some of you may be scratching your head as I take the 49ers first OL super late in the draft.

We know Laken Tomlinson & Mike McGlinchey will be returning for sure and there are a lot of questions with this group. Ben Garland is a FA who I would prefer to have back in 2021. But even if he is to return, we will need a suitable backup. (OL will be properly addressed in Mocks once Free Agency is over)

Jackson is a fringe-starter as a rookie depending on where he lands. If he were to land with the 49ers, I could see him starting in 2021 if Garland didn't return.

He's an averaged sized center around 6'2" sub 300 LBS but has solid technique in pass protection. He understands how to anchor his hips, however larger DL will still be able to move him. He is definitely a zone center (smaller build - quicker) which fits what the 49ers do. He was the last starting-caliber IOL available in the mock simulation.

Pick 198 - UAB WR - Austin Watkins

Watkins is one of my favorite players in the entire class and balled out at the Senior Bowl. There is no chance in hell that he falls this far but he's here so I took him.

From a roster construction standpoint, 49ers need to bring in at least two new WR's to compete with the current players on the roster. Watkins is a guy who would absolutely make the roster.

He is a legitimate complete WR who can do everything extremely well. He has the desired measurable and speed combined with a 'dawg' mentality. One of the best prospects during the week of the Senior Bowl, I see Watkins being a legit WR in the NFL.

I know scouts in attendance saw his ability as well so I would be shocked to see him fall this far.

Pick 228 - Michigan RB - Chris Evans

Another Senior Bowl standout, Chris Evans was someone I noticed almost right away when I first showed up to Mobile.

I believe Evans is just another casualty of the Jim Harbaugh offense. Not only that, Evans was academically suspended during his career and I feel that really affected his ability to return to form from a usage standpoint.

Evans is a great athlete who could serve multiple roles as a rookie. I feel he can be a key special teammer and would use him how Raheem Mostert was used on special teams prior to winning the starting job. Based on what I saw from Evans in Mobile, I feel he can be a legit NFL RB.

He really is the full package from a traits perspective and is a product of off-field politics as he only was given 16 carries as a senior.

Pick 238 - Colorado DL - Mustafa Johnson

Think DJ Jones when you look at Mustafa Johnson which is exactly what I am drafting him to be. Jones is a free agent and will likely leave so I bring in a guy with a similar mold.

Mustafa will be considered undersized but feel he can be used as a rotational pass rushing NT or a 3T in base downs. I would say his game is more geared toward getting after the passer, as he brings a few solid pass rush moves with him to the NFL. He is more of a "twitched' DL with a good initial quickness that allows him to get into OL quickly.

His best season came as a freshman where he recorded 7.5 sacks and 15.5 TFL. Every year since then was a decline so that will be something teams will need to understand why that occurred. Not bad for the last pick in the 7th round for the 49ers.

Let us know what you think of Mock draft 3.0!

Kendrick Bourne To Hit Free Agency?

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 23:57:55 GMT

Bourne appears to be hitting free agency according to post.

Kendrick Bourne has always used social media to get across what he wants to say.

This time it appears that the free agent WR will be testing the open market, via his instagram post:

This is not an official report, we should know more information soon.

49ers Give Safety Contract Extension

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 19:24:55 GMT

Another free agent domino falls for the 49ers.

OK, it's not Jaquiski Tartt but I still find myself liking this signing.

The 49es have officially announced the signing of S Kai Nacua to a one-year extension. Kai was added to the roster late in 2020 and clearly left a mark and is slated to return and be a presence in training camp.

I personally think this is a good move as the 49ers need to continue to bolster cost-effective depth all over the roster.

I feel Kai has a place on this teams as a special teamer but I see a skill-set that could translate to having him start in a pinch and some upside that could be developed further.

I believe the 49ers need to be really good with these depth signings as they could see types of players could wind up seeing significant time if the cap concerns remain throughout the season.

Mock Draft 2.0

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:21:21 GMT

Now that the Super Bowl is over, IT’S MOCK DRAFT SZN!

Setting the stage

As well all know, QB is the #1 priority for the San Francisco 49ers. I will leave that task up to Kyle and John as that is above our pay-grade.

With new rumors coming out everyday about a new QB that the 49ers are interested in, I am respectfully bowing out and focusing on the rest of the holes on the roster.

Once we know the QB situation and free agency hits, these mock drafts will be much more realistic.

TheSFNiners are on the clock!

We have our first trade of the Mock Draft SZN!

The Trade:

The Patriots and 49ers make a trade and Belichick gets his QB, it’s just not Jimmy.

The 49ers are able to acquire additional 2nd and 3rd round picks to help bolster the roster with solid talent by just dropping a few spots back. With Trey Lance available at 12, half the league would be calling about a potential trade to acquire the Mahomes look-alike.

Reminder: this is a Mock trade and not representative of what I think will happen

Azeez has quickly become one of my favorite prospects in this class.

I went into this offseason understanding that Dee Ford likely won’t return based on the bloated contract + injury concerns. Yet, I still prioritize defensive pressures as arguably the most important metric for a successful defense.

Azeez reminds me so much of Carolina Panthers DE Brian Burns, a former draft crush of mine. They both have elite speed off the edge combined with insane bend that allows them to turn the corner with ease. Ojulari arguably has the most skilled hands from any EDGE I have ever scouted.

I am looking for a pure speed rusher and Azeez fits that need 1000%

Pick 44 - Syracuse - CB/S - Ifeatu Melifonwu

Some may recognize the name Melifonwu as Obi, Ifeatu’s brother is already on the roster.

For context, Obi wasn’t one of my favorite prospects but his brother has proven to be one of my favorite DBs in this class. This was solidified at the Senior Bowl as I watched this massive human mirror smaller, faster WRs.

Also, considering that we have run cover 3 & cover 4 zone schemes in the past, I am anticipating that trend will continue with Ryans being promoted to DC.

Melifonwu is a long, rangy, physical corner with great size that can play in both press-man and zone schemes which makes him very valuable in coverage. I also think he can be a starting safety in this league and could slot into that role for the 49ers as well.

Pick 47 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - OL - Quinn Meinerz

Here is a man that needs no introduction if you follow TheSFNiners.

Quinn was the first player I fell in love with at the Senior Bowl. I was immediately drawn to the “big gut energy” that Quinn brought to the field. That same energy was apparent all week in practice, and continued to show during the game on Saturday. He dominated power-5 defensive lineman as a DIII kid who didn’t play in 2020.

He showed me everything I could ever want in a starting center/guard for a Kyle Shanahan’s zone scheme. Foot quickness, hands, power, technique, pass-set, toughness. You could use any positive trait when it comes to describing top-tier OL and Quinn likely embodies it.

The hive is buzzin for Quinn Meinerz.

Pick 96 - Divine Deablo - LB/S - Divine Deablo

I try to not repeat picks in mocks as Deablo made Mock 1.0 but after watching him all week at the Senior Bowl, I crushed on him even harder than I already was.

My favorite thing watching Deablo was how the coaches had played him at SAM/WIll LB for the majority of the time and Deablo thrived. As a safety at VT, he was not known as a ball hawking safety, rather a downhill thumper so the transition to LB is a welcomed one.

But he comes up into the box with all those coverage skills and could turn into another great 49ers LB. Drafting Melifonwu and Deablo also gives the defense insane flexibility having those two players on the field at the same time because they can play multiple positions.

Pick 102 - Oklahoma - CB - Tre Brown

I’ve seen Tre Brown taken all over the place in regards to mock drafts but I feel this is an appropriate spot for the former Sooner.

This guy is the polar opposite of the other DB’s I took ahead of him. I feel he is a guy that has the tools to cover twitched WR’s in the NFL but I also feel he has plenty of room for growth.

From a traits perspective, I could see him as a slot CB as well as an outside CB. One of my favorite attributes he has is ball tracking but he does get in a little trouble sometimes against larger WR’s, even though being in the right position. I feel he can be a guy who continues to grow and get better in the NFL.

Pick 120 - Clemson - WR - Amari Rodgers

I don’t think Amari goes this late but I couldn’t pass this up as he was still on the board.

Amari lit up the Senior Bowl and showed how dynamic of a WR he is. He is a guy who can play outside, slot, put him at RB if you want. He is just that kind of athlete. Surprisingly savage 50/50 ball winner with great routes and feel for seperating from coverage.

This is another guy who you could label as a “Kyle Shanahan guy”.

Pick 173 - Iowa - G/T - Alaric Jackson

Theme of this mock, Senior Bowl standouts and here was another guy who impressed me with his traits.

I was impressed how he worked in 1v1 drills and although he looked light in the pants, you could see the power. I also feel he has a frame that could add more weight which would make him even more dominant.

He has the ability to play both guard/tackle which is a big plus. Coming from Iowa, I don't need to worry about technique or mentality as they know how to coach up blocking. I think he could be an eventual starter in this league.

Pick 181 - Houston - WR - Marquez Stevenson

With Deebo, Aiyuk, and Richie James seemingly being the only returning WRs we can currently count on (Jauan Jennings/Jalen Hurd often-injured). To feel comfortable going into the season, I need at least two additional WR’s on this roster to compete for serious snaps.

Marquez Stevenson has some of the best speed in this class from the WR position. He also proved to me that he can be a legitimate WR and not just a “speed guy”. He was a guy I had my eye on going in and he solidified my thoughts on him.

Pick 198 - Notre Dame - G - Tommy Kraemer

Tommy was a big time high school recruit who didn’t necessarily live up to his 5-star recruit status.

He also doesn’t fit the “Typical” mold of a zone-guard from my standards but I like his ability in pass-pro. Not a very mobile guy, more lumbering and slow footed but a guy I could use in a pinch. I would want him to shed some weight and focus on his foot speed and think he could develop into a serviceable player.

Pick 228 - Kansas - RB - Pooka Williams

I like Pooka “shell” Williams. I am sure you don’t like my nickname for him but I think this kid has real potential to contribute in the NFL.

I get some Phillip Lindsay vibes from Pooka based on his size and vision. I think Pooka is more dynamic than Lindsay coming out and could be a nice piece in the right scheme. I absolutely love his ability to find running lanes and then bursting through it. Pooka would be a great late round flyer after he only played in 4 games in 2020 due to injury.

Trade - 49ers trade 238 to the Football Team for ‘22 6th round pick

49ers come away with 10 rookies and decide to push this 7th round pick to 2022 by turning into a 6th round future.

Let us know what you think!!

