San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers: Positional Progress Report for First Quarter of 2016

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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One quarter of the 2016 NFL season is in the books, and the San Francisco 49ers currently boast a 1-3 record. Niner Noise dishes out progress-report grades for each position and breaks down the good and the bad.

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) stands on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly stands at right in the background. Seattle defeated San Francisco, 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

A quarter of a season is usually a good standard in judging how any NFL team is going to pan out over the course of any given season. And the 1-3 San Francisco 49ers appear to be right in line with what many analysts felt about head coach Chip Kelly’s group four weeks into 2016.

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Statistically, the Niners are putting up points in OK fashion (15th in the league) but are struggling to move the ball on offense. Their 1,171 all-purpose yards gained ranks 30th so far.

Defensively, San Francisco hasn’t been able to stop the run. Poor showings against Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott in Weeks 3 and 4, respectively, have inflated the 49ers’ run defense numbers.

The Niners are dead last in this category with 562 yards allowed on the ground.

It doesn’t take much to see the numerous holes and shortcomings throughout the roster. San Francisco lacks offensive playmakers. The defense, while boasting some promise, is still suspect.

Overall, the 49ers are revealing why it’s been difficult to win games this season.

So let’s take a look at a first-quarter progress report for the Niners this season. We’ll do so in a position-by-position analysis and try to figure out what’s going well and what needs improvement.

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (4) watches as his kick goes wide as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams

The 49ers have certainly experienced a fair share of 3-and-out drives and failed red-zone appearances this season, although the general consensus doesn’t feel quite as destitute as things were last year.

While wide receiver Jeremy Kerley is emerging as a legitimate offensive weapon, he’s not quite the prime punt-return threat one might like to see help an inept Niners offense with better field position.

And 41-year-old kicker Phil Dawson? Well, he’s ageless.

Up to Par

Dawson is 4-of-5 on field-goal attempts this season. His only miss was on a 50-plus yard attempt, so we can’t exactly fault him much there. And he’s been perfect on extra-point attempts this season as well.

Needing Improvement

San Francisco’s coverage units have been problematic, as is reflected in Football Outsiders‘ DVOA metric. Prior to Week 4, the Niners ranked 24th with a minus-6.0 percent mark here.

And punter Bradley Pinion? He’s averaging 46.1 yards per punt, which ranks 17th in the league. It’s an odd stat, because attempting coffin-corner punts don’t always allow for big punts.

But the guy Pinion replaced, current Carolina Panthers punter Andy Lee, is averaging 51.1 yards per punt — tied for first in the NFL.

Grade: C+

Next: Defensive Backs

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Backs

Oh, for all the efforts general manager Trent Baalke has made to upgrade and reinforce the secondary.

There are a couple of bright spots here. Safety Eric Reid is looking more like first-round talent and seems to be thriving in defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil’s scheme. And rookie corner Rashard Robinson is also coming into his own.

The rest? Well, it’s not great.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball while being tackled by San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Up to Par

Robinson is currently tied for the team lead in pass breakups (three). And it’s only a matter of time before he takes over for veteran corner Tramaine Brock, who has 61.3 grade on the year, per Pro Football Focus. Robinson has an 84.5 mark through four weeks.

Prior to being injured, cornerback Jimmie Ward was also carrying over his success from 2015.

As a whole, the Niners defense has only allowed 998 yards through the air — good for 13th in the league.

Needing Improvement

Still not sure why Brock is starting at this point. And while veteran safety Antoine Bethea has had his share of struggles, second-year pro Jaquiski Tartt hasn’t done much of anything to suggest he’s a legitimate long-term replacement yet.

Slot corner Chris Davis has been the worst 49ers defensive back, per PFF, which might open the door for Ward to return in the nickel and Robinson to take over on the outside.

Oh, and some of those blown coverages need fixing too.

Grade: C

Next: Linebackers

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Wilson was injured on the play. The Seahawks won 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers

Remember when general manager Trent Baalke said an inside linebacker wasn’t a need in the 2016 NFL Draft?

Well, the 49ers are now without Ray-Ray Armstrong (pectoral) and are also be without All-Pro NaVorro Bowman (Achilles) for the rest of 2016.

The backups? Gerald Hodges and Michael Wilhoite.

San Francisco’s pass rush has also been less-than stellar, and this team can’t get outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (suspension) back soon enough.

Up to Par

We can’t fault Bowman’s efforts at all this season. And it’s a tough blow to lose him for the year.

October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) is carted off the field during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers have managed to generate six of their eight total turnovers from the linebacker position. That’s good. Four of the team’s seven sacks on the year also emanate from the LB spot too.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) looks on from the sideline during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Needing Improvement

The pass rush is far from perfect. Good thing Lynch returns in Week 5. Veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks is a situational pass-rusher at best, and edge-rusher Tank Carradine is looking more like his preseason accolades are just that.

