There were enough standout performances by the San Francisco 49ers that deserve attention. There were also plenty of head-scratching ones, as well as some I don\u2019t know\u2019s that should be discussed. In today\u2019s Winners and Losers edition, we\u2019ll go through them all.<\/p>\n
You couldn\u2019t help but notice the complex schemes Saleh showed in the first quarter and a half against the Broncos. Once it got to third down, Saleh made sure to let Bo Nix know that nothing would come easy. Here\u2019s the second third down of the game:<\/p>\n
The 49ers ended up rushing four players, while Nix\u2019s happy feet caused him to get rid of the ball on a two-yard dump-off after fearing he\u2019d see pressure.<\/p>\n
On a red zone play, Saleh ran a simulated pressure that confused Nix. But it was the safety in the end zone where Saleh deserved to be on a pedestal. How about a 6-man pressure off the edge? Going from Nick Sorensen to Robert Saleh is like going from a sirloin to a filet.<\/p>\n
The backups gave Denver\u2019s starters all they could handle, so you\u2019ll see plenty of defensive linemen on this list. I thought Kalai Davis did a great job fighting over blocks and playing through the whistle. He recorded three run stops and also had a sack. If the 49ers can get that kind of production from Davis in 19 snaps during the regular season, look out.<\/p>\n
Winters is quickly becoming one of my favorite defenders to watch. On the safety play, he was the linebacker blitzing off the edge. However, it\u2019s what Winters does in the passing game that catches my eye. His coverage prowess is impressive. He knows where to be at all times and which wideout to account for.<\/p>\n
My bold prediction is that Winters notches an interception within the first month of the season. It\u2019ll happen not just