Grading out 49ers offense, position-by-position

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The 49ers had little problem moving the football last year. They threw the ball efficiently. They ran right down your throat. They regularly turned yards into points, only scoring fewer points than the Baltimore Ravens during the regular season.  

They were cruelly efficient during a run through the NFC playoffs, though they fell just short in the Super Bowl. The scary part is The 49ers should be just as good on offense, maybe better in 2020. 

Last year’s experience will do Jimmy Garoppolo some good. The 49ers replaced Joe Staley with another elite left tackle. The tight end group is as good as any. Oh, and tailback Jerick McKinnon is finally healthy.

So, just how good might the 49ers' offense be this season operating Kyle Shanahan’s esteemed system? Let’s take a closer look at each position group.

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Jimmy Garoppolo
Nick Mullens
C.J. Beathard
 
 
Garoppolo was the only NFL quarterback ranked in the top five in yards per attempt (8.4), passing touchdowns (27) and completion percentage (69.1) last season. But, yeah. Sure. He totally sucks. That’s the loud, broken record a vocal minority has been playing since the Super Bowl went awry. Doesn’t make it true.

Garoppolo might not fit into the NFL’s top tier but he’s a quality passer who should get better after his first full season in Kyle Shanahan’s system. So, in sum: Stop hating on Jimmy G. It’s unbecoming. Mullens has played well in a starting role and could do so again if called into action with a supporting cast way better than the last time he played a meaningful snap. Beathard’s fine for a No 3. 
 
Grade: B-plus

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Raheem Mostert
Tevin Coleman
Jerick McKinnon
Jeff Wilson Jr. 
Kyle Jusczyck (Fullback)
 
Mostert earned his moment in the sun during the NFC playoffs, and a bit of extra coin this offseason. That was well deserved after showing what he could do as a primary back on the biggest stage. Watching him operate in a feature role all year should be this position group’s most exciting prospect. It’s not.

McKinnon is the most intriguing member of the running back room, finally healthy after two years away from the game. What a tale of perseverance. And, after all this time, we might see why Shanahan wanted McKinnon so bad he paid a mint to sign him in free agency. McKinnon should really thrive in this system, though Mostert and Coleman deserve work. That shouldn’t be a problem.

The 49ers have the depth and talent to spread the ball around while executing an excellent running scheme. Oh, and Jusczyzk is one of the planet’s best at his position. 

Grade: A

 

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LT Trent Williams
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Ben Garland
RG Daniel Brunskill
RT Mike McGlinchey
Reserves: Justin Skule, Colton McKivitz, Tom Compton
 
The 49ers' offensive tackles are outstanding. Williams is an elite left tackle, leaving the 49ers in great hands after Joe Staley hung ‘em up in April. McGlinchey is in a higher tier among peers working on the right. There are, however, some question marks on the interior.

There would be far fewer if center Weston Richburg were healthy, but he remains on the PUP list rehabbing a patellar tendon injury and won’t be back for at least the season’s first six weeks. Garland is dealing with some injury issues himself right now, which might swing Brunksill into the middle during Week 1. The jury still is out on that.

The 49ers need Tomlinson to be a rock at left guard and he will be. How the 49ers fare at center and right guard, while operating with less-than-ideal depth, is a significant issue the 49ers must work through. 

Grade: B

 

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George Kittle
Jordan Reed
Ross Dwelley
Charlie Woerner
 
 
Kittle isn’t just one of the NFL’s best tight ends. He’s one of the best skill players. Period. The guy is freaking awesome as a receiver. He’s a truly tenacious blocker. He seems set for a huge season even after getting paid.

Reed has been good when healthy, but that hasn’t happened much in recent years. He’ll be heavily involved, even with Kittle on the field, if he’s consistently available. Dwelley is a good reserve and Woerner has proven to be more than a blocking tight end. 
 
Grade: A

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Deebo Samuel 
Brandon Aiyuk
Trent Taylor
Kendrick Bourne
Dante Pettis
Richie James
 
The 49ers have undergone a legit injury plague at this position. Their most important pieces have escaped ailments that will severely impact the season. While Samuel and Aiyuk might miss Sunday’s game versus Arizona – the jury is still out as of this publish -- this isn’t a Week 1 outlook. It’s for the entire season. This crew could be pretty good over a long haul. There are, however, a lot of unknowns.

Samuel’s a true No. 1, but how will he respond after offseason foot surgery? The 49ers believe Aiyuk can live up to his first-round draft status, but he remains unproven. Bourne has shown flashes of good play and would be a good reserve, but is he a feature player? Maybe not. We don’t know. Taylor should play a ton in the slot coming back from a foot injury, but he hasn’t yet produced at a high level in the pros. 
 
Grade: B-minus

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