Following the joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers, the San Francisco 49ers throttled the Jim Harbaugh-led Chargers on Thursday night and dropped a 40-burger in SoFi Stadium. Brock Purdy and the “starters” played a single drive and gave way to the backups and players fighting for a roster spot, but the dominance continued across the board.
Let’s take a look at the snap counts and grades from the 49ers’ 41-17 win over Los Angeles.
Quarterbacks
Brock Purdy 12 (64.1), Mac Jones 25 (51.3), Adrian Martinez 38 (26.3)
The goal was to get Purdy in and get him out. Mission accomplished. Jones had some great throws and misfires in his first action of the preseason, but Martinez received the bulk of the reps with Kurtis Rourke dealing with a rib injury. It was a mixed bag for Martinez, but he did finish with a very nice rushing TD and ripped a TD to Jordan Watkins down the seam.
Running backs
Zamir White 24 (48.7), Sincere McCormick 20 (61.6), Kaelon Black 16 (73.1), Khalil Herbert 15 (76.0)
The focus was on Black, who flashed in just about every way on Thursday night. The former Indiana Hoosier ran hard and forced three missed tackles, but his work in pass protection shouldn’t go unnoticed. The quickest way to find yourself in Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse is to miss a blocking assignment, and Black showed that his reputation as a pass blocker is well earned. Black is likely the RB2 with Jordan James still dealing with an injury.
McCormick has been an unsung hero for the 49ers with injuries mounting at the position. Being able to take reps isn’t exactly glamorous, but McCormick was rewarded following a long 37-yard run with a rushing touchdown. Depending on how the injuries shake out, his performance might have earned him a roster spot in the running back room.
Wide receivers
Jordan Watkins 53 (66.4), Trenton Irwin 30 (40.7), Jacob Cowing 28 (58.5), KhaDarel Hodge 26 (78.8), Demarcus Robinson 19 (53.5), De’Zhaun Stribling 14 (90.5), Will Pauling 11 (56.0), Deebo Samuel 10 (55.5)
Well, Stribling is human after all. Of course, I’m joking, but the rookie continued his fine play and is proving who he is, regardless of which quarterback is on the field. Sure, it would have been nice to bring in the potential touchdown pass, but the hype train is flying down the track for Stribling.
Samuel and Robinson “started” the game. Still, Watkinsins played the most on Thursday and hauled in a touchdown pass, with another potential touchdown from Jones, which fell incomplete between two Chargers defenders. Cowing clinched a roster spot with his punt return touchdown. Further proof that players are one or two plays away from success. Is Christian Kirk’s roster spot in jeopardy? We’ll have to find that out.
Tight ends
Brayden Willis 37 (43.6), Jake Tonges 18 (43.0), Josiah Deguara 12 (64.0), Luke Farrell 13 (78.9), Hayden Rucci 29 (58.8)
Tonges and Farrell are locks, but Willis did some of the dirty work while taking snaps at the FB spot, and helped spring McCormick’s long run with a beautiful seal block to open the hole for the running back. The 49ers received an encouraging report about George Kittle, but may have to lean on Tonges in Week 1 if the All-Pro tight end doesn’t make the trip to Australia.
Offensive Line
Enrique Cruz, Jr. 48 (54.6), Isaac Alcaron 38 (62.5), Brandon Parker 25 (74.5), Colton McKivitz 12 (49.4), Connor Colby 45 (49.6), Austen Pleasants 52 (55.8), Carver Willis 42 (40.0), Nick Zakelj 38 (72.9), Drake Nugent 25 (72.2), Doug Kramer 38 (64.1), Jake Brendel 12 (59.9)
The left guard position remains a mystery. Colby began as the right guard, Willis got some run, and Pleasants was getting a long look at the end of the night before his injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, Willis and Colby would be the two most likely to compete to start in Week 1. It would be nice to get some clarity on a frontrunner, but here we are. Anyone know what Kevin Zeitler is doing right now?
Defense
Defensive Line
Ogbo Okoronkwo 27 (84.3), Bryson Eason 26 (80.5), James Thompson, Jr. 26 (90.3), Sebastian Valdez 23 (75.5), Quinton Bell 23 (68.7), Victor Dimukeje 19 (52.5), Sam Okuayinonu 17 (61.2), Alfred Collins 20 (56.1), Romello Height 13 (69.0), Evan Anderson 14 (59.8), Osa Odighizuwa 9 (66.6)
Odighizuwa took six pass-rushing snaps and looked every bit the part in his limited action. Thompson, Jr finished with the highest pass-rushing grade at 80.8. Okuayinonu had a team-high two pressures, and Collins wasn’t credited with a pressure, but shed RG Cole Strange with a quick swipe and was bearing down on Justin Herbert, which is a great sign for the second-year DT. Eason batted down a pass and finished with a team-high 88.4 true pass rush grade.
Linebackers
Nick Martin 33 (66.1), Garret Wallow 32 (31.2), Jaden Dugger 32 (66.5), Tatum Bethune 27 (78.4)
The 49ers’ linebacker depth is a strength for the defense. Martin contributed with a forced fumble on special teams, with Bethune recovering the fumble. Dugger recorded a PBU on an intended pass to Orande Gadsden while trailing in coverage. It was Wallow who seemed to be in the mix on nearly any play he was on the field for. The 49ers will have an interesting decision on cutdown day.
Secondary
Jalen Stroman 42 (37.5), Darrell Luter, Jr. 42 (57.2), Jack Jones 29 (88.4), Jakob Robinson 27 (60.0), Ashtyn Davis 25 (29.7), Larry Worth III 18 (71.6), Ji’Ayir Brown 17 (78.6), Marques Sigle 17 (64.1), Patrick McMorris 17 (29.8), Deommodore Lenoir 17 (80.2), Renardo Green 9 (46.2), Upton Stout 8 (68.1),
The bummer is the news of Green’s hamstring injury, but if he is forced to miss time in the regular season, Jones made a statement on Thursday night. Cornerback is much better with depth, but the hope is Green will be ready to go in Australia. Robinson flashed in run defense and nearly notched an interception, which could have been a pick-six.
The safety spot opposite Brown could still be in the air. Malik Mustapha is still dealing with an injury, but there’s still time before the Australia trip to find out who will start.
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