Second-year pro Eli Harold may be the most promising out of this group. But the results haven’t been there on paper or film.

And San Francisco’s run defense? Yeah, it’s ranked dead last in the NFL after four weeks. Setting the edge and plugging interior gaps — critical for linebackers — has been problematic in every 49ers game since Week 1.

Opponents know they can run the ball against the Niners front seven. And few, outside of Bowman, have shown they can stop the run.

Grade: D

Next: Defensive Line

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is defended by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during a NFL game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

San Francisco’s defensive line was supposed to be one of the few areas of strength entering 2016.

Part of it is, although it’s a unit which took a hit when rookie defensive end DeForest Buckner suffered a leg injury in the 49ers’ 24-17 Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Buckner was having the best pro game of his career up to that point. He and second-year pro Arik Armstead have also struggled against the run this season. But they still have been able to display pocket-wrecking potential.

This might explain why the 49ers have allowed just 998 yards through the air.

Up to Par

Defensive tackle Quinton Dial’s run defense has been good enough on the season. With nose tackle Ian Williams out for the year, Dial and fellow NT Mike Purcell need to be impact players in this area.

Dial has been. Purcell not so much.

Buckner is still on an upward trajectory. We can see this here:

The only hope is his leg injury won’t be serious. Armstead’s shoulder injury is another thing to watch too. If both are healthy, the Niners have a D-line group set for years to come.

Needing Improvement

As was the case with San Francisco’s linebackers, the D-line’s efforts against the run are less than stellar.

Stopping ball-carriers at the point of attack will be a necessity for a Niners defense lacking linebacker depth. Plugging gaps and proper tackling techniques haven’t been the best for San Francisco’s defensive front either.

How come rookie lineman Ronald Blair has only seen 36 snaps?

Grade: C-

Next: Offensive Line

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) prepares to snap the ball during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

2016 is, without doubt, a major improvement over what the 49ers had going along the offensive line a year ago.

Through four games in 2015, the Niners had already allowed 14 sacks. San Francisco has given up just three so far this year.

Many viewed retired-not-retired-retired right tackle Anthony Davis’ return to the team as a blessing. But Davis could not win his starting job back — thank you, Trent Brown — and ended up retiring again three weeks into this season. And the rest of this unit is holding its own.

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) watches the game against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Houston defeated San Francisco 24-13. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Up to Par

Pass protection. Three sacks allowed tells us almost everything we need to know. Football Outsiders ranks the 49ers No. 1 in this category (not including Week 4).

Only left guard Zane Beadles (56.6) and center Daniel Kilgore (58.4) grade lower than 70 on the year, according to Pro Football Focus‘ pass-blocking assessment.

One should also be impressed with right guard Andrew Tiller. It’s hard to see him losing his starting gig anytime soon.

Needing Improvement

Run blocking. While Football Outsiders considered the Niners O-line tops in pass protection, this same group ranks No. 30 in run support.

A primary culprit here has been Brown. Despite above-average pass-blocking capabilities, the second-year pro currently grades out with a 36.7 run-blocking grade, per PFF — by far, the lowest on the line.

While not the entire problem, Brown is certainly influencing the 49ers’ 3.6 yards-per-carry average, which ranks 25th in the NFL.

Beadles hasn’t been stellar on the year either, which will prompt the Niners to make the switch over to their first-round draft choice, Joshua Garnett, sooner rather than later.

Grade: B-

Next: Tight Ends

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) runs the ball after a catch defended by Dallas Cowboys safety Barry Church (left) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Tight Ends

One might figure the lack of playmaking wide receivers would open up the door for San Francisco’s tight end crop to make some impact.

It has, to a certain extent. And the 49ers can feel pretty good knowing they have two pass-catching options in TEs Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek.

Yes, McDonald.

McDonald (hip) missed Week 4. Prior to that, he hauled in five catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Maybe the catchability problems he experienced in previous years have finally left him.

Up to Par

Celek actually leads all San Francisco TEs with 10 grabs for 131 yards, which appears to be a carryover from his short-lived efforts a year ago.

Assuming McDonald comes back healthy, the 49ers will at least have two decent options in the receiving game to give quarterback Blaine Gabbert some mismatch targets down the field and underneath.

Needing Improvement

This might be a problem the 49ers can’t avoid. While McDonald and Celek may be viewed as decent No. 2 options at best, neither are exactly big-time playmakers either.

What we’ve seen over the first four weeks is probably the best we’ll get out of this group. So unless second-year pro Blake Bell is suddenly going to make a huge jump, this is a position likely needing more help in 2017.

