49ers Preseason Week 3 Takeaways
As the start of the regular season draws closer the battles for fringe roster spots and backup roles heat up and a few veterans have bounce back performances after a tough start to the preseason.
With the NFL Preseason now sitting at 3 games, this past weekend was players last audition for a roster spot and back up role. The 49ers in another loss gave their starters a longer run than in previous weeks and they continued to look sharp. After the starters left, a couple young players continued to show flashes in Week 3 and a couple veterans had big bounce back performances.
Takeaway #1: Jordan Mason Makes Strong Case for RB3 (mostly…)
Jordan Mason got the start on Friday night at RB with incumbents Christian McCaffery and Elijah Mitchell getting the night off and made the most of it. Mason logged 59 yards, 56 of which came after contact, on 9 carries. Mason displayed very good tackle breaking on multiple carries (see below), routinely making defenders miss in the hole or backfield to salvage runs. He even tagged on a nice 16 yard catch and run on a Texas Route out of the backfield. The lone blemish on his day was a costly one, a fumble on the goal line during the first drive of the game.
Mason getting the starting nod on Friday indicates he is likely going to hold onto the RB3 spot he earned last year and his performance did nothing to change that.
Takeaway #2: Jaylon Moore Bounces Back At Left Tackle
The second string offensive line unit for the 49ers had greatly struggled through the first two weeks of the preseason, allowing 28 Pressures in 2 games. Jaylon Moore was one of the bigger culprits for their struggles with 5 Pressures and 2 Sacks to his name in that time span. However, Moore had one of the bigger bounce backs in Week 3 with 0 Pressures Allowed on 30 total snaps (20 in Pass Pro). He was effective in the run game creating displacement at the point of attack and cutting off 2nd level defenders when asked to climb.
He also displayed good pass protection and mental processing in 1 on 1s on the edge (Clip 1) as well as passing off stunts and twists. (Clip 2)
If everything goes according to plan for San Francisco, Moore should never have to take significant snaps in 2023, as HOF LT Trent Williams is one of the best in the game. However, it’s the NFL, injuries happen, Moore entering the regular season with some confidence in himself could pay dividends further down the line should he need to fill in.
Takeaway #3: Isaiah Oliver Returns to Form
It’s no secret to those that follow the 49ers that Isaiah Oliver has not had the impact in practice or games that many expected of him when he was signed in Free Agency this past spring. Despite being moved to the 2nd Unit, DC Steve Wilks has maintained confidence that Oliver will be a vital part of the defense this year, especially in certain matchups and Friday showed why. Oliver logged 40 snaps on Friday (5th on the Defense) and put up a strong stat line of 4 TKLs, 3 STOPs, 1 Pressure, and only allowed 6 YDS on 2 TGT. Oliver, a bigger SAF at 6’0” 210 lbs, showed his ability to close and finish in the run game (Clip 1) and out of underneath zone coverage. (Clip 2)
Oliver may not be the starting NCB that SF was hoping he would be when they signed him in March but his unique blend of size and length should give them positional versatility on the back end. Friday night showed how he can be used as a disruptive player in the run game, especially versus opponents that like to pound the rock.
Takeaway #4: Jalen Graham Continues to Flash
One of the brightest spots for the 49ers this Preseason has been the emergence of rookie 7th Round Pick Jalen Graham. For a Day 3 pick to step in and quickly pick up MIKE backer is no small feat. Graham had another strong game versus the Chargers with 5 TKLs, 3 STOPs and 0 REC allowed on 49 snaps. Clips like the one below display his athletic ability and willingness to stick ball carriers in the hole, that has the team and fans alike excited.
Graham has been far from perfect this preseason, he still needs to clean up his block diagnosing and his pursuit angles need to improve but the flashes cannot be ignored. The path to playing time in 2023 is pretty difficult to find for Graham but a franchise like the 49ers that has excelled at developing LBs over the recent years has to be excited about him as a long term development option.
(Note*: The 49ers announced Tuesday that Graham has made the 53 man roster to start the season)
Takeaway #5: Who Kicks for SF Week 1?
The biggest news for the 49ers from the third week of NFL Preseason actually didn’t come during the game but the week leading up to it. 2023 3rd Round Pick Jake Moody and veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez both suffered multi week injuries within a few days of each other.
Link: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1695576421773848826
Gonzalez is expected to be let go with an injury settlement and Moody will be kept on the roster but will not be ready for Week 1. The 49ers have been reported to be trying out multiple kickers with 2 weeks left until the start of the season, as they look for a Week 1 starter. For a team that let long time kicking stalwart Robbie Gould go this offseason in favor of a rookie the uncertainties surrounding the specialist room are a major and unexpected concern that looms over the team heading into the start of the season.