49ers numbers – Syndication Server

Return of injured All-Pro would major lift to another 49ers WR

Nobody may benefit more from Brandon Aiyuk’s return than Deebo Samuel.

There’s no question that missing wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for most of the 2024 campaign contributed to the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive issues.

Aiyuk individually is an excellent player whose contributions when he’s at his best make him one of the 10 best receivers in the sport. It’s why he earned a Second-Team All-Pro nod for his breakout 2023 campaign.

His early-season struggles followed by his absence because of a knee injury he suffered in Week 7 were a significant blow to the 49ers’ passing game. His absence may have also been a factor in wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s struggles in the passing game last season.

Pro Football Network noted Samuel’s receiving production plummeted without Aiyuk on the field:

Deebo Samuel had 19 receptions on 30 targets for 310 yards across 231 snaps when playing alongside Brandon Aiyuk. Without Aiyuk, he recorded 32 receptions on 51 targets for 360 yards over 422 snaps.

Without Aiyuk the 49ers never had a receiving threat like him. Jauan Jennings put together an outstanding year in an expanded role, but he didn’t force teams to alter their coverages against him the way Aiyuk did.

That undoubtedly had an impact on Samuel whose skill set as a pure receiver has never been the special part of his game. Without a No. 1 across from him it makes sense if he struggled to get open and produce as a pass catcher.

On the other hand, there were some other clear issues for Samuel last season that went beyond Aiyuk’s absence. He had a difficult time breaking tackles and generating yards after the catch when he did snag a reception, and his production as a runner cratered.

Perhaps there were injury issues for Samuel that slowed him down some in 2024, but it’s clear he’ll benefit at least a little from Aiyuk’s eventual return in 2025.

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How 49ers can help D-line issues without free agency or NFL draft

A Nick Bosa bounce-back year would be really great for the 49ers in 2025.

There are obvious needs for the San Francisco 49ers on the defensive line that will need to be addressed via free agency and the NFL draft this offseason.

However, that’s not the only way they can see an improvement from that group.

Star defensive end Nick Bosa, who was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 after leading the NFL with 18.5 sacks, hasn’t quite been himself the last couple of years.

Bosa tore his ACL in 2020, but bounced back in 2021 with 15.5 sacks before earning the DPOY nod the following year.

The offseason after his DPOY campaign was also the offseason he was due for a contract extension. Negotiations on his deal lingered until the week the regular season started, and there was a clear impact on the star DE as he worked his way back into football shape. Eventually he started looking more like himself, but he had a hard time turning his pressures into sacks.

According to Pro Football Focus, Bosa actually posted more total pressures in 2023 than he did in 2022, but his number of sacks and quarterback hits both dipped significantly. So did his pass rush win rate, which went from 21.0 in 2022, to 22.3 in 2023, down to 20.0 in 2024.

In all, Bosa has just 19.5 sacks over the last two seasons — a number that will have to improve if the 49ers defense is going to return to peak form.

Injuries certainly played a role in Bosa’s lack of production in 2024 as he missed three games and dealt with hip/oblique injuries through most of the second half of the season. The lack of quality talent around him might’ve also had an impact as offenses were able to focus more on ensuring Bosa’s path to their quarterback was more difficult.

Next season has to be a bounce-back year from Bosa where he starts turning his pass rush wins into sacks the way he did in 2021 and 2022. If he does that, it will be a significant lift for a pass rush that had a difficult time affecting quarterbacks last season.

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49ers will try to reward breakout offensive star in Week 18 vs. Cardinals

1k-and-Jauan?

The San Francisco 49ers may not be aiming to rest players in Week 18 even with the postseason out of the picture, but they may not have a choice given some of their injury issues.

One player who should be healthy after not showing up on the practice participation report is wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Jennings has been the breakout star of the 2024 season for the 49ers, and now with one week to go he’s just 77 yards shy of his first-career 1,000-yard season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday said he tries to keep milestones like that in mind for players, and will for Jennings on Sunday.

“Yeah, 77. I’ll keep that down. I’m sure Jauan will tell me too,” said Shanahan. “But yeah, you always want to do that stuff for guys, especially in a situation where you can think about it. It’s insulting to think about it just to the situation everyone, if you’re competing for a playoff spot or something like that, but always. I would love to help that out for guys. You’ve got to be somewhat careful of it.

“I remember last year watching the Rams trying to get (Los Angeles Rams WR) Puka (Nacua) the record, which I know they wanted to get him in and out. So we were doing everything we could to deny him the ball. I remember he came to the sidelines on like a one-yard gain and I told him, I was like, ‘yeah, (Los Angeles Rams head coach) Sean’s (McVay) going to have to play you to the end of this game because we’re not giving you your record. And he just laughed and I laughed at it. We’re not playing the next week, so I’d love to help guys do that out.”

