The 49ers offense is full of explosive playmakers. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is among the best play designers in the league. Those two elements generate a situation where players with big-play ability are often getting the ball in space. The result is a high-octane offense that thrives on yards after the catch.
One of the side effects of this type of offense is that it diminishes the need for the quarterback to unleash throws into the second and third levels of the passing game. Short, high-percentage throws are grabbed and the yards come after the fact. This style of passing attack led 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to lead the NFL in percentage of passing yards that came after the catch according to Pro Football Focus.
This note could be used to diminish Garoppolo by indicating his success is predicated on the play-making ability of his pass catchers. However, the YAC-heavy offense is a feature, not a bug.
A roster that churns out so many big-play threats on offense doesn’t require lower-percentage, down-field throws. The 49ers averaged 6.6 yards after the catch per completion, while Garoppolo racked up a completion rate near 70 percent.
This is not to say Garoppolo is without his flaws. The offense would benefit from him making better decisions and being more accurate on deeper throws. On the other hand, the 49ers’ group of playmakers don’t require a heavy load of higher-risk shots. Shanahan’s scheme generates space closer to the line of scrimmage, Garoppolo completes it, and the yards come after with the ball in the pass-catcher’s hands.
Even if Garoppolo takes a step forward this season and becomes a more prolific passer down the field, the 49ers will still lean heavily on their pass catchers who’re so effective after the catch. It’s not a coincidence they’ve loaded up on players who’re explosive with the ball in their hands, and it’s smart to continue leaning into that strength, even if it means a majority of their quarterback’s yards come after the catch.
