Niners Nation
The 49ers’ preseason opener didn’t go to plan in terms of the meaningless end result, as they went down 30-9 to the Denver Broncos. However, in respect of the performances from their rookie class, it was an extremely encouraging night.
First-round pick Mykel Williams sat out with a knee issue, while third-round cornerback Upton Stout did not play because of a calf issue. Fifth-round running back Jordan James missed the game with a broken finger.
However, second-rounder Alfred Collins and fourth-rounder C.J. West each had promising flashes at defensive tackle, while fourth-round wide receiver Jordan Watkins and fifth-round safety Marques Sigle each shone. Unfortunately, Watkins now faces a month on the sidelines with a high-ankle sprain.
But one of the most significant takeaways from the 49ers’ first game of the exhibition schedule concerned the strong play of several members of their undrafted free agent class.
Indeed, several 49ers rookies signed after the draft enjoyed impressive performances.
Guard Drew Moss did not give up a single in his 16 pass-blocking snaps (seventh-round pick Connor Colby also stood out in that regard, with zero pressures allowed on 24 such snaps), per Pro Football Focus, while on the other side of the trenches Sebastian Valdez was described by Kyle Shanahan as the player who “flashed the most” after a four-tackle performance.
Valdez was credited with half a quarterback sack, giving the 49ers potentially valuable additional depth at a defensive tackle spot where they need contributors to emerge.
At the linebacker position, Stone Blanton boosted his hopes of at least earning a practice squad berth, registering three defensive stops that represented a failure for the Denver offense, per PFF, including a forced fumble.
The linebacker depth chart is crowded and Blanton likely still faces a tough road to a roster spot, but it looks a little less daunting after he caught the eye for the right reasons on a night that saw third-rounder Nick Martin struggle.
Given Shanahan’s success in turning undrafted running backs into productive players at the highest level, it is probably fitting to give the last word to Corey Kiner, who took advantage of his opportunity with James and last year’s fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo missing out through injury.
Kiner had 45 yards on 10 carries, showcasing agility and power as he excelled at creating yardage for himself. Thirty-eight of his yards came after contact.
Of course, any analysis of preseason football comes with caveats surrounding the caliber of opposition UDFAs face, particularly in the second half of exhibition games.
But the signs from the 49ers’ crop of undrafted players against Denver were undoubtedly positive and, given the 49ers need for difference-makers at defensive tackle and the injury crunch at running back, it’s not farfetched to think the preseason opener could have been the first step towards a roster spot for the likes of Valdez and Kiner.
