The 49ers reached the midpoint of their season. That coupled with the group having its bye this week makes it’s this an ideal time to replicate on the primary half of the season. Listed here are their grades for the primary half.
Quarterback: B
Trey Lance struggled in a season opening loss at Chicago. He missed a wide-open Tyler Kroft for a landing early within the recreation. Within the second half he handed up a attainable landing to Jauan Jennings, taking a sack as an alternative. A torrential downpour made situations almost unplayable in shortly after he threw an interception.
In week two, Lance led the 49ers offense to a discipline objective on its opening possession in opposition to Seattle. On the following possession he was misplaced for the season after struggling a damaged ankle after protecting the ball on a zone-read.
With Lance out, Jimmy Garoppolo took over because the 49ers beginning quarterback.
Regardless of lacking all of coaching camp and preseason whereas recuperating from offseason surgical procedure, the veteran quarterback had a strong efficiency off the bench.
His first begin in opposition to Denver per week later wasn’t so clean. In truth, it was Garoppolo’s worst efficiency of his profession.
He has since rebounded and ranks among the many prime ten in a number of statistical classes. These embrace completion share, landing share, yards per try, yards per completion and internet yards per try.
In a 31-14 win over Los Angeles final Sunday, Garoppolo grew to become solely the fourth quarterback in 49ers historical past to finish 84 % of their passes in a recreation.
Operating Backs: C
The 49ers operating backs had combined outcomes all through the primary half.
Elijah Mitchell suffered an harm after solely six carries in week one in opposition to Chicago.
Jeff Wilson Jr. stepped in because the starter and was strong. The previous undrafted free agent was among the many prime ten in dashing yards by means of the primary six weeks.
Wilson noticed his carries be diminished after the group traded for Christian McCaffrey.
Deebo Samuel was the one different 49er to have greater than 20 dashing makes an attempt by means of a lot of the primary half. The vast receiver had 24 carries for 138 yards earlier than lacking the Rams recreation with a hamstring harm.
Rookie Ty Davis-Worth missed many of the first half with a excessive ankle harm. Fellow rookie Jordan Mason was restricted to just one rush try regardless of wanting explosive in the course of the preseason.
As an alternative of utilizing the rookies, Kyle Shanahan introduced in Tevin Coleman. The veteran had a pair good receptions in opposition to Carolina however managed solely 2.2 yards per dashing try earlier than being launched. He has since re-signed to the follow squad.
Seeing the dearth of productiveness from the backfield, San Francisco swung for the fences when it despatched 4 draft picks to Carolina in alternate for Christian McCaffrey.
McCaffrey has regarded implausible by means of his first two video games in purple and gold. Making his first begin final Sunday in Los Angeles, the previous Stanford Cardinal picked up 149 yards on 26 touches. McCaffrey grew to become the primary participant since 2005 to report a passing, dashing, and receiving landing.
If he and Mitchell are wholesome the remainder of the best way, the operating again room will present large progress in manufacturing over the second half of the 12 months.
Large Receivers: C
This grade could be greater, however the 49ers lead the NFL in share of dropped passes at eight %.
Deebo Samuel leads the group with seven and Jauan Jennings isn’t far behind with 5.
On the optimistic facet, San Francisco leads the NFL in yards after the catch with a median of 6.9 per reception. Their 12 receiving touchdowns is simply outdoors of the highest ten as effectively.
Brandon Aiyuk has led the best way with 38 receptions for 483 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Rookie Danny Grey has been a non-factor up to now. He has been focused solely six occasions and has no receptions.
Tight Ends: B-
The 49ers tight ends get a barely higher grade than the vast receivers as a result of aside from Charlie Woerner they’ve been capable of maintain onto the ball.
George Kittle has continued to be among the many finest blocking tight ends within the league. As well as, he has seen his targets improve during the last three weeks of the primary half. That improve has led to landing receptions in back-to-back weeks.
Charlie Woerner is an honest blocker, however he has stone arms. The third-year participant was vast open for a pair of deep passes, each hit him within the arms earlier than falling to the bottom incomplete. These are his solely two targets on the season.
Ross Dwelley and Tyler Kroft have been significantly better, and their snaps have elevated in current weeks consequently. The 2 have been capable of haul in 5 of the eight passes which have come their method. Dwelley had a landing reception in opposition to Seattle and a 56-yard seize which arrange the ultimate 49ers rating final week in opposition to Los Angeles.
Offensive Line: B
Heading into coaching camp and even into week one, there have been numerous questions concerning the 49ers offensive line.
Gone had been Laken Tomlinson and Alex Mack whereas Daniel Brunskill was sidelined with an harm. Their replacements: Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, and Spencer Burford had a complete of three begins between them.
That inside trio together with Trent Williams and Mike McGlinchey have confirmed to be something however a priority.
San Francisco’s quarterbacks have been pressured on solely 16.4 % of their drop backs this season, fourth lowest within the league.
This group has been strong within the run recreation as effectively. Though they’re across the center of the pack in yards per try, their common of 4.5 is a slight improve over final season.
Coaches: C-
In class a C- represents barely under common, which is the place the 49ers offense has been all through the primary half.
They’re eleventh in yards, however yards don’t win video games, factors do and their common of twenty-two per recreation ranks 18th.
San Francisco’s factors output being barely under common within the first half stems from their lack of execution.
The 49ers offense is tied for the eighth most penalties and they’re tenth in fumbles. These errors have led to solely 34.5 % of drives leading to touchdowns, placing them in them within the backside ten.