Senior Bowl: Week In Review

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 23:01:22 GMT

The NFL Draft truly starts in Mobile.

With the NFL Combine being dramtically different in 2021 and likely being reduced to regional combines, the Senior Bowl became this year's premier pre-draft event.

With 31 NFL teams descending into Mobile (Rams stayed at home), the week was non-stop football. It didn’t matter if you were grabbing food, riding in an elevator, or chilling at a local watering hole -- there was someone from the NFL world wthin reach.

One of the reason’s the Senior Bowl week is so important to evaluators was because this will be the only time we can see these players in one place competing in a true football environment prior to the draft.

This allows scouts and front office personnel to differentiate the Alpha’s from the Beta’s. Bowl invitees inherit an opportunity for themselves to stand out amongst their peers, both on the field and in the meeting room. Case in point, DIII OL Quinn Meinerz. This UW-Whitewater mauler was taking advantage of the opportunity to show he can play at the next level.

For me, being able to see all these players in person throughout the week leading up to the game provided me with the best insight I have ever had in the 10 years I have been evaluating draft talent.

It also introduced me to new draft crushes and players that I will keep tabs on for the remainder of their career, whether they are with the 49ers or not.

As I have discussed many times throughout the draft process, ‘integrity’ is the hardest thing to scout and it is extremely helpful when you can see these guys in real life to be able to evaluate said trait. I was able to see which guys had poor body language, which guys seemed like they had character concerns -- compared to guys who stayed behind to take extra reps and seeing who the true leaders were.

Because scouts are typically looking for a player's traits to translate to a specific scheme and/or technique implored by the coaching staff, 1v1 drills are the best part of the entire week.

T hey allow coaches to set players up in specific positions and situations to see how they react.

We do too, Caleb. (Farley is the CB1 in this class and was unable to attend he Senior Bowl as an underclassman)

1v1 drills is where you stand out amongst your peers. These drills are designed to see who is the most competitive on the field, who has the traits that can translate to certain schemes, and who has the ‘Dawg’ in them.

In an ‘All-Star’ game type atmosphere, there is nothing better than WRs Vs. DBs or OL Vs. DL - 1V1 Drills

The Game

The Senior Bowl game day experience feels exactly like that, a game.

All the work is put in during the week at practice which is what the scouts really covet. Of course we want to see how players perform in the game, but our evaluations have been made up prior to the start of game day kickoff.

What we are looking for is if they can continue to build off the practice week or we see them shy away from the moment with all the bright lights on them.

Essentially, how do they perform when it’s live bullets?

This plays into why prospects like Mac Jones decided to sit for the game because he has done enough in his career to answer the "live bullets" evaluation. It didn’t warrant him risking injury and/or dropping his perceived draft stock from a bad game day performance.

On the flip side, you had guys like QB Kellen Mond who had arguably the worst week of practice I have seen from any player at any level of football, who also had a poor showing in the first half of the actual game.

At this point, I'd imagine most evaluators had already tagged him as late-round/undrafted prospect.

But here's an example of how your performance in the game can buy you some extra rope. Mond went on to have a solid 2nd half, exemplifying some redeeming qualities to finish the game with a couple quality throws. He wound up as the games MVP and his 2nd half performance will be enough for scouts to really try to understand who he is.

A player I was high on heading to Mobile was Penn State DE Shaka Toney. He had a forgettable week of practice, but when the lights came on and the game kicked off, he was one of the best players on the field.

According to Pro Football Focus, Toney ranked as the 3rd highest graded defender at the Senior Bowl.

Takeaway

My biggest takeaway from the Senior Bowl was that talent can come from anywhere. Play after play were being made by guys who, admittedly, I knew nothing about coming into the week.

For example, I spoke to South Dakota St. WR Cade Johnson before practice on Thursday. He told me a little bit about his story and eventually how that led him here to Mobile.

Lightly recruited out of high school, he attended an FCS where he had a stellar career. He received an invite to the Senior Bowl and took advantage of the situation.

He made arguably the catch of the week (above) with a stellar one handed catch in 1v1 drills, making veteran scouts yell “Ohhhh!” in unison.

Being around the scouts all week, those guys don’t make a single noise because they are sitting with their individual group of scouts, taking notes, and whispering amongst each other. So the fact that the entire scouting section audibly gasped and hollered at Cade’s catch, that was a pretty cool moment for the kid out of the FCS.

Walking away from one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, I came away loving the sport even more than I already did.

After an unprecedented year where life was flipped on its head -- being in Mobile for a week felt like normal life again.

To any fans of the NFL Draft who have thought about attending the Senior Bowl, I would definitely recommend it and should be on your bucket list.

I look forward to seeing you again next year, Mobile.

(Photo's by me)

49ers' Nick Bosa Attacks His Rehab (Video)

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:56:46 GMT

A bear sighting!

49ers' cornerstone DE Nick Bosa continues to bounce back from the ACL injury that took his 2020 season, playing against the New York Jets.

We have seen him progress throughout the offseason courtesy of his personal trainers (@Mostusspt).

Judging by his progression up to this point and of course barring any set-backs, it appears Bosa will be ready to go week 1 for the 2021 season.

Top Performers From Senior Bowl Week

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 02:41:45 GMT

Here are your top practices players of the week as voted on by the players.

Michael Vick Says Deshaun Watson Should Play For The 49ers

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 00:33:42 GMT

And just like that, the Deshaun Watson smoke is back.

As I mentioned in my article written earlier today:

Based on what Vick is saying, it is clear that people in Deshaun's camp would like to see him in San Francisco. My spider-senses told me the 49ers weren't out on Deshaun yet and it appears Deshaun isn't out on the 49ers yet.

Stay tuned.

H/T our friends over at 49erswebzone.com for the great find!

Why Matt Stafford To The 49ers Is Real Smoke

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 20:12:47 GMT

Multiple sources confirm that the 49ers are actively pursuing Matthew Stafford.

Where there is smoke, there is fire.

I wasn't even in Mobile for an hour before the Matthew Stafford smoke hit my nose.

As I was getting into my room my phone started to ring, I picked up and listened to how a well placed source had information that a "handshake" deal was in play between the 49ers and the Lions to acquire QB Matthew Stafford.

This prompted me to reach out to my source from the team side and it was confirmed that the 49ers were actively pursuing Matthew Stafford and Deshaun Watson.

Obviously, this was big news.

*John Lynch has entered the chat*

One of the dots to connect when the Stafford smoke started billowing out of Mobile was the fact that 49ers' GM John Lynch was in town and the feeling was that he wasn't here to scout players.

The word was that Lynch was in town to discuss the Matthew Stafford trade and we confirmed that John Lynch was indeed present at Senior Bowl practice.

Jimmy is most likely done in SF

With the 49ers clearly in the business of getting a new quarterback, the questions remains - what happens to Jimmy Garoppolo?

Based on the information I have continuously received all offseason, it is clear as day that Jimmy will not be on this team in 2021. You can track this back to a healthy Jimmy practicing in Arizona but ultimately shutting it down in order to not risk injury.

Based on everything I are hearing, it doesn't appear that a trade partner is materializing for the former fan favorite based on his contract and is proving very difficult to move.

All signs point to Jimmy being released when the 49ers acquire a new QB.

Wait, we offered Deshaun Watson?

Based on the information I have received earlier this week, the 49ers have been extremely active in pursuing Deshaun Watson.

The problem: the Texans want way to much

From everything I've heard, the Texans are asking for picks + multiple high-end players which the 49ers are not willing to move.

I have heard multiple offers have been sent back and fourth between the teams. Last I heard - Texans want too much.

We chase smoke

With the 49ers clearly looking to upgrade at the QB position, what does all this information mean?

As a football conspiracy theorist - I am always looking at things from multiple perspectives and trying to connect the dots.

With the Stafford smoke turning into a 4-alarm fire here in Mobile, I am very intrigued by how this information influences the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson.

Behind the scenes, I have heard that Deshaun prefers San Francisco as one of his ideal destinations, but it's clear as day that if the Texans are to trade Watson, they want kings ransom, plus more.

As we know, the media is a perfect tool to generate contractual leverage, which has seemingly been the case with Deshaun Watson. Part of me feels that the 49ers aren't out on Deshaun Watson just yet.

With Matthew Stafford entering the picture late, this hurts the Texans leverage because now there is another top-tier veteran QB available who likely can be had for less assets in a trade and comes with a cheaper price tag in regards to contract value.

Keep in mind, trades don't become official until March. You can agree to trades now, as we have seen in the past, they aren't official-official until the new league year begins.

So why do the Lions seemingly need to move Stafford so quickly?

And there it is....

Trading is about generating leverage which in-turn helps each team maximize the value of the trade.

You best believe that these GM's that have their asses on the line will do whatever it takes to "win" these trades. No one ever wants to be on the perceived "losing" side of the trade.

Just ask former Texans HC Bill O'Brien.

Senior Bowl Practice Week Recap: Offense

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 03:50:23 GMT

Many prospects shined during Senior Bowl Week.

Senior Bowl Recap:

The Senior Bowl has been something like I have never experienced before. Whether it's bumping shoulders with players, coaches, scouts, agents, writers, podcasters, or even 49ers' GM John Lynch and the teams personnel department, the Senior Bowl has been nothing short of a dream.

We will focus on Offense today and drop Defense tomorrow.

My Guys: It's impossible for me to go through the pre-draft process without me developing a "My Guys" list. With that being said, I think it's best to get started with a list of Senior Bowl participants that flashed through the first two days of practice.

Offensive Line

IOL - Quinn Meinerz - Wisonson-Whitewater: The second I saw his big gut hanging out of his jersey, I instantly knew he would be a guy that I would like. Quinn has been arguably the biggest riser at the Senior Bowl, catching the eye of everyone who is paying attention. He can play in any scheme at center or guard and be dominant as a day 1 starter. I see 1st round potential with the DIII kid.

IOL - Creed Humphrey - Oklahoma: Creed came to the Senior Bowl as one of the best centers entering the draft. He leaves the Senior Bowl in the same place. He will be a consistent pro and likely be the first center off the board, that is if he can keep Quinn off of his heels.

G/T - Carson Green - Texas A&M: I noticed Green on day 3 as it was a strong one for him. He won from both the G/T position in team and 1v1 drills. His body style and ability would translate well to the 49ers zone-run scheme as he can run block well but he is also a solid pass blocker.

G/T - Trey Smith - Tennessee: Smith was another day 3 standout who performed well all day. His versatility is something that stood out to me. I project him as a guard but has the ability to kick outside to Tackle and be successful.