Jennings is at 923 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 70 receptions.

To put his season and the potential for 1,000 yards into context, he entered the year with 78 receptions for 963 yards and seven touchdowns in 45 career games.

The 49ers badly needed a WR to step up this season with some of their injury issues, and Jennings delivered with a career year that proves he’s capable of being a go-to No. 1 or 2 receiver. Getting him to 1,000 yards would put a perfect exclamation point on his breakout campaign.

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What to expect from ‘likely’ new 49ers starting RB

It’ll be a 4th different starting RB for the 49ers on Sunday.

The San Francisco 49ers will roll out a fourth different starting running back Sunday when they visit the Miami Dolphins.

Rookie fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo had been pushed into the starting role when RBs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason both suffered injuries in a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Now Guerendo is dealing with a hamstring injury that forced him out of the 49ers’ Week 16 game in Miami.

With the rookie also on the sideline, the 49ers are ‘most likely’ turning to fourth-year veteran Patrick Taylor according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Shanahan on Friday told reporters Taylor’s experience with the club and his performance as a special teams contributor earned him the starting job.

“Yeah. He’s been here since training camp,” Shanahan said. “He’s done a real good job for us, played in this league before, has experience there at Green Bay and when he’s gotten his opportunities with us he’s ran the ball well. And when he hasn’t run the ball, he’s really helped us on special teams. So, big opportunity for him and glad we’ve got him.”

Taylor was on the active roster to begin the year while McCaffrey worked through an Achilles injury. He became expendable once McCaffrey returned and the 49ers released him before re-signing him to their practice squad.

This season Taylor has played in 10 games and notched 50 rushing yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. He might eclipse those season totals Sunday with unreliable depth behind him.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn will likely be up from the practice squad, but he’s primarily been a special teams contributor and has two separate practice squad stints after spending part of the preseason with San Francisco.

Israel Abanikanda is also on the roster after the 49ers claimed him off waivers from the Jets. He’s only been with the team three weeks and hasn’t been able to get on the field.

While the 49ers may rotate in other RBs more than they would have with a player higher on the depth chart starting, chances are Taylor will see a lion’s share of the rushing and receiving workload with a chance to eclipse his season totals in one game.

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George Kittle could be top 3 pass catcher in 49ers history with big Week 8

George Kittle could surpass a couple of 49ers legends on the all-time receiving yards list with a big game in Week 8.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has a chance to cement himself as a franchise legend with a big game in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Never mind for a moment Kittle’s gregarious personality, which combined with his productivity has already put him in the realm of all-time greats in 49ers history.

A big Week 8 showing could land Kittle at No. 3 in the 49ers’ all-time receiving yards list. He’s entering the week at No. 5, but he needs just 102 yards to leap into the top three.

Here’s what the top-five looks like entering Sunday night’s game:

1. WR Jerry Rice: 19,247
2. WR Terrell Owens: 8,572
3. WR Dwight Clark: 6,750
4. WR Gene Washington: 6,664
5. TE George Kittle: 6,649

Kittle is already more than 1,000 yards clear of Vernon Davis for the most receiving yards by a TE in franchise history.

It’ll be interesting to see if Kittle can eventually track down Owens. Kittle is on track for exactly 1,000 yards in 2024. That would put him at 7,274 yards –leaving him 1,298 yards shy of Owens. Two more years with 650 yards in each season would be enough to climb to No. 2 in 49ers history. He’d need to average 433 yards per season with the 49ers if he plays for three more years in San Francisco.

Before trying to track down Owens, however, Kittle needs to play in Week 8. He’s dealing with a foot sprain that held him out of Wednesday’s practice. He returned Thursday, which is a good sign for his chances to play against the Cowboys and continue his trek up the 49ers’ all-time receiving yards leaderboard.

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Kyle Juszczyk explains evolution of 49ers offense in 2024

Why the 49ers offense has evolved so much this year:

There aren’t many players more familiar with the San Francisco 49ers offense than fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who has been with the club since signing as a free agent in 2017.

This season has been a little different than the last couple of years for the 49ers’ offense. They’re without reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, they’re struggling to score touchdowns in the red zone, and their trademark yards-after-catch haven’t been there.

Instead, San Francisco and quarterback Brock Purdy are pushing the ball down the field more often and finding throws outside the middle of the field where they’ve typically thrived.

Juszczyk joined the Candlestick Chronicles podcast with POM Wonderful pomegranate juice and explained that the changing offense is due to normal evolution, but it’s also a response to how they’re being defended.

“Like everything I think it’s a combination of both,” Juszczyk said. “I think when you speak about the YAC numbers, it’s harder to get yards after catch or contact when you’re throwing the ball downfield more. Whereas when you get these short dump-offs, and that’s where it’s kinda easier to gets yards after catch because defenses are further back.

