The San Francisco 49ers midseason reports could start and end with the word, undefeated. Thursday’s game against Arizona was statistically Jimmy Garoppolo‘s best game as a 49er. I don’t think people thought the 49ers midseason report would include a perfect record.
“8-0 is not going to get you anything, but it’s a good start.” – Jimmy Garoppolo
San Francisco 49ers Midseason Report Cards and Grades
To say that there is excitement in San Francisco over the 49ers midseason status smacks of an understatement. As much upside as people felt this team might have, I don’t think anyone would have penciled them in at 8-0 at the halfway point. It’s been one heck of a ride.
We’re going to take a look at the key offensive and defensive players and what they’ve been able to do this season, and grade their performance as such. So buckle your chinstrap and settle in for some grades.
Jimmy Garoppolo: B-
Jimmy Garoppolo has been called a “game manager” or “average” but his play has been solid all year. He’s had a couple of games where he struggled to protect the ball, but he’s also been a constant leader and gets the job done when needed. This season Jimmy has thrown 13 touchdowns against 7 interceptions. It would be nice to see him protect the ball better in the second half. He has a three-digit passer rating, however, and he’s done his job to this point admirably.
Matt Breida: B
Matt Breida has seen his role decrease this season with the addition of Tevin Coleman and the emergence of Raheem Mostert at running back. Breida has averaged 5.3 yards a carry and is on pace for a 1,000-yard season. He’s only rushed for one touchdown so in the second half that is an area to improve on. Breida’s done well out of the backfield receiving as he’s the third most catches on the team. He’s a force and his speed has been a difference-maker for the 49ers this season.
Tevin Coleman: C+
Tevin Coleman played with coach Kyle Shanahan in Atlanta and he’s doing a nice job this season. He’s splitting the workload with Matt Breida, but his yards per carry isn’t as good. He’s averaging only 4.3 yards a carry, a full yard less than Breida as well as Mostert. What he has done very well is to find the end zone. He’s scored a total of six touchdowns this year, five on the ground. He’ll continue to be a big part of the offense going into the second half.
George Kittle: A
Kittle isn’t having the same impact with scoring as he did last season, but he’s the heart and soul of this 49ers franchise. He leads the team in catches and yards and is on pace for 90-plus receptions and 1,000 yards. Above and beyond his production catching the football is his blocking. He’s a tremendous down line blocker and outstanding blocking in the open field. What makes him the best, however, is his attitude. It’s elite. He’s a great team leader and the 49ers are super lucky his injured knee doesn’t seem to be serious at all, and shouldn’t sideline him.
Deebo Samuel: C-
As a rookie, it is fair to say that it isn’t fair to expect too much from him. That said, his raw natural athletic ability and talent make limited expectations impossible. He’s been slightly below average and has dropped some big passes. I think going into the season, it would be fair to expect 60 catches and 700 yards from him. He’s on pace for 44 catches and 454 yards. He hasn’t been horrendous (see Dante Pettis), but he could step things up in the second half.
Emmanuel Sanders: Incomplete (but looking promising)
The 49ers acquired Sanders at the trade deadline, and he made an immediate impact catching a touchdown on his first reception as a 49er. In Arizona he made more noise, becoming a go-to receiver for Jimmy Garoppolo, snagging seven catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. It was clear he was Garoppolo’s first option on a lot of plays. He could be a MAJOR force for the 49ers in the second half.
Dante Pettis: F
Man, oh man, talk about a sophomore slump. Things started trending downwards for Pettis in the preseason when he seemed at odds with coach Kyle Shanahan. In eight games, he’s managed only a meager 11 receptions and despite two touchdowns has been an absolute afterthought all year long. Hopefully, he can find a larger role in the second half of the season.
Offensive Line: B+
The offensive line has been good this season. Actually it’s been really good. Despite injuries to their best two linemen, the line has been solid. Tackles Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey have both been injured, and it looks like they’ll both be back in the weeks to come. Once the line is once again healthy and 100 percent, they will be among the best in the league. The 49ers are second in the league in rushing, and they are top seven in protecting their quarterback. Great job!
“We’re really excited about being 8-0, but it doesn’t mean anything.” – Coach Kyle Shanahan
The defense has been playing at an elite level all season long. It’s the league’s best unit and will be put to the test going forward with what is being reported as a season-ending injury to linebacker Kwon Alexander. The defense is led by rookie Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Fred Warner, Richard Sherman, and others. Kwon Alexander has been a monster, and his efforts will undoubtedly be missed.
Nick Bosa: A
Nick Bosa has been unbelievable this year. He has shown up and taken over games on the defensive side of the ball. He leads the team in sacks and is on pace for 14 sacks this season. He’s also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass this year. He’s a beast and has been dominant all year. If his second half matches his first, he’s a threat to win both the defensive rookie of the year and defensive player of the year.
Arik Armstead: B-
Arik Armstead has been solid, racking up 28 tackles and five and a half sacks. He’s been a force pressuring the quarterback all year long. It’s been great to see him perform this year as with the influx of talent he could have been pushed to the side. He has stood tall and is having a great year.
DeForest Buckner: B
DeForest Buckner exploded on the scene last season and has been great again this year. He has 34 tackles and four sacks this year. There’s a lot of sacks to go around and he’s getting his share. He’s also forced two fumbles. Buckner is a monster and is only 25 years old. He’s a great player and will continue to produce big plays for the 49ers.
Dee Ford: C-
Dee Ford was a huge off-season acquisition and expectations were sky high as he began the season. He’s in the mix sacks-wise with four and a half but hasn’t made a huge impact other than that.
Fred Warner: B+
Fred Warner is all over the field. He leads the team in tackles and is always around the football. He and Kwon Alexander have been an amazing 1-2 punch at linebacker. Fred is going to have to really step up in the second half as Kwon Alexander has been lost for the season to a torn pec injury.
Kwon Alexander: A-
It’s hard to overstate what Kwon Alexander has meant to this defense. He joined the team in the off-season and has been an absolute force. He’s second on the team in tackles, but more than that he’s all over the field and an emotional leader. Alexander has been in on a sack and also forced and recovered a fumble. He’s just been a force. Losing him in the Arizona game for the season is going to be a brutal loss for the defense to overcome.
Richard Sherman: C+
Richard Sherman has been in on a fair number of tackles this season. More than that he’s provided solid pass coverage and done a good job limiting catches of the other team’s top receiver. What Richard does best however is leads. The guy is just a consummate leader both on the field and in the locker room. The lone knock on him this year has been some key missed tackles, but he’s more than holding his own.
49ers Midseason Award Winners
MVP – Jimmy Garappolo
Offensive MVP – George Kittle
Defensive MVP – Nick Bosa
Offensive ROY – Deebo Samuel & Justin Skule
Defensive ROY – Nick Bosa
49ers Midseason Record – 8-0
Second Half Predicted Record – 6-2