Grade: B-

Next: Wide Receivers

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) catches a pass defended by Dallas Cowboys defensive back Anthony Brown (30) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers

Oh, how problematic the 49ers situation at wide receiver is. Sans Jeremy Kerley of course.

Kerley is about the only consistent option San Francisco has at this position. No. 1 wideout Torrey Smith is not exactly the best fit in head coach Chip Kelly’s offense. His deep-threat capability doesn’t jive with Kelly’s uptempo, quick-release scheme.

And yet the Niners have made little attempt to get Smith involved on the season.

As such, Kerley leads this group with 202 yards on 18 catches and a touchdown.

It’s a glaring weakness the 49ers have and a direct result of not adequately addressing this position via the NFL Draft and free agency.

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) watches the game against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Houston defeated San Francisco 24-13. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Up to Par

Not much. Kerley is about the only bright spot emanating from this group. We’ve seen a couple of plays involving Smith, including the underthrown interception from Blaine Gabbert in Week 4, which suggest the speedy wideout could still be a factor.

The rest? Well, it’s not pretty.

Needing Improvement

If there’s one element San Francisco’s receivers need to improve on, it’s separation. We can fault Gabbert all we want — we will — but an equally troubling part of the issue is the lack of space generated by the 49ers receiving corps.

San Francisco has only one wideout (Kerley) ranked in Pro Football Focus‘ top-30 breakdown. No one else has even been much of a factor.

It hurts the Niners offense in more ways than just the lack of stats. Opposing defenses need not worry about scheming against a top-tier, or even above-average, receiver. Those defenses can focus on the running game. And they have.

Grade: F

Next: Running Back

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back

Thank goodness the 49ers have running back Carlos Hyde and he’s fully healthy. If not, well, this offense would be abysmal.

Hyde still ranks only 24th out of 49 qualifying tailbacks, per Pro Football Focus. And while this might have to do with some of the aforementioned problems, it’s clear he’ll remain head coach Chip Kelly’s pinnacle weapon when the Niners have the ball.

The former Ohio State standout is the team’s current leader in touchdowns (five) and is probably the lone player opposing defenses really have to worry about.

Fans are suddenly recalling the days of former 49ers great Frank Gore back in 2006 and 2007.

Up to Par

Having Hyde as the bell cow of the offense is fine for Kelly and Co. Nothing wrong with that.

And Hyde is answering with an average of 4.1 yards per carry. His elusiveness and patience, as seen below, still make him a noteworthy NFL running back.

Just imagine what Hyde’s numbers could be if San Francisco had a passing attack and a better run-blocking approach on the right side.

Needing Improvement

The weapons around Hyde are probably the biggest setback through four weeks.

Hyde does have one fumble on the year, and it was a costly one in Week 2. But his handling skills haven’t been problematic aside from that.

If there is an area of concern, it might be on short-yardage attempts. Hyde is averaging a mere 2.1 yards per carry on downs needing three or less yards.

Grade: B+

Next: Quarterback

October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) runs the football against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback

No, Blaine Gabbert isn’t the answer under center. And it’s safe to say we’re seeing all that we will see, insofar as his playmaking abilities.

But head coach Chip Kelly won’t make the switch to Colin Kaepernick. Not yet, at least. At the earliest, this comes in Week 6 on the road against the Buffalo Bills (San Francisco will have an extended break between Weeks 5 and 6, due to Thursday Night Football).

Gabbert can be blamed for throws short of the sticks. But these checkdowns aren’t entirely on his shoulders. Remember, he’s not exactly getting help from 49ers receivers separating themselves from coverage.

Still, Gabbert remains the guy capable of making the great throw every now and then, only to have his efforts negated by the all-too-frequent inaccurate pass.

Up to Par

Gabbert is, at least, avoiding pressure and isn’t allowing himself to be sacked in an attempt to extend plays.

And we’ve seen some nice throws from time to time as well. A pass to tight end Garrett Celek against the Cowboys last Sunday was placed right where only Celek could haul it in. And coverage was tight too.

Gabbert also has 29 rushing attempts on the year, which might be a little too high, but it still reflects his ability to be mobile out of the pocket.

Needing Improvement

Everything else. As stated, every solid Gabbert throw is offset by two or three inaccurate passes or poor decisions.

Not surprisingly, Gabbert’s passer rating is 73. 1 on the season. And Pro Football Focus ranks him 33rd out of 34 qualifying quarterbacks on the year.

Switching over to Kaepernick may not be the answer. But it’s becoming clearer Gabbert is never going to be the long-term option San Francisco needs under center.

More from Niner Noise

Until a change is made, whenever that happens, fans will have to endure the inconsistent play the Niners quarterback has delivered over four weeks of the season.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.

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