G/T - Alaric Jackson - Iowa: I loved what I saw from Alaric as he is a very athletic and active OL that brings power as well. I can also see him filling out his frame more and adding some weight to be even better suited in the NFL.

Wide Receiver *This will be a long list so I will only highlight risers*

UAB - Austin Watkins Jr: Probably the biggest riser from the WR position at the Senior Bowl. Watkins showed everything that you want to see from a complete WR. He appeared to be a great teammates as well. My favorite example of this is when a RB got tripped up and went to the ground and he came rushing in to pick the RB up off the ground and literally shoved him towards the endzone to finish the run. That to me showed leadership. All day you could see DBs getting frustrated trying to cover the explosive Watkins to no avail. This guy balled out and is firmly on the "My Guys" list.

South Dakota State - Cade Johnson: One of my favorite guys here. Got the opportunity to talk to Cade a bit and it just made me like him even more. He probably had the best catch of the week. Excited to see what he does in the NFL.

ASU - Frank Darby: Probably the most energetic player on the field from both squads, Darby is always dancing or hyping up his players. I didn't perceive it to be a distraction, I see a guy in his element who loves what he does. We like guys like that. Big stock up for me.

Clemson - Amari Rodgers: He may have been the most polished WR I saw this week. A guy who will likely thrive out of the slot but can be used as WR1 and essentially all over the field. He's a playmaker. Period.

Houston - Marquez Stevenson: I was put on by my guy Zach Grier about Stevenson right before I came to Mobile. His speed was that apparent on tape and it absolutely translated to the field. He showed up and showed out and confirmed he is much more than just a fast guy. He showed toughness at the point of attack as well the ability to make contested catches. I will be watching him closely throughout the process.

South Carolin - Shi Smith: Another South Carolina baller. Are you shocked? Shi was lighting up DBs in 1v1 and proved to be a lethal threat. Has a little T.Y. Hilton vibe to him.

UCLA - Demtric Felton: A RB/WR hybrid who blew up 1v1 drills early in the week. He is someone who has scouts intrigued based on his explosive ability, similarly to Colts RB Nyheim Hines.

Florida - Kadarious Toney

Florida - Trevon Grimes

Alabama - DeVonta Smith

Western Michigan - Dwayne Eskridge

Wake Forest - Sage Surratt

Quarterbacks

Alabama - Mac Jones : He was the best QB out there this week. Mac continues to be a slightly above average QB and I think that's how he projects in the NFL. He can be a middle-tier NFL starter who can can operate a complex scheme and make the necessary throws behind a potent running attack.

Running Backs

Michigan - Chris Evans : This was a guy who popped for me the first day I was at practice. I saw RB with really good size, speed, vision, you name it. He seemed like he could navigate all the junk at the LOS very well and find his lanes with ease. I came away liking him a lot and someone I will study further.

Virginia Tech - Khalil Herbert: I really liked Herbert coming in and he continued to prove a very solid runner and blocker. I did however notice some drop issues. I will go back in his tape and see if that was a problem throughout his career.

Alabama - Najee Harris: "Are you the GM?" - Najee. If you know, you know.

North Carolina - Michael Carter: Stud. Will be a great threat as a receiver out of the backfield. Smaller back so it will be interesting to see if he can be a three down back in the league.

Oklahoma - Rhamondre Stevenson: The Panthers coaching staff seemed to really like this kid. He is a big back but moves much better than his size would suggest. He will be someone to watch during the game on Saturday.

There were a few more backs that also looked good: Texas A&M - Kvlin Hill / Louisiana - Larry Rountree III

Tight Ends

Boise State - John Bates: Bates doesn't stand out from a measurable's standpoint, but the just continued to win his matchups. He was a consistent threat in the pass game while holding up well as a blocker.

Georgia - Tre McKitty: He had an amazing one-handed grab. You will see his catch from Mac Jones under the QB section. He looked more like a WR than a TE at times. Very talented player.

We are going to drop Defense tomorrow!

(All photos by me!)

TheSFNiners Mock Draft 1.0

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 20:01:25 GMT

Mock Draft SZN is upon us!

If our first mock draft of the year even closely resembles the actual draft, the 49ers will be set up for a quick turnaround in 2021.

But we expect these rankings to change dramatically over the next few months so this will be our starting point for the beginning of DraftSZN.

Setting the stage:

No trades being projected yet. We head into this mock draft with Jimmy Garoppolo as the only 49ers starting QB at this time. No QB trades accounted for.

The 49ers need to add depth at WR - DB - OL - EDGE with all the teams impending free agents in 2021.

Here is how we would build through the draft:

Pick 12 - QB NDSU Trey Lance

A large portion of the fanbase explodes with excitement as this would be the highest the 49ers have drafted a QB since Colin Kaepernick in 2011 NFL Draft.

Trey has been tagged as a "project" by some but that is only because he played in the FCS and opted out of the 2020 season.

Don't get it twisted, Trey Lance is one of the most talented QB prospects in this class but he needs to answer a few more questions. Arm talent and athletic ability won't be one of those questions - I'll want to know how he mentally grasps the pro game and handle the pressure of being in the spotlight - opposed to being on the snowy plains in North Dakota.

Pick 44 - Center Alabama Landon Dickenson

The 49ers OL had to do a lot of shuffling last season due to injury. With starting center Weston Richburg unavailable for the entire year, the team turned to Ben Garland who did a fantastic job at center but was unfortunately injured early in the year. Brunskill had to shift down to play center for the remainder of the year as a result.

The hope is that Trent Williams re-signs; Laken Tomlinson - Dan Brunskill - Mike McGlinchey - Ben Garland - Justin Skule - Colton McKivitz should all be returning.

Adding a physical beast like Dickerson could suit the 49ers well. I can tell you that Landon will become one of the best OL in the NFL so getting him in the 2nd is a steal. If you need proof, go ahead and turn on the Alabama vs South Carolina tape and watch him stonewall Javon Kinlaw over and over again from the RG position. He can play all 5 positions across the line so he would be an extremely valuable selection for the 49ers here.

Pick 102 - EDGE Penn State Shaka Toney *DRAFT CRUSH DROP*

Draft Crush SZN is officially upon us and Shaka is at the top of my list. He has to be the most under the radar prospect I have come across in this years class, getting out-shadowed by his teammates Parsons - Oweh.

My instagram followers may recall a "Draft Crush Alert" over a month ago, well this is my guy.

Shaka checks every single box for me in regards to speed/bend/technique/awareness/heart/leadership - Whatever it is, he has it and is special. He should not be this low but I take advantage of his perceived value and run to the podium to select him.

Shaka is my favorite prospect ever from an EQ evaluation.

“He’s an amazing leader,” Wade said (teammate). “He’s great at controlling a group of men, getting guys under his wing, getting guys to go to a certain standard. There’s something about him, that gravitational pull, whatever it is, that he’s phenomenal with. He’s a 100% stand-up guy.”

Shaka is currently my favorite prospect in the entire draft.

Pick 116 - WR Florida Gators Trevon Grimes

Trevon Grimes has quietly been one of my favorite prospects over the course of the 2020 season. Grimes represents this new breed of basketball shooting forwards who have opted to play WR instead.

The size and athletic ability is apparent and jumps right off the screen. He is a high-point magician who will challenge for any ball thrown his way.

With the 49ers seemingly need to retool the WR room, with many players likely to be on new teams in 2021 and with the news of Deebo Samuel headed for surgery, you best believe the 49ers will be looking for additional WR help in the draft/FA.

Grimes fits more of your Jauan Jennings profile but feel Grimes is a more fluid athlete - same kind of dawg.

Pick 155 - S Virginia Tech Divine Deablo

Arguably the best name in the draft and rumors of tartt's time in SF being officially closed, we focus on bringing in a Safety who can play beside Jimmie Ward.

Deablo is a raw prospect but someone I can definitely see starting on Sundays. The 6'3" stud Safety can come downhill with the best of them. He proves to be a great asset when helping in the run game or playing from within the box. He also hold up well in coverage and has solid movement skills for a DB of that size.

Definitely a more rigid athletic profile but I think he can slot into Tartt's role and challenge for day 1 snaps. This kid has real potential.

Pick 171 - RB Virginia Tech Khalil Herbert

Some of you could be noticing a trend, I like a lot of Virginia Tech players this year. Herbert became the first Hokie since 2015 to rush for 1,000 yards with his tally of 1,204 in 2020 - Earned Second Team All-ACC as an all-purpose performer and Third Team as a RB.

One of my favorite things about Herbert is his blocking ability and willingness to block. This will go a long way for scouts as certain coaches won't even put a talented RB on the field if they can't execute their protection responsibilities. That won't be a problem with Herbert.

Herbert has skills that will translate to the zone-sheme perfectly. He's not burner but he is an extremely patient runner who knows how to pick and choose his lane, then explode through. I think Shanahan will like him a lot.

Pick 179 - CB Florida Gators Marco Wilson

Yes, the same Marco Wilson who cost his team a shot at the National Championship game because he threw a shoe. Arguably one of the biggest bone-headed plays I have ever seen in my lifetime.

So why take him? The value is amazing here. Marco Wilson is a good CB with all the traits you want and appears to be scheme diverse. A very active player, has a nose for the football and is not afraid of tackling like the former #3 Gator who came before him. The talent and skill is there.

The questions come about the person and this will be his biggest hurdle. You are taught to protect your team at all costs and his selfishness and lack of situational awareness led to his team missing the Natty. He will have a lot of growing before a team can trust him by taking him with a high draft selection. High-risk/High-reward Prospect.

Pick 193 - WR BYU Dax Milne

I think Zach Wilson's WR1 needs to be a little higher than this but he was not so I swooped.

I think Dax definitely has the tools to be a solid possession WR in the NFL and does a lot of things very well. He reminds me of former Cal WR and Jared Goff's former WR1 - Chad Hansen. Chad Hansen finally got an oppertunity to see snaps this season with the Texans and played extremely well. If Dax lands in the right spot, he can be a contributor for years in the NFL.

Pick 226 - DB Syracuse Trill Williams

Trill's name fits him well because these guy is really trill on the field. He is an absolute dawg. He loves to body people and make plays.

He passes the eye test from a measurable stand-point. I think he may project best to safety in the NFL but could play CB or Nickel CB as well. I think he's best suited for zone scheme's which the 49ers currently implement. Would love to see him on the squad at this value.

Pick 236 - WR North Texas Jaelon Darden

If you have been following along on Instagram, you already know that Jaelon is a "my guy".

He will be knocked for his size the entire process being 5'9" and if you have followed us for awhile, you know what we think of measurable - they are nice but not the end all be all for any prospect. You either can play or you can't and Jaelon is a baller.

Not only does he have great speed but his a legit WR with great routes and hands. He is a guy who will make you team day 1 as returner but can be a deadly slot for any team that uses him that way. He was sitting there so I had to take him.

Recap:

As you can see I prioritized building DB/WR depth through the draft.

Day 1 starters: Lance - Dickerson - Toney

Year 1 Contributors: Grimes - Darden - Milne - Herbert - Wilson - Trill - Deablo

Let us know what you think of the Mock Draft on Social Media!!

49ers' Kyle Shanahan "Really Liked Sam Darnold"

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 22:55:03 GMT

Move The Sticks Podcast dropped some "intel" that I hadn't heard before.

Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah of Move The Sticks podcast dropped some interesting context to the New York Jets situation that I was not aware of.

Both of these guys are two of the most connected media scouts that cover the NFL so I trust when they say something like this over the airwaves. Apparently it is known information that Kyle Shanahan holds former USC QB in high regard.

With the obvious connection between the Jets and 49ers, could there be a path for the former top 5 pick in Darnold find his way back to the West Coast?

With tons of cap space and news dropping today of the Jets being Deshaun Watson's #1 landing spot, Robert Saleh finds himself with a ton of leverage heading into the draft.

49ers' Jerick McKinnon On If He Will Be Back With The Team: "F*ck No"

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 03:32:54 GMT

That's one way to leave a lasting impression.

Welp.

San Francisco 49ers' RB Jerick McKinnon joined teammate Deebo Samuel's Instagram live and created a bit of a stir amongst 49ers fans.

McKinnon was never able to get solid footing after tearing his ACL in his first offseason with the 49ers. McKinnon wound up spending back-to-back seasons on the injured reserve list while the 49ers honored his contract.

In his only available year, we saw Jerick's contributions be extremely minimal to say the least. Jet did show some flashes of his old self during the beginning of the year but didn't contribute much after that. He racked up a total of 331 rushing yards and 5 TDs in 2020.

Over last 6 regular season games of 2020, Jet only rushed 4 times and caught 8 passes.

Just recently, team leader Jimmie Ward was also on Instagram Live talking about how the 49ers front office needs to "Come Correct" with teammate Jason Verrett's contract as the CB is a free agent.

As we discussed with the Ward-Verrett video, we continue to see a trend of players seemingly having a negative tone towards the front office.

We will continue to monitor these situations closely.

Draft Gems: Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 22:37:13 GMT

It's #DraftCrushSZN ladies and gentleman!

Draft SZN has been taken over by the Deshaun Watson smoke but we are here to get the train back on the tracks.

With the NFL Draft starting to gain hype with the Reese's Senior Bowl quickly approaching, it is time to kick our draft prep into high gear.

I take a look at one of my favorite prospects in this class and someone who could definitely be in play for the 49ers with the 12th overall pick.

Virginia Tech | CB Caleb Farley | 6'2" 197 LBS

Stats: 23 Games - 56 TOT - 6 INT - 19 PD

Accolades: 2019 First Team All-ACC - Led all ACC defenders is pass deflections in 2019 (16) | Tied for 2nd in ACC with INTs in 2019 (4) - Opted out of 2020 season

First Impression:

Virginia Tech Caleb Farley will be someone who is prominently placed at the top of the CB prospect list among draft scouts. There are a couple of high-profile CB's in this class but we will take a look at what makes Farley the best prospect at his position.

Here's a guy that checks pretty much every one of my boxes when I am looking for a CB prospect.

Pros:

- Size/Athletic Profile

- integrity/Heart

- Scheme/Position Diverse/Trait Versatility

- Entire bag of tools for an elite CB

- Motor doesn't stop

- Development is still in progress, will get better

- Thrives in Press-Man Coverage

- Speed-turn is special

- High Football IQ

- If beat initially - typically recovers and maintains proper positioning

- Has ability/tools to become elite zone CB

- Always looks for PBU - active hands when ball arrives to WR

The first thing that immediately jumped off the tape was his athletic ability combined with pure tenacity. These are two of the main components/traits to look for in CB prospects.

Caleb has every tool to cover any WR type. I loved watching his 2019 matchup against then Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool. I feel in the NFL that he will be best suited as an outside cornerback in both man/zone concepts but I can see him move into the slot and cover elite TEs and/or slot WRs. The fact that he can do this becomes very valuable to any team in todays NFL.

High School QB - College WR - Elite NFL CB Prospect

Farley put up insane numbers for a duel-threat QB in HS: 2,574 rushing yards - Added 37 touchdowns on the ground to go along with 1,776 passing yards and 21 touchdown.

Caleb's background will be an important part of his evaluation which will leave scouts licking their chops regarding his ceiling.

I see the "dawg" in Farley. I see his heart when he plays. We will touch on his personal life further down in the post but I can assure you that based on his previous experience in life, in football, and outside of it - I believe you can throw anything at him and he will find a way to rise above it.

He has "it".

Below you can see his elite athletic ability combined with technique to ensure he could recover and gain proper position and break up the pass. Richard Sherman is infamous for doing speed turns.

Farley only played two seasons at CB in his entire football career so his arrow is still pointing up in regards to positional development. He is not a finished product and thats what will be exciting to scouts.

Farley excels at man coverage which is much more physically demanding than playing in zone. His ability allows him to mirror any WR he faced.

Cons:

- Experience

- Can be overzealous when trying to jump routes with anticipation

- Bites on double-moves at times

- Tends to dip shoulder when tackling in open space

- Hands in press aren't super strong - more of a slap

- Not an "physical" CB but will absolutely get his nose dirty

- Needs to continue to develop technique

- Needs work on disengaging from blocks

- Opted-out of 2020 season

There is no such thing as a perfect prospect. Every player enters the league at their own place in their development and Caleb is definitely a "developmental" prospect.

To be clear, if he was a "Finished Product" heading into this draft, he would still likely be a 1st round pick. His traits are undeniable.

Most perceived "Con" listed is all technically driven. I believe Farley has the mentality and integrity to stay working on his craft and has the drive to get better, arguably the most important attribute when scouting prospects.

EQ Evaluation:

This will be a something that we focus heavily on that many other scouts and/or draft sites don't discuss too often.

Emotional intelligence (otherwise known as emotional quotient or EQ) is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict.

Typically, draft analysis is focused around physical traits. However, if there is anything I have learned about scouting, it doesn't matter how good you are, how elite your traits are. If you don't have the right mental capacity and integrity that is required to play at a high level, it is not uncommon for a prospect to not be able to adjust to the mental demands of the NFL.

This is the hardest part of scouting. It is however one of the most important aspects of measuring perceived value, and how that player will adjust to the everyday struggles of developing into a solid NFL Player.

Caleb Farley's Story

When you watch the video below, you will become an instant fan of Caleb Farley.

His mother passed away in 2018 from breast cancer. The mental fortitude and perseverance he has shown since that terrible tragedy makes me believe that he can handle absolutely anything on the football field that is thrown at him.

Looking at the psychology involved when dealing with massive personal loss - you have to applaud Caleb's mental strength and the support system he has behind him that has allowed him to persevere through the toughest thing he will likely ever have to endure.

From an EQ evaluation - Caleb passes with flying colors and I believe this will help propel him towards continued success and growth while in the NFL.

Is someone cutting onions?

Draft Projection: Top 15 Pick

Pro Player Comp: Bears CB Kyle Fuller

Role/Scheme Fit: Outside Cornerback - Scheme Diverse

Position Rank: #1 Ranked CB in 2021 Class

Let us know if you agree/disagree on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook!

Beware Of The Deshaun Watson Smoke

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:32:53 GMT

When you chase smoke, it's important not to get burned.

The Deshaun Watson and 49ers connection has been taken to new heights recently as we all know what occurred last week with Deshaun seemingly flirting with the 49ers fanbase, commenting on photos of him wearing a 49ers jersey.

Furthermore, reports surfaced on Saturday morning and continue to come out that Deshaun is essentially done in Houston, opening the door for a lot of excitement for 49ers fans.

Being a professional Smoke Chaser, we know how to read these situations to ensure we don't get burned and we would like to ensure you armor yourselves for potential disappointment regarding Deshaun Watson.

Connect The Dots

I am interpreting the last few days of the Deshaun Watson saga as being an extremely calculated effort by Watson and his team. Essentially a social media marketing strategy, if you will.

Coming from the marketing world and clearly having an understanding of social media marketing, strategies, and trends, I can see what his team has put together and executed.

It's game-changing.

We know a thing or two about hyping up an article.

I think we just saw that same play from Deshaun Watson in correlation to the Sports Illustrated article that was dropped Saturday morning letting the world know Deshaun is done in Houston.

Deshaun and his team have put together a great strategy in order to prime the world for his message via SI.com.

For example, Deshaun used commenting on a 49ers fan page on Instagram and twitter sub-posts to get the world ready to hear and accept his message.

Guess what, it worked perfectly and Deshaun Watson has the media targeting Texan's ownership and management, rather than the typical rhetoric; shut up and honor your contract narrative.

It's absolutely brilliant what he has done and has completely swung power from ownership to player with little effort and this is something every single player should be paying attention to.

He's done this all using the power of social media, something him and his representation deserve credit for.

Deshaun is represented by Super Agent David Mulugheta.

Hot Tub Time Machine

The year is 2017, the Jimmy Garoppolo led San Francisco 49ers were fresh off of beating the Jacksonville Jaguars on Christmas Eve 44-33 .

Garoppolo threw two touchdown passes and ran for another TD against arguably the leagues best defense, led by budding superstar CB Jalen Ramsey - who is represented by agent David Mulugheta .

This was also the game that the Jags famously referred to as the 'hat & t-shirt' game. If you don't understand the reference, it means the Jags wanted to clinch their division and playoff seeding in the AFC by beating the 49ers at home on Christmas Eve.

The point is, there was already some animosity heading into game week as the 49ers took this comment personally and wanted to spoil the Jags aspirations of clinching on the road and they did exactly that.

Right about then is when Jimmy-Mania exploded and 49ers' fans fell in love with the quarterback. The media also fell in love Jimmy after he took a team with 1 win prior to being traded from the Patriots to the 49ers and proceeded to rattle off 5 straight wins with an underwhelming roster and rookie head coach and GM.