“And yeah I think for so many years we were known for these in-breaking routes, throwing the ball over the middle, like that was most definitely our bread and butter. So teams are gonna start to adjust to that, and it’s just kinda natural that we start throwing out-breaking routes. It’s a cyclical thing and I’m sure that by the end of the season throwing the ball over the middle is gonna be our bread and butter again. It’s always gonna continue to go back and forth. It’s a chess match. So that’s where I really do think it’s a little bit of both. It’s the evolution of the offense. It’s Brock being more comfortable in the pocket, staying in there longer to take shots downfield. It’s how teams play us. It’s always a little bit of everything.”

Finding a way to utilize shorter throws and create more yards after catch may be the ultimate key to the 49ers’ success this season.

Purdy has already shown the ability to stretch defenses vertically. If they can supplement that with the short game and YAC they’ve been so good with the last few years, it might make them the best offense in the league.

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How will Christian McCaffrey return impact 49ers offense?

Christian McCaffrey’s return won’t make the 49ers’ offense look like it did last year, but it should help in a couple of key areas.

The San Francisco 49ers have somehow managed to churn out a productive, efficient offense even without running back Christian McCaffrey.

Just because they’ve been able to churn out yards and points doesn’t mean life hasn’t been more difficult for the 49ers without the reigning Offensive Player of the Year. His return, which could be coming sooner rather than later, should make a couple of things much easier for the 49ers.

The first area McCaffrey should help is in the red zone. Last season the 49ers were the No. 1 red zone team in the NFL, scoring touchdowns on 67.2 percent of their red zone trips. This season without McCaffrey that number has plummeted to 44.4 percent.

His nose for the end zone as a runner alone will help, but his dual-threat skill set will open a ton of things up down near the end zone.

McCaffrey is a threat as a receiver, which defenses have to respect when he’s out in a route. He can be moved around to help manipulate defenders and open up space for tight end George Kittle and wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

Neither Samuel nor Kittle are great at creating separation, which becomes a significant problem in the confined spaces of the red zone. Having McCaffrey to occupy defenders could make life easier for the 49ers’ other pass catchers.

That’s the same way he can help elsewhere on the field where defenses have started clogging the middle of the field and taking away some of the space the 49ers offense has thrived in.

Quarterback Brock Purdy is still working the middle of the field, but the result of those throws isn’t quite the same as it was over the last few seasons. 49ers pass catchers are making receptions in the middle of the field and not creating yards after the catch.

Last season Samuel racked up 8.7 yards-after-catch per reception. Kittle was at 7.3, while McCaffrey and RB Jordan Mason were both at 7.0 YAC/reception.

This year Samuel is down to 7.6 in that category. Mason is at 5.6 and Kittle’s number has fallen all the way to 3.5.

Aiyuk’s is largely unchanged.

Getting McCaffrey back where defenders have to vacate the middle of the field to account for him as a receiver should generate more space and more YAC opportunities for 49ers receivers.

We’ll also likely see Purdy’s completion rate tick up toward the 69.4 percent mark he landed on last season. This year as his downfield throws have skyrocketed, his completion rate has started falling. Part of the push downfield is likely due to how teams are defending the 49ers, but it stands to reason Purdy will take easier throws to McCaffrey instead of scrambling and creating out of structure the way he has so often this season.

It’s unlikely the 49ers’ offense will be an exact replica of last year when McCaffrey returns, but he should make some of the difficult things like red zone TDs and short-area throws much easier when he’s finally back on the field.

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Kyle Shanahan explains why 49ers have gone away from successful offensive play type

Kyle Shanahan’s explanation for the 49ers’ dip in play action rate lines up with the numbers. A deep-ish dive:

There was a curious trend for the San Francisco 49ers’ offense through the first five weeks of the 2024 season.

After leaning heavily on play-action through Brock Purdy’s first season-plus, they started going away from it this year. It would’ve made sense had Purdy’s numbers out of play action started dipping, but he was still seeing a massive uptick in productivity on those plays.

In 2022 the 49ers ran play action 26.6 percent of the time with Purdy under center. That number dipped a little to 23.0 percent last year in his first full season as a starter.

Going into Week 6 of this season, the play action rate had plummeted to 17.6 percent.

It was a head-scratching choice that head coach Kyle Shanahan explained in a press conference Wednesday.

“No, we just try to run what we think looks good on tape and it kind of just depends on how people are playing us and sometimes we think it looks really good, sometimes we think it’s not so good,” Shanahan said. “So it’s not like we don’t just do things every week because we do it. I think it’s just been just a matter of how the schedule’s played out.”

