The 49ers return to the follow area after taking most of final week off for his or her bye. Earlier than the second half will get rolling later this week, let’s hand out the midseason awards for the offense and protection.
Offensive MVP: Brandon Aiyuk
San Francisco’s offense struggled with penalties and dropped passes all through the primary half. These points are a bit cause why the Niners offense ranks solely nineteenth in factors scored.
Brandon Aiyuk was probably the most constant performer on the 49ers offense over the primary eight video games.
Whether or not he was hauling in on of his group excessive 4 landing receptions or knocking a linebacker to the bottom on a run block, Aiyuk has elevated his recreation.
Kyle Shanahan’s robust love method with Aiyuk is paying off. The third yr wideout is on tempo to set a profession excessive in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Defensive MVP: Nick Bosa
Regardless of lacking a recreation and a half resulting from harm, Bosa is second within the NFL with 8.5 sacks.
Even when he doesn’t document a sack, you always see Bosa across the quarterback. The 2-time Professional Bowler recorded 20 quarterback hits via the primary six and a half video games.
Most Improved Offensive Participant: Aaron Banks
Banks was one of many causes the inside of San Francisco’s offense line was probably the most questioned in the course of the offseason.
Chosen within the second spherical of the 2021 draft, many had been unimpressed when Banks was unable to crack the beginning lineup. By no means thoughts he injured his shoulder within the preseason opener final season and was being requested to change from the left to proper facet.
Absolutely healed and again at left guard, Banks has seemed each bit as dominant as he did throughout his time at Notre Dame.
Most Improved Defensive Participant: Talanoa Hufanga
Talanoa Hufanga has made the 49ers entrance workplace look good for transferring on from Jaquiski Tartt.
The second-year professional has made the transition from position participant to starter seem seamless. His three interceptions over the primary eight weeks are greater than any 49ers security since Antoine Bethea recorded 4 in 2014.
Hufanga flies across the area with abandon. Along with the interceptions he’s third amongst 49ers defenders in tackles and leads non-defensive linemen with 5 tackles for loss.
Most Disappointing Offensive Participant: Deebo Samuel
No 49ers offensive participant has seen their manufacturing drop off to the extent of Deebo Samuel this season.
Samuel spent the offseason in a contract dispute, missed the start of coaching camp, and has not constantly seemed just like the weapon he was a season in the past.
The 49ers are close to the highest of the league in dropped passes, and Samuel is the first wrongdoer. His seven dropped passes are probably the most within the NFL.
There has additionally been a major drop in Samuel’s yard per reception this season. After averaging 18.2 yards per catch final yr, Samuel has averaged 12.1 in 2022.
Most Disappointing Defensive Participant(s): Javon Kinlaw and Arik Armstead
The frustration round Javon Kinlaw and Arik Armstead has nothing to do with their efficiency. Each had been stable in the course of San Francisco’s line of defense.
Kinlaw and Armstead land as probably the most disappointing defensive gamers resulting from their incapacity to remain wholesome.
After present process reconstructive surgical procedure on his knee in the course of the offseason, hopes had been excessive that Kinlaw’s harm issues had been behind him. He performed 102 defensive snaps over the primary three weeks earlier than needing to go in injured reserve.
The earliest Kinlaw would be capable to return to motion is after this week’s recreation towards the Chargers.
Armstead suffered a foot harm towards Seattle which pressured him to overlook the week three matchup in Denver. He returned to motion the next week towards Los Angeles solely to undergo an ankle harm.
San Francisco hopes Armstead will return after the bye week; nevertheless he was not on the sphere with the group throughout Monday’s temporary exercise.