Jalen Wasn't Very Impressed

Jimmy-Mania led to Garoppolo showing up on the NFL's Top 100 list for that season, which is voted on by the players.

Let's just say Jalen Ramsey wasn't impressed by Jimmy's selection on the list:

The Social Media Era

What we have seen in recent days, recent months or even years for that matter if you cover sports closely, social media is taking over which is what prompted my personal journey that has now led to what is the 'TheSFNiners' brand.

These players' accounts are becoming marketing powerhouses that NFL teams won't be able to keep up with much longer.

Deshaun is showing us in real time the value of a "social impression" and what it can do for your brand, positively or negatively. Social Media also gives us as fans the ability to speak back to these players and drive our own narratives for these situations.

T he situation with Jalen Ramsey was the first time I personally noticed how much influence these platforms really had.

As I am sure you could imagine, I stood up for Jimmy and asked my followers to go comment " 44-33 " on Ramsey's page.

Well, as a result of my request from my followers, we absolutely took over his Instagram page with hundreds, if not thousand of " 44-33 " comments.

This was my first "Oh Shit" moment when it came to running this account and the community that we built and fostered together starting back in early 2018.

As I am sure you can guess, I was blocked by Jalen and currently still am but that didn't stop the entire 49ers fanbase coming after Jalen Ramsey on social media.

Understanding the marketing side, I would have to imagine Jalen's entire team was involved in monitoring this situation as this was a PR hit that was still new at the time.

Getting "roasted" by the internet was still in its infancy, compared to where it is now.

The 49ers social team went all in and we loved every second of it.

#FamilyTies

*David Mulugeta has entered the chat*

Some people may be wondering why we keep talking about the agent and here is where we connect all the dots.

Take a look at the first two names on that Clients list. The 49ers fanbase have spent A LOT of time trolling Jalen Ramsey and Budda Baker.

Internet trolling is something that external sources have to monitor. Those people who monitor these situations are likely a players agent and/or agency.

I have followed Mulugheta on social media since Deshaun entered the league with him as his agent. Since then, I have watched Mulugeta sign young talent after young talent and has now built an empire of young superstars as a result. He spearheaded Deshaun's massive contract with the Texans as well.

He's absolutely a legit agent with strong Texas ties and promotes family .

I have observed that he and his players truly operate like family and know they frequently use the slogan "Family Ties" .

Remember This Picture?

Oh, 49ers fans should remember the Earl Thomas situation.

Earl Thomas followed a similar gameplan, if you compare it to what Deshaun is doing right now.

Thomas followed, commented, and liked 49ers fan page accounts - creating massive buzz within the community as a result.

Sound familiar?

He liked Instagram Posts showing jersey swaps of himself in Niner gear like the one above. (Artist: Jeffrey Rose)

He even followed 49ers GM John Lynch on twitter:

49ers' fans were infatuated with the thought of poaching another member from the LOB. All this buzz surrounding 49ers Instagram fan pages translated into legitimate real hype from fans that poured over into the media.

I know Niner fans remember Earl Thomas from the Seahawks, the LOB, and the 49ers entire fanbases' destain for him and that group.

Add another one of Mulugehta's clients to the 49ers fanbase "shit list". #FamilyTies

Earl Thomas got us so hyped up that he was seriously considering coming to the 49ers, I even pre-made a post for when the 49ers signed him - had the copy all pre-written and everything...

Maybe now you are starting to see the dots I am connecting.

The 49ers fanbase as a whole has went after a lot of Mulugheta's clients.

One thing about social media that I have tracked, people typically have an easy time remembering who talked bad about them or disrespected them on a social platform. And because it goes out onto the internet - it's there forever and It also makes it very easy to keep receipts.

Well, 49ers fans are really good at disrespecting players they don't like and I am sure Mulugheta's team is very aware of us (49ers fans).

So considering the #FamilyTies motto and lifestyle, the network of players under Mulugheta and how his clients have used this strategy before with the 49ers - I've watched Deshaun and his representation execute each step of their strategy with a strong understanding of what they are trying to accomplish - I've seen this play before.

The ultimate goal of getting his clients paid requires their agency to create and find leverage for your clients to accomplish a player getting a max-value deal.

*The leverage has entered the chat*

Although there is no apparent connection between agents, there is a definite connection between players Tyrann Matheiu and Deshaun Watson. Tyrann Matheiu and Deshaun Watson are closely tied from their time on the Texans together.

Tyrann also did not get re-signed by the Texans after putting in a solid year and would end up signing with the Chiefs.

I would assume Tyrann has some stake in wanting to see the Texans crumble from the inside-out.

As we have weaved our way through this story, you can see see how there are a lot of dots to connect in regards to why Deshaun is using the social media to create buzz - including using 49ers' fan pages.

Beware Of The Smoke

With the experience dealing with Earl Thomas flirting with the 49ers situation from an agent who is also representing Deshaun Watson - a player trying to force his way out of a franchise similarly to what we saw with Earl Thomas, I am very cautious of how Deshaun is working this leverage.

You have to look at everything you see from multiple perspectives and really try to obtain the full context because context truly matters in these situations.

We have identified a pattern from clients represented by David Mulugheta and we are keeping that in mind to ensure that we don't get burned by it and know how to properly analyze the situation.

The Ultimate Decision Makers

Again, Deshaun flirting with the 49ers is exciting but it's important to not have unrealistic expectations about acquiring a player like Deshaun Watson.

Below, a questions is asked to Kyle Shanahan about passing on QB Patrick Mahomes - we all understand how closely tied Deshaun and Mahomes are to the 49ers and this regime passing on both the superstar QB's in the 2017 draft.

Kyle has shared very similar comments specifically about Deshaun, like he mentions about Mahomes below.

Not only does Kyle address the situation and provide context into why he passed, you also have to look back the Bleacher Report article indicating a disconnect over Kyle and John's process in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Clearly there was truth to the above rumor because Kyle addressed it and admitted to passing on the superstar QB's due to his infatuation with Kirk Cousins - A QB that does not resemble the traits of Deshaun or Mahomes, even in the slightest.

We have talked at length about Kyle's "type" of Qb and we are starting to believe it's a real thing. Whether it was Matt Ryan, Brian Hoyer, Jimmy Garoppolo, CJ Beathard, Nick Mullens, etc - they all have very similar traits that are distinctly different than Mahomes/Watson.

Yes, Kyle had RG3 - Kyle didn't like RG3 and his play style which is well documented.

I understood that about RG3 when we hired Kyle, which is why I knew he wouldn't take either QB prospect based on their traits and how their traits "don't ideally translate" to his scheme.

But again, nothing Kyle has ever done would indicate to me that he is interested in Deshaun Watson at the floated asking price by the media.

Ultimately, I would assume the asking price for Deshaun will be too high, just like the Bleacher Report trade scenario that was floated today.

What we need to keep in the front of our minds while we process this situation:

- Is there more context to Deshaun flirting with the 49ers than just wanting out of Texas?

- Does Deshaun really want to come to the 49ers?

- Is Deshaun using the 49ers as a leverage piece?

- Does Deshaun and his representation hold a grudge against the 49ers for not being interested in their client during the 2017 draft?

- Does Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch want to leverage the future for Deshaun Watson when they showed no interest during the 2017 draft?

- Do Kyle and John admit their mistake by passing on the generational QB's and risk their futures further as a result for someone they could have had for a bargain?

This situation is extremely complex and like Robert Saleh says - "The NFL Is A Precious League. Every Detail Matters."

This saga is just beginning and who knows how this plays out but there is a lot that needs to happen for Deshaun Watson to be a Niner in 2021.

The trends would tell me that it is unlikely to happen, although nothing would shock me in the NFL.

Just make sure you are protected from the smoke so you don't get burned.

49ers' Jimmie Ward Tells GM John Lynch to 'Come Correct' When Discussing A Contract With Jason Verrett

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 20:09:45 GMT

Jimmie Ward is a man of the people and we love him for it.

Jimmie Ward took to Instagram live last night (1/16) and gave 49ers' fans a show.

Ward challenged fans to find a better safety than him at his price tag and it created a fun back and fourth between the player and fans.

49ers' WR Brandon Aiyuk was even taking playful shots at Jimmie Ward in the comments for the duration of the live. It was good-hearted entertainment.

It truly was a lot of fun being able to listen to a player speak candidly like Jimmie did. I think we need more of that in today's NFL. These guys have the tools and platform now, let them drive their own narratives and create their own voices.

It did get a little spicy when impending free agent CB Jason Verrett joined Jimmie Ward's live and Jimmie asked Jason what is at the front of all 49ers' fans minds:

Will the 49ers front office #PayJasonVerrett? Take a look below from last night and you be the judge.

This conversation can be interpreted many ways but what I take away from this and what appears to be a common theme from players - the front office doesn't appear to 'come correct' when presenting important players with initial contracts.

This is important because in a league rooted in alpha rules and ideologies from a players perspective - if you don't 'come correct' , it is perceived as disrespect by the player - yet another trend.

I come from the business world and understand that it's just as cutthroat upstairs as it is in-between the lines. The front office is operating off a completely different set of rules where 'coming correct' is a bad business model.

There is happy middle ground and I think the 49ers front office may be struggling to properly assess what they are doing to their own players.

This definitely isn't the first time I have heard this regarding players relationship with the front office, nor is this the first time a player has publicly spoken directly at the front office with this tone.

And with big time free agents needing to secure the bag, you really have to wonder if the 49ers will be there to give it to them and/or attempt to not disrespect them in the process.

Tracking the trends will tell you , they will more than likely pass on giving certain guys a lucrative contract.

Don't be shocked if Trent Williams and Jason Verrett aren't on this team next year and it has nothing to do with them wanting them to be here or me wanting them to be here.

With free agency coming up in March, you have to follow these trends in order to try and properly predict all possible outcomes.

----

Jimmy Ward image via Alex Tran - @49grams

Deshaun Watson Wants Out Of Houston

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 18:59:00 GMT

Where there is smoke, there is fire.

After Sports Illustrated dropped a juicy article regarding the drama surrounding Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans this morning, they have confirmed what we have all believed, that Deshaun wants out of Houston for good.

Here is probably the most spicy quote from the entire article:

All of this coming after Deshaun Watson stirred the pot on Twitter and Instagram just the day before.

If you (Deshaun) knew a big article was about to drop about you and your stance with your current organization, what better way to hype up NFL followers the day before by commenting on other teams instagram fan pages and dropping lyrics that resemble a previous headline made about Deshaun Watson's anger levels with the Texans.

We see through the smoke.

This is all calculated and we are watching a superstar QB personally maneuver his way out of a franchise by swaying public opinion via social media.

Deshaun Watson posted rap lyrics from a song by Future that coincidently matched a quote referencing Watson's anger levels with the Texans organization.

We officially know that Deshaun Watson will force his way out of Houston.

Now we try to guess where he will play in 2021.

Deshaun Watson Flirting With The 49ers?

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 17:09:27 GMT

Deshuan Watson is enjoying #SmokeSZN

Deshaun Fans The Flames of SmokeSZN!

This is not the first time we have seen prominent players flirt with 49ers IG accounts when it comes to players looking for a change of scenery.

Whether it was Antonio Brown, Earl Thomas, or countless others, we have seen this play many times but this may be the first time we have seen it from a superstar QB in the prime of his career.

Clearly Deshaun is using social media to drive his message. We also understand the strategy he is executing.

This is how you garner public perception and ignite a fanbase to swing hard in your direction, with little to no effort.

Deshaun is playing the game and we are here to follow the smoke and break it all down.

49ers Find New DC, Saleh Jets For New York Head Coaching Job

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 04:06:46 GMT

Robert Saleh heads east and will land with Jets.

Reports surfaced tonight from Josina Anderson that now former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will become the next head coach of the New York Jets.

Right as Niners fans began to feel sadness consume them, Ian Rapoport delivered us a gift.

49ers' new defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has been on the 49ers coaching staff since Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch entered the picture in 2017.

Ryans started out as a defensive quality control coach in '17 and then was promoted to Inside LBs coach the following season, where he has been ever since.

Personally, this was the replacement for Saleh that I was hoping for. I am always in favor for promoting from within. This allows us to keep continuity within the scheme which translates to more comfort for everyone in the building. I am sure Ryans will put his own flavor on this defense but the base concepts and language will likely remain the same.

Ryans was a former All-World NFL LB himself. I am sure a lot of people can look at Ryans and see that he has fingerprints all over Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw's development.

I am excited to see what he can do with a healthy group in 2021.

Why Deshaun Watson Has A Real Shot At Being A Niner In 2021

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 20:52:55 GMT

The connections between the 49ers and Texans may be more real than some realize.

There has been one topic that has dominated discussions surrounding the 49ers since Jimmy Garoppolo was injured during the 2020 season - Who will be the 49ers quarterback in 2021?

As speculation continues to swirl around Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans future, I take a deep dive into the Jimmy Garoppolo situation and how it leaves the door wide open for a potential blockbuster trade that would have the league shook.

The tweet from Deshaun Watson that started the fire:

The above tweet was deleted the next day.

There are multiple layers you need to look at when a player sub-tweets to social media because in today's world, players are starting to control their own narratives more and more with these platform's and it's important to be able to quantify what these hidden messages could mean.

The first thing I took into account was the timing of the tweet. Deshaun Watson fired off his spicy tweet after the Texans announced the hiring of new GM, former Bill Belichick right-hand man, Nick Casario.

And this is where the connection to the 49ers begins:

When I saw the timing of the GM announcement from the Texans and the starting QBs tweet, I knew something was up.

I already understood Deshaun Watson's vibe towards the Texans prior to this tweet.

He was clearly upset about the DeAndre Hopkins trade after finding out about the transaction via twitter. Deshaun was very outspoken in regards to the trade rumors surrounding his close friend/WR Will Fuller and what impact it would have on the Texans organization if the speedy WR was moved.

Deshaun Watson speaking openly about his distain of the potential trade told me two things:

The Texans were actively shopping Fuller against Deshaun's wishes
There was a clear disconnect between the star QB and ownership (Former HC/GM Bill O'Brien had already been fired)

Below is when the #SmokeChasers first responded to this situation:

Deshaun is someone I have always held in high regard, as he was one of my all-time favorite college players and prospects.

You'll also hear me talk a lot about "Dynasty Fantasy Football". Because of my interests in both the NFL Draft and Dynasty, it allows me to evaluate players without 49ers-colored goggles.

I own Deshaun Watson in my most important Dynasty league and I am very protective of "my guys", which also translates into me knowing everything that these players have done since entering the league. This will be Deshaun's 4th year as my starting QB in a two-QB dynasty league. This is how I play GM. Deshaun is like a son to me.

The point being I have been tracking this situation far prior to the Deshaun Watson tweet just a couple days ago.

As we sit today, it's crystal clear that this situation is absolutely real and the smoke has led us to massive nuclear fire.

Based on how I have tracked Deshaun's career to this point, I 100% BELEIVE THAT DESHAUN WATSON WILL BE PLAYING QUARTERBACK FOR ANOTHER NFL TEAM IN 2021.

THE CONNECTION - BOSTON BRED

Oh, Jimmy.

Who would have thought we would be in this situation that we find ourselves in today.

As I think back to last years NFC Championship game, my son and I left Levi's Stadium after the 49ers punched their ticket to the Super Bowl - feeling great about the future of the 49ers led by Jimmy Garoppolo at QB.

Jimmy wound up barely playing in 2020 due to a high ankle sprain. He attempted to return but it was clear that it was still bothering him and the 49ers proceeded to put Jimmy on ice.

After an entire offseason of Super Bowl nightmares and constant updates of players getting injured, tension amongst the fanbase and media came to a boiling point.

With sub-optimal QB play for the 49ers all season, all fans had left was to dream about what "could be" with a healthy starting QB.

As I am constantly reminded by the league, everything can change in the blink of an eye.

If there is anything that I've learned about Kyle and John's tendencies when speaking to the media about player transactions and/or future player aspirations with the team, they tell you exactly what you want to hear.

But this isn't the first smoke signal I've ever chased down.

Whether it's leaving Ruggs/Jeudy/Bowden on their TV's in their home offices when giving the faithful a tour of their quarantined set-up, then distributed the video to the world - These dudes are gamers . They absolutely know and understand the game within the game and how certain messages push certain narratives that benefit what they are trying to accomplish. They are pro's and this is exactly how it should be done too. It's how I would do it if I was GM.

But we can see past that part and here is where Kyle, John, Jimmy and his camp all showed their cards, in my opinion.

My *Lightbulb* Moment

Watching what appeared to be a healthy Garoppolo practicing in the Arizona sun indicated to me that Jimmy's time with the 49ers could really be done.

This video above was my *lightbulb* moment.

Looking at a guy (Jimmy) in that video flipping his hips back and fourth, which requires a lot of strength and force driven from the calf/ankle area, I see a guy who can go out and sling it on Sunday.

He just showed me the full range of motion and I don't see any limitations from a high ankle sprain that would keep him out. Keeping in mind, he played an entire half of football with a high ankle sprain.

This was also at the time the 49ers almost had no healthy QBs:

- Nick Mullens goes down for the year

- CJ Beathard becomes 3rd starting QB for the 49ers of 2020

- Josh Johnson goes to the Covid List

- Jimmy still 'unable' to play

- Kyle Juszczyk becomes emergency QB

- Team signs Josh Rosen off of Tampa's PS mid-week (only other active QB that following Sunday w/ Beathard)

And being the 5th-dimensional thinker that I am, I start asking myself - Why isn't Jimmy Garoppolo playing if he's healthy?

I've Seen This Movie

We watched the 2016 San Francisco 49ers sputter to a dismal 1-4 start with Blaine Gabbert leading the troops.

I watched Blaine Gabbert be a walking disaster and couldn't understand why the QB (Kaepernick) who was "built" to run Chip Kelly's college-style spread offense rode the bench.

You're telling me a guy who was the only player in NCAA history to throw for 10,000 yards and rush for 4,000 yards couldn't beat out Blaine FREAKING Gabbert?

I didn't buy it.

It wasn't until the front office literally ripped up Kaepernick's contract, I realized why Colin couldn't sniff the field - It was because of the injury language in his contract. This made sense since the player and team had a dispute over an injury in the offseason leading up to the 2016 season.

When the 49ers were cleared of any injury liabilities and specific language related to injury guarantee's in his contract, Kaepernick was immediately named the starter and started the following week.

This ensured the 49ers wouldn't get locked into another year of Kaepernick in the event of a catastrophic injury and also provided an out in the contract.

This is where the business side of football meets the field and further explains my *Lightbulb* moment with Jimmy Garoppolo and why he likely was not playing towards the end of the year , even when he appeared healthy.

The End Of An Era?

Do we officially know that Jimmy Garoppolo will be somewhere else in 2021? We do not.

There is still a good chance Garoppolo plays for the 49ers considering he is the only 49ers QB who is currently under contract.

Jimmy Garoppolo and Kyle/John all spoke about a reunion in 2021 but have also left the door open for the team to upgrade. The front office is smart enough to not pigeon-hole themselves into a situation based on something they say.

This is why we have to be very thorough when trying to breakdown what they are saying.

However, we see the smoke and we can not ignore it.

If the 49ers are truly looking for a potential upgrade at the QB position, as they have shown this tendency in the past by exploring the potential of Tom Brady (a short-term solution) after Garoppolo led the 49ers to a 13-3 record and a Super Bowl appearance just the season prior.

Jimmy Garoppolo can not be traded due to a no-trade clause in his contract. He can only be traded if he agrees to the destination...

A blockbuster trade could be something that may be more attainable than some may think.

*Deshaun Watson Has Entered The Chat*

What Comes Next?

First of all, if you've read this far - congratulations. You deserve a medal or something.

Also if you read this far, you now have an understanding to how I have been processing this Deshaun Watson situation and why I think there is a perfect storm brewing that could benefit both sides who seemingly want a fresh start.

The new Texans GM, who now has a disgruntled superstar QB on his hands that will firmly request a trade, will need a new Qb and does not have a draft pick until the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Not a great scenario if you are a rookie GM.

The San Francisco 49ers have a shiny top 12 draft pick in the upcoming draft and the first round will be littered with NFL Caliber QBs.

Texans GM Nick Caserio was the Director of Player Personnel in New England from 2008-2020. Caserio likely had a very large voice in drafting Tom Brady's heir-apparent in Jimmy Garoppolo out of Eastern Illinois in 2014.

Not only could the new GM move a disgruntled QB but he could also attain a QB that he is extremely familiar with. Caserio will likely assemble a staff with New England ties and philosophies, where a QB like Jimmy Garoppolo would fit perfectly.

This is actually a scenario where I can see San Francisco maximizing Jimmy Garoppolo's trade value because of the familiarity that Caserio has with Garoppolo.

You would also have to assume there is a connection between front office's as John Lynch and Co. did swing the trade for Jimmy from NE back in 2017, while Caserio was running the front office for the Patriots.

Another dot to connect, the 49ers spent a week in Houston practicing against the Texans prior to a Preseason football game during the 2018 season. If you need ownership approval to swing a trade for Garoppolo, it is helpful that ownership and high-level executives saw first hand how Jimmy Garoppolo ran the show for the 49ers in the 2018 joint practice sessions.

Rewind to the original Jimmy trade; the 49ers were able to get Jimmy Garoppolo for a 2nd round pick from Nick Caserio's Patriots. John Lynch can make the case in a potential trade to the Texans that Jimmy has more value now than at the time of the trade in 2017. Since then Jimmy has led the 49ers to the Super Bowl and was one of the most efficient starting QBs in the league.

The Texans will counter by referencing Jimmy's availability or lack thereof due to injury and try to dance on the narrative driven by fans and media but at the end of the day, John knows how Caserio feels about Jimmy, so there is plenty to back Lynch holding firm on trade compensation, opening the door for a very realistic trade scenario for both sides.

If the 49ers can get Bill Belichick on the phone, you could definitely see Lynch be in a nice position to swing a competitive trade involving Jimmy Garoppolo by leveraging Houston and New England against each other.

You must remember, NFL Front Office's don't run off of media-fan created narratives. They are operating off their own agenda's.

Based on how we see the current leverage playing out between each franchise and Houston currently in hot water with their QB which does not seem repairable, I see the above compensation presented by Bleacher Report being absolutely in the ballpark of reality, maybe could even be considered a bit much.

The 49ers have a real opportunity make a competitive bid for Deshaun Watson, that wouldn't destroy the future of the franchise.

From a financial standpoint and arguably one of the most important parts of this puzzle to consider, a trade could be more than feasible based on swapping Jimmy Garoppolo and Deshaun Watson's contracts. I would also imagine that Jimmy would be open to a restructure if traded to a destination he wanted to be.

I reached out Akash Anavarathan of fourthandnine.com about the potential financial implications of a Deshaun Watson trade to the 49ers and the viability of it and here is what Akash dug up:

From the outside looking in, it appears everything has aligned for an insane trade to occur as two organizations have a chance to hit the reset button.

Based on the 49ers handling of Jimmy Garoppolo at the end of the 2020 season, the team and player have opened the door for this speculation. Even though I understand the logic behind siting Jimmy for the year, it doesn't change the fact that it poured gasoline on this situation.

Will a trade ever happen for Deshaun Watson? Will Jimmy Garoppolo be the 49ers QB in 2021?

Only time will tell.

---------------------------------------

Tell us what you think on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

INTRODUCING: ALL-PRO FRED WARNER + Story Behind 'All Pro Fred' Nickname

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 20:52:15 GMT

From a nickname to reality, Fred Warner named to AP First Team All-Pro List.

Today is a great day for fans of the 49ers, as Fred Warner received his first All-Pro nod of his career.

This is a great moment for me personally as a fan of the team and the player. I recall scouting Fred Warner extensively and really liking his ability throughout the draft process.

Taking a trip down memory lane:

Fred was someone who jumped off the screen early for me and how could he not? He was a 6'3" 225 LB beast who could move sideline-to-sideline with the best of them. His biggest knock coming out of BYU is people didn't know where to put him in the NFL because he was position-diverse in college, playing: Safety - LB - Nickel CB - EDGE and doing well at all roles.

For example, you can see below in a mock draft I did in 2018 and where his value was at the time. His talent clearly far exceeded his perception early in the draft process.

The reason I stuck with Fred Warner is because of my evaluation of now Chargers S Derwin James the year prior.

I had concerns about the former FSU Safety transitioning to the NFL because he did so many things well, just like with Fred's initial eval. I didn't know where Derwin was going to play in the NFL. I was worried he would be asked to be a typical cover safety in the league and felt he would struggle in that role. Luckily, the team that drafted him played to his strengths and he quickly became one of the best safeties in the league.

So I learned from that experience with Derwin and transferred it over to Fred's evaluation and I am glad I did.

Fast forward to Draft day, the 49ers select Fred Warner in the 3rd round and it absolutely turned into a blessing.

The 49ers personnel and staff took this young, raw, freak athlete, and turned him into the new prototypical standard for MLB in the NFL after just his 3rd season.

He has taken all the traits that allowed him to play all over the field at BYU and funnel into the baddest run-stuffing, gap shooting, coverage MLB to ever walk the face of the planet.

Yes, you know me. If I believe it, I will say it and I truly believe Fred has all the tools to be the best LB to ever play the game.

The Story Of The Infamous 'All Pro Fred' Nickname

So as you can see, Fred and I go back to #DraftSZN and you will start to notice a trend: If I crush on you during #DraftSZN - I will likely love you for your career.

I have always hyped up Fred because it has been deserved, but 3rd round 'developmental' prospects out of BYU don't get much hype playing for a losing team.

During the epic 2019 season, the 49ers had plenty of eyes on the squad but it still seemed like people weren't talking enough about Fred Warner and his impact to the leagues top defense, especially with the Pro Bowl approaching.

So, I started calling him 'Pro Bowl Warner'. George Kittle, being a supporter of the page, also started calling him something similar: 'Pro Bowl Fred'.

In my head, I was like - Damn, it sounds so much better with 'Fred' instead of 'Warner' lol

Then as the season progressed and the 'Pro Bowl Fred' campaign was in full swing, we played the Ravens and Fred locked up Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson, and Hollywood Brown, some of the most athletic players at their respected position.

After that, it was clear that Fred was playing at an extremely high-level and even out-performing his 'Pro Bowl Fred' nickname.

That is when we took Pro Bowl Fred and evolved into All Pro Fred because we understand the Pro Bowl is popularity contest and that Fred was even better than his original nickname implied.

Fred Warner went on to miss both Pro Bowl and All Pro teams in 2019.

Having some time to reflect always brings me back to why I love doing this. I love watching people fight past what other people think and say they are and evolve into the best versions of themselves, like Kittle, Like Fred, like a lot of our players.

Excited for #HallOfFameFred next.

1/7 Recap: The #SmokeChasers Get An Early Start To The Offseason

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 08:10:02 GMT

Follow us through the smoke, we will show you the way.

Here is a recap of today's events:

49ers Bring Back Two Practice Squad Players, Waive LS

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 23:01:40 GMT

The team brings back two promising UDFA rookies.

The 49ers make two sneaky moves to help bolster depth heading into next season.

S Jared Mayden - This was someone I identified early into training camp as a guy who could seriously push for a final 53 man roster spot. Due to the depth at the time, the UDFA had just missed out and was added to the practice squad.

'Mayday' Mayden appeared in two games for the 49ers in 2020, making 1 solo tackle and 1 assisted tackle. Hey played primarily on special teams but Mayden was primed for a potentially starting role before being lost for the year due to injury.

Mayden could be a key special teamer for the 49ers in 2021 and it's up to him to push for the starting spot opposite of Jimmie Ward with the likely-hood of Tartt not being retained.

TE Chase Harrell - The UDFA TE out of Arkansas was someone that we noticed early in the year during the infamous 'Tennessee workouts'.

After speaking with multiple trainers, photographers, and former NFL players that were on hand for the workouts, it was clear that Chase stood out from a physical standpoint.

This caused me to dive deeper and I came away really liking what I saw. He was a former WR at Kansas, then transferred to Arkansas where he became a TE. Although he didn't put up many stats, that athletic profile was there.

Harrell was actually training to be a DE during the pre-draft process and he absolutely looked like he could fit the role. (See video below)

Harrell was eventually suspended for PED's in 2020 and never saw the field.

Hopefully he can put that behind him and move forward with a fresh start in 2021. With Ross Dwelley being an restricted free agent, who knows if this impact will be felt in 2021.

Only time will tell.

Former BYU QB Zach Wilson Says He Would 'Fit In Well' With The 49ers

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 18:50:49 GMT

Zach Wilson name drops Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers as a scheme he thinks he fits very well.

Zach Wilson shares some strong words about the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan's offense....

h/t @javierveg_

QB1 Officially Declares For The Draft

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 17:54:49 GMT

Clemson QB Trevor Lawerence is headed to the NFL.

Trevor Lawrence has made his decision final and will be playing football on Sundays from now on. He has been the unquestioned #1 overall selection in the 2020 draft since his senior year in high school.

That is exactly why they call him a 'generational' talent.

Texans' Deshaun Watson Fans The Flames Of #SmokeSZN

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 05:52:50 GMT

Could Deshaun Watson be on the move?

Texans' QB Deshaun Watson has set NFL Twitter ablaze with speculation after his recent tweet:

Now, my loyal followers understand that Deshaun Watson is near and dear to my heart. Almost like a son, if you will.

So with potential frustration mounting for the superstar amidst the team hiring Patriots executive Nick Caserio as the teams next general manager, who knows what that tweet means but the timing is everything.

As you know, new regime changes typically means anything can happen for any player that was not brought on by the new staff. This is when you will see leaders traded and/or released to help usher in a new culture.

And since you know I LOVE #SmokeSZn, I had get closer for some warmth.

UPDATE: It has been brought to our attention that this could very well be related the Jacob Blake case hearing that was decided on earlier today.

Just another reason why you always have to be looking for everything in regards to players sub-tweeting. But more often than not, they lead you down the right path.

Will be interesting to see what the plans are for the Texans long-term future.

Alabama's DeVonta Smith Brings Home The Hardware

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 05:21:18 GMT

Move over NFL, there is a new WR in town.

What an absolute shocker!

I would be completely lying to you if thought Alabama wide-out DeVonta Smith would win the Heisman Trophy, as this award is typically reserved for college footballs best QB's.

But that doesn't mean that I don't think DeVonta isn't deserving of this award.

DeVonta Smith put up NCAA '14 video game type numbers in 2020 with 105 receptions for 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Seriously, I am fresh off of back-to-back BCS Championship runs (Cal - NCAA '14) and even force feeding my #1 WR in that game, these numbers are still hard to reach. Yes, you really just read a player get compared to a video game, like legit compared. You're welcome for the amazing analysis.

DeVonta has been on my radar since last season when I was prepping for the 2020 NFL Draft. I went into the tape searching for Jerry Jeudy or Henry Ruggs to wow me but I came away not caring about either one.

