INGLEWOOD - An aging San Francisco 49ers roster, star-studded for years, has needed new talent. Early signs of a promising draft class were easy to spot in Thursday night's 41-17 preseason win against the Chargers. Wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling was a sight for eyes that grew sore looking at Danny Gray and Ronnie Bell. Running back Kaelon Black, the third 49ers draft pick at the position in three years, flashed what could finally pass as Christian McCaffrey backup material. About time.
Get used to the last name Stribling. Or third-and-De'Zhaun. "The Flyin' Hawaiian" is Mac Jones' not-so-original nickname for the rookie wide receiver. Whatever you want to call him, 49ers quarterbacks could not stop throwing to No. 15 on third down, the money down.
Stribling finished with four catches for 46 yards, two of which converted a third down and another that went for 11 yards to set up a manageable third-and-short.
Sometimes the 49ers did not need a third down, thanks to Black, a compact 5-foot-10, 208-pound back with the apparent power and verticality that once made Jordan Mason the most successful McCaffrey sidekick. Black had back-to-back runs of eight and nine yards, moving the sticks on his own, and advancing the offense into Chargers territory. The surprise third-round draft pick recorded a respectable 33 yards on eight carries in his preseason debut.
All told, Stribling should've had a touchdown. He created a ton of separation for an over-the-shoulder fade pass from Jones but his helmet got in the way.
Black could've benefited from improved offensive-line play. Carver Willis, also a rookie who played tackle in college, was installed at left guard with Connor Colby, a 2025 seventh-round draft pick who fumbled his headstart in the left guard competition, at right guard.
All-Pro wideout Mike Evans (quad tightness) was one of several starters who did not suit up Thursday, along with McCaffrey (unspecified tightness). Evans is 32 years old and coming off a campaign without 1,000 receiving yards, for the first time in his 12-year career, due to injuries. McCaffrey, 30, just set a new record for single-season touches (450 including playoffs) last season. Games this time of year don't count, until your team is in the middle of November with an injury report that spills onto the second page.
The upside of guys such as Stribling and Black, particularly at positions anchored by older players, could leave a closing window slightly ajar.
He can stay: The return game could make or break whether a player makes this 49ers team. Skyy Moore brilliantly handled kickoffs and punts last season but left in free agency. General manager John Lynch basically introduced Deebo Samuel as a punt returner, among other things, when the former fan favorite returned as a splashy camp signing. But his place on the roster is perhaps obviously written in already.
Jacob Cowing, on the other hand, probably needed to give more reason for the 49ers to keep him. His first two NFL seasons were a sunken cost. He caught four passes as a rookie, returned 28 punts with mixed results and missed his entire sophomore year after a torn hamstring.
He finally got his feel-good moment Thursday. Cowing broke free for 83 yards and a punt return touchdown. It was the kind of breakthrough you see in movies.
In reality, it may have secured his spot on the 53-man roster.
Purdy plays: One blink, and you likely missed most of the Brock Purdy cameo at SoFi Stadium. A glimpse of his third-down throws to Stribling, at most. The 49ers' franchise quarterback got his first and likely last series of the preseason, spanning 12 plays, 4-for-6 passing and 29 yards.
One of his incompletions spiraled way behind Samuel on a play-action pass concept. Try not to lose sleep over it. Purdy looked sharp for much of camp.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan just let him stretch his legs a bit before that long Australia flight.
SubscribeThere’s more to San Francisco with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Will this 49ers rookie class be the one? De'Zhaun Stribling, Kaelon Black shine against Chargers.
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