We dug into some of the 49ers’ play action numbers and it was pretty easy to spot what got the team’s play action rate down. It turns out blitzing San Francisco heavily this season will typically get them out of their play action game.

Here’s a handy graph we made using data from Pro Football Focus:

The 49ers’ play-action rate against the Vikings was just 6.7 percent thanks to Minnesota blitzing Purdy on 51.1 percent of his dropbacks.

Against the Patriots’ 40.0 percent blitz rate, San Francisco ran play action just 13.3 percent of the time.

Conversely, the 49ers’ season-high 29.0 percent play action rate against the Seahawks came with Seattle blitzing on a season-low 19.4 percent of the 49ers’ dropbacks.

The only real outlier from this trend is Week 5 where the Cardinals brought a blitz on 46.3 percent of Purdy’s dropbacks and the 49ers still passed with play action 24.4 percent of the time. Interestingly, that Week 5 performance was also Purdy’s worst of the year. He completed just 54.3 percent of his throws and tossed two interceptions with only one touchdown for a season-low 62.1 quarterback rating.

This all tracks with what Shanahan told reporters in response to questions about the team’s drop in play action rate. Defenses that blitz more are generally going to keep the 49ers from running longer-developing plays that require a fake handoff.

Eliminating the Patriots and Vikings games puts the 49ers’ play action rate at 24.4 percent – right between what it was in Purdy’s first two years.

Play action hasn’t been abandoned by the 49ers. Defenses are just playing them a little differently in 2024. That’ll always be an important element to the 49ers’ passing game, particularly given how effective their run game is. However, how Purdy adjusts against the blitz and how the offense adapts to punish teams for bringing extra pass rushers will ultimately determine their success on that side of the ball this season.

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1 offensive trend 49ers must carry over from Week 6

The 49ers got back to what works on offense against Seattle, a trend that should help them entering a brutal part of their schedule.

There’s a clear trend the San Francisco 49ers needed to continue following this season, and they did it in the team’s Week 6 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Quarterback Brock Purdy is excellent in play action, but his play action rate dipped from 2022 to 2023, and then from 2023 to 2024. Entering Thursday’s game he was running play action just 17.6 percent of the time per Pro Football Focus.

Thursday the 49ers utilized play action on season-high 29 percent of Purdy’s dropbacks. It probably isn’t a coincidence that the uptick in play action usage came in the same game San Francisco posted a season-high 36 points and 483 total yards.

Purdy wasn’t as successful as usual out of play action Thursday, but his season numbers in that concept still outshine his numbers in non-play action.

In play action Purdy is completing 72.2 percent of his throws this season, averages 12.6 yards per attempt and has two touchdowns with no interceptions.

Without play action, Purdy is at 63.8 percent completions, 7.9 yards per attempt, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

By getting their play-action game going against Seattle, they also got their rushing attack going with a season-high 228 rushing yards on 33 carries.

It’s clear the maximized version of the 49ers’ offense involves a heavy dose of play action that gets linebackers moving and playing slower than they might normally play. It worked Thursday night against the Seahawks, and it’s something they need to continue doing heading into a Week 7 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.

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49ers WR accomplishes career feat never reached by WR in NFL history

Deebo Samuel is incredible.

It’s not a huge surprise when San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel does something unique at his position.

After all, Samuel effectively pioneered the “wide back” role that no other wide receiver has been able to replicate. Samuel’s 2021 All-Pro season featured 1,408 receiving yards and a wide receiver record 365 rushing yards. He also posted 14 total touchdowns that season.

While he’s not as prolific as a runner in 2024, Samuel’s multifaceted skill set still shines through, and there’s nothing that highlights that more than what he accomplished Thursday night in the 49ers’ 36-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

In the second quarter Samuel got loose up the left sideline. After Seahawks safety Julian Love badly misplayed the ball, Samuel outran the entire Seattle defense for a 76-yard score. It marked his second receiving TD of the year, and the 20th receiving touchdown of his career.

Per NFL Network’s Bridget Condon, Samuel became the first wide receiver in NFL history with 20 receiving touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns.

Reaching the 20/20 plateau is quite a feat regardless of position though. Only 19 players in history have done it — all running backs. Saints RB Alvin Kamara, Commanders RB Austin Ekeler, and Samuel’s teammate with the 49ers Christian McCaffrey are the three other active players on the list per Stathead’s search database.

The remarkable thing with Samuel is that there are no other WRs even close in history. Jerry Rice’s 10 rushing TDs are the second most for a WR. Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill is next on the list with seven. He’s tied with Bills WR Curtis Samuel.

Samuel may never replicate his dynamic 2021 season, but his unique versatility will live on forever in stats like this one where he became the first, and maybe last, receiver to hit 20 TDs in the air and on the ground.

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