I t was DeVonta who I saw as the diamond.

DeVonta Smith will be a superstar in the NFL. He is apart of this new wave of wide-receivers that are good at EVERYTHING. Not good at just some things, EVERYTHING.

Whether it's his contested catch ability, acrobatic catching ability, speed, routes, twitch, he has it. He can kill you in the slot, outside the numbers, redzone, it doesn't matter. I expect him to have a Justin Jefferson level impact if he lands in a good offense with a good QB.

I let my pro-comp for him slip earlier but keep an eye out for another post discussing who I think DeVonta closely resembles.

TheSFNiners Top 7 Ranked QB's Heading Into The NFL Draft

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:18:23 GMT

It's Draftszn, Baby!

*The QB's have entered the chat*

QB1 - Trevor Lawerence - Clemson

Trevor Lawerence is firmly planted at #1 and has been since he was a high schooler. This kid has earned the term 'Generational Talent' up to this point in his career. He's prepared to put a franchise on his shoulders and lead them to a likely championship. Let's just hope the Jags build a strong group around him.

QB2 - Justin Fields - Ohio State

In many other previous draft classes, Justin Fields would have been the hands down #1 overall pick. This time around, he has the unfortunate luck of coming out the same year as TLaw. And him being QB2 doesn't make him any less of a player. All I can see when I watch Fields is Russel Wilson. To me, he is Russ 2.0 with the desired size.

QB3 - Zach Wilson - BYU

Zach Wilson is only at #3 because he just so happens to be coming out with some amazing talent. Just because he is third on this list, doesn't make him any less talented. I love Zach Wilson for all the opposite reason I love Justin Fields. Zach is a true 'gun-slinger' and play-maker. I also love his mental make-up, he will thrive is he lands in the right situation but I do have concerns if he lands in a place that doesn't cater to his mental disorder (ADHD).

QB4 - Mac Jones - Alabama

Mac Jones has turned in a truly amazing year. Alabama QB's get a bad wrap because Bama QB's typically have the best weapons in the country and when they go on to the NFL, they don't seem to stick. I feel Mac Jones is different. A model for consistency, accuracy, and a canon for an arm. I like Jones here at #4 to start the process. Will be interesting if he can hold this ground through the process.

QB5 - Desmond Ridder - Cincinnati

Desmond came onto to my radar late in the season so this is really just a first impression ranking. I have plenty of study left to do but I really liked my first impression of him. As someone who followed Deshaun Watson's game very closely, Deshaun was the first person to come to my mind when watching Ridder. He has a knack for keeping plays alive and pushing the ball down field with accuracy, very similarly to how Deshaun creates opportunities for himself.

QB6 - Trey Lance - North Dakota State

When it comes to the QB position, recency bias is extremely prevalent. So when a top QB like Trey Lance decides to sit the 2020 season, it takes eyes off of him and puts them on the other prospects. That is the only reason he is at #6. His arm talent is electric. He runs like Derek Henry from the QB position. The only questions I have right now are, can he play consistent form the pocket and execute consistently from play-action. He will likely be a big time riser this draftszn. I expect him to be in the #3/#4 conversation by the end of the year.

QB7 - Kyle Trask - Florida

You will hear me talk a lot about 'vibe' and 'energy' this season, specifically when it comes to the QB position. Although Kyle is talented and truly has a good arm, I just don't like his vibe. Now, more tape study can cure this but for now, I get all the Trubisky-vibes. He is already one of the most polarizing QB prospects. It will be fascinating to watch him move through this process.

How do you have your Top QB's Ranked?

Comment your thoughts below!

Jimmy Garoppolo Wants To Be a Niner

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 21:01:04 GMT

It appears Jimmy wants to be back but the question is, do Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch want him back?

Current 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo made a press appearance today, sounding motivated to return to the 49ers.

Only time will tell if Jimmy Garoppolo will continue to be the 49ers signal caller in 2021. Especially with the depth at the QB position in the incoming '21 draft class. The current regime famously passed on Superstar QB's Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 Draft.

It will be very interesting to see what transpires over the next few months for the San Francisco 49ers and the QB position.

49ers Add Former 2nd RD Pick To Secondary

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 19:36:30 GMT

Obi Melifonwu hasn't stuck anywhere, will he stick with the 49ers?

Welcome to the gang, Obi.

I could honestly say I never anticipated this move ever happening. Also, considering it's the first day of #Draftszn, it's wild that we signed Obi based on my previous elevations of him coming out of UCONN.

The story goes:

I am hearing all this hype about a 6'4" safety who is supposed to be everything Taylor Mays was supposed to be in the NFL.

- Prototypical size/frame/speed -- What's not to love?

When you look at OBi, he looks like a physical specimen but when I turned on his college tape he was far from that. My draft evaluation was not kind to Obi, as he received A TON of pre-draft hype that ultimately had him selected by the Raiders in the 2nd round.

At the time, I was doing a podcast with John Constable (die-hard Raider fan) and I was elated that his team had selected Obi because I determined Obi to be a insta-bust (instant bust) and flame out of the league.

Fast forward past draft day, Obi was cut by the Raiders just a year after they selected him in the 2nd round. The hyped prospect failed to stay healthy his rookie season, spending most of the year on IR. After being released, he went unclaimed by any team in the NFL.

The Patriots ended up signing him to a two-year deal but Obi wouldn't cut it for Bill Bilicheck, being released around the NFL Draft last season.

Until now, Obi spent the entire 2020 season on the couch, during an unprecedented year were availability was huge with players going on and off the Covid list, yet Obi never made it to a practice squad.

I will be shocked to see Obi stick on the roster once the season begins.

Fred Warner Brings Home First All-Pro Nod

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 17:48:52 GMT

All Pro Fred will likely take a nickname we gave him last season and turn it into a reality.

What a journey it has been for 49ers LB Fred Warner.

A former 3rd round pick out of BYU, the knock on him coming out was no one knew where he would play. He could have been a safety, nickel CB, nickel LB, people just didn't know.

Three years later, Fred Warner has become the most dominant LB and is now the 'prototype' in the NFL for MLBs.

GEORGE KITTLE'S INSANE CATCH AGAINST SEATTLE!

bradgraham54@gmail.com (Brad Graham) — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 23:50:13 GMT

Move Over OBJ!

Is this the catch of the year?

You be the judge:

Is Jimmy Garopollo Done In San Francisco?

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 21:15:35 GMT

Reports continue to surface of the 49ers searching for a new signal caller.

This has been the debate since the Super Bowl but now as the season comes to a close, it becomes realer than ever.

This will be the most eventful offseason that the 49ers have had since Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch took over in 2017.

Remember Dante Pettis, 49ers Fans?

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 20:36:46 GMT

The former 2nd round pick for the team is catching touchdowns for the New York Giants now.

Dante Pettis was supposed to be the next great WR for the San Francisco 49ers after a fantastic rookie campaign. Pettis went from what looked to be an absolute hit in the draft to not dressing for the Super Bowl in less than a calendar year.

I think it's fair to wonder how Kyle Shanahan builds up his players on the offensive side of the ball. It seems more often than not, players tend to regress due to confidence issue under the third year HC.

Other players that come to mind who have seemingly regressed under Kyle Shanahan due to perceived confidence issues:

- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Trent Taylor
- Dante Pettis
- Mike McGlinchey
- Tevin Coleman
- Ahkello Witherspoon

Having emotional intelligence is crucial in today's society, hopefully these trends are outliers and don't paint the true story.

Only time will tell.

Potential Connection Between 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan & Likely Top 5 NFL Draft Pick - QB Justin Fields

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 08:25:32 GMT

With plenty of speculation surrounding the 49ers adding a new QB in the Draft, photos surface of the pair working out together from the offseason.

Justin Fields is regarded as one of the best, if not the best QB in the 2021 NFL Draft. His recent performance in the College Football Playoff, dominating Clemson and the presumed #1 ranked NFL Draft prospect, QB Trevor Lawerence.

Justin Fields has one more game left in his college career as he attempts to take home the National Championship against the Mac Jones led Alabama Crimson Tide.

I currently project Justin Fields to be selected #2 overall by the Jets or the highest bidder. With the 49ers currently slated to draft in the middle of the first round, it would take a massive haul to move up to #2 and select the gunslinger out of Ohio State. Anything is possible on draft day.

Brandon Aiyuk Finishes Near The Top Of His Class

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 08:04:25 GMT

PFF has Aiyuk ranked 2nd behind Vikings Justin Jefferson on the year for rookie wide-receivers.

The standout rookie finished strong after starting the year injured. Aiyuk finished his rookie campaign with 66 touches 825 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Pro Football Focus Gives All Pro Fred The Crown For NFL's Best LB

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 03:47:20 GMT

All Pro Fred has officially put the league on notice.

Fred Warner entered the league as a third round pick out of BYU. Apparently, the 49ers have a knack for finding super star talent at the LB position in the third round after selecting Navarro Bowman in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Fred Warner has quietly ascended into not only the NFL's best LB, but the new prototype for the position. A guy who is elite in all aspects, coverage, stopping the run, mental processing, leadership, lateral speed, etc.

As you can see below, we saw it coming from a mile away.

The Bear Is Awaken From Hibernation

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 22:13:36 GMT

49ers Star DE posts to IG for the first time since his season-ending injury.

After hearing very little from the former Ohio State product since his injury in week two, it is good to see that the bear is hungry to get after it.

Nick Bosa entered the league with his hair on fire, quickly becoming one of the best edge rushers in the game.

We will be closely watching to see if the small bear can get back to his rookie form.

Richard Sherman Hints At His Time Being Over With The San Francisco 49ers

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 07:21:08 GMT

Curtain call for the future Hall of Famer?

Some would call it reading between the lines. Others would call it the writing on the wall. As fans reached out to Richard Sherman to thank him for what he meant to the franchise, he responded in a way that could signal his time as a Niner being over.

We thanked Richard Sherman via our story on instagram and Richard simply responded, "Thank you". We wouldn't expect anything less from the classy veteran.

Now that Sherman's season is over due to injury, it will be interesting to see what's next for the perennial All-Pro. Will he head into the booth to take a shot at broadcasting or will he end up on another roster?

Only time will tell.

Aiyuk Done For The Year, Puts Up Great Production in 2020.

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 22:58:45 GMT

It wouldn't be 2020 without ending the year with season ending injuries.

The 49ers receive another injury blow as rookie sensation Brandon Aiyuk will be done for the year. The young star finishes his rookie campaign with: