The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up their second preseason game with a 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Only one more game to go before it is time for the 49ers to prepare for Week 1 of the regular season. However, before that preparation can begin, the 49ers have to filter their roster with the final cuts. Plenty of tough decisions will be made, which makes the performances of players in the preseason pivotal in raising their stock. Here are the three 49ers who raised their stock against the Saints.
Three 49ers who Raised Their Stock in the Second Preseason Game
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs
It wouldn’t be a normal Aug. for the 49ers if there wasn’t a quarterback competition. This time around, it is the battle for the backup quarterback spot to Brock Purdy between Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen. However, the battle is likely over now after the performance Dobbs had against the Saints. He was an electrifying player for the 49ers out there. Now, if you were to look exclusively at his stats, then you wouldn’t think so. He completed 12-of-21 passes for 133 yards while running three times for 25 yards and a score.
That isn’t an electric stat line at all, but it is the way he did it with a couple of highlight plays that led to their lone touchdown of the game. One play was a 38-yard pass to rookie Jacob Cowing to get the 49ers near the goal line. A few plays later, Dobbs would run a quarterback draw, juking a defender before somersaulting into the endzone. Dobbs has risen his stock from this game and has easily created substantial distance between himself and Allen to be Purdy’s backup.
Wide receiver Jacob Cowing
2024 was looking like a standby year for rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing. He has missed the majority of training camp due to injury and didn’t get to play in the first preseason game for the 49ers. That is usually a recipe for a player who will get lost in the fold, but against the Saints, Cowing made a statement. He put up four catches for 51 yards and one carry for 19 yards. Considering he barely has a week of practice under his belt, he looked incredible.
Cowing against the Saints proved why the 49ers drafted him. He showed his ability to run jet sweeps, operate in the short passing game, and his strength as a down-the-field double-move route runner. I’m confident that head coach Kyle Shanahan got excited watching Cowing. Having a player with his abilities can add a new dynamic to the offense that the 49ers don’t have outside of Brandon Aiyuk. His stock has easily risen and sets him up to be a contributor this year if he can do it again in the preseason finale.
Offensive lineman Dominick Puni
The stock of rookie offensive lineman Dominick Puni has consistently risen since training camp began for the 49ers. After yet another strong outing in the second preseason game, Puni has gotten to the point where he is the likely starter at right guard. He only allowed one pressure against the Saints, which is the first of his 23 pass-blocking preseason snaps. The guy is proving to be an impenetrable fortress thus far.
At this rate, it doesn’t make any sense for the 49ers to go back to Spencer Burford as the starter. They are better off going with the younger player who can be their established starter for the foreseeable future. The right side of the offensive line was a weakness for the 49ers last season, but with Puni out there, it cuts their weakness in half. That way the 49ers only have to worry about right tackle Colton McKivitz, which will make for an easier adjustment to make.
Main Image: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
