The San Francisco 49ers offense is clicking unlike it ever has under Kyle Shanahan. They’re top five in yards per game, rushing yards per game, and points per game. Despite their eight giveaways, the offense has been good enough to get the 49ers to their 4-0 record through the first quarter of the season.
Here are the grades for each position group on the offense though the first four games:
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo’s grade gets a boost because he hasn’t had to do much this season. The running game has been what’s kept the offense moving, and Garoppolo has done better about taking care of the football. Outside of a bad Week 1 interception against Tampa Bay, he hasn’t made a ton of noticeably bad decisions, and he put together a game-winning drive against the Steelers in Week 3.
Grade: B
Running back
The running backs have spearheaded the offense through the first four games this season. The 49ers rushiing attack leads the NFL with an even 200 yards per game, led by Matt Breida who is averaging 85 yards per game. With Tevin Coleman missing two games, Raheem Mostert was able to carry the load averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Coleman returned in Week 5 and didn’t miss a beat, rushing for 97 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown. Jeff Wilson leads the team in touchdowns with four, and filled in nicely with Coleman sidelined.
Grade: A+
Wide receiver
Receiver has been the weakest position group on the entire team. Deebo Samuel leads the receiving corps in targets with 17 and receptions with 12. Marquise Goodwin leads with 166 yards on only nine receptions. The biggest issue has been with presumed No. 1 receiver Dante Pettis. Pettis hasn’t been used much in the offense, earning nine targets for six receptions and 36 yards. While he was part of the biggest play of the season, a game-winning touchdown catch against the Steelers, Pettis has been a non-factor in the offense and had a bad drop Monday night against Cleveland.
Grade: C-
Tight end
Tight end gets a boost when it includes the team’s best player. George Kittle has been the 49ers’ best pass catcher with team highs in receptions (23), targets (29), and yards (235). He’s also the only tight end on the roster with a reception. Levine Toilolo has been important to the offense as a blocker, and Ross Dwelley has filled in well as the second pass-catching tight end in a similar role to Garrett Celek. Their tight end depth gets utilized more than any other team in the league. Shanahan deploys multiple tight end sets about 25 percent of the time. Their ability to produce has helped the offense stay deceptive.
Grade: B+
Offensive line
Even with the Joe Staley injury in Cincinnati, the offensive line has impressed all season. Mike McGlinchey has been one of the highest rated tackles on the line according to Pro Football Focus, and the interior line has been able to open huge holes up for the running game. The two big stats to look at for the line are the team’s 200 yards rushing per game, and their league-low four sacks allowed. If the offensive line continues to play at the rate they’re playing with McGlinchey sidelined four-to-six weeks by a knee injury, the offense should continue to cruise.
Grade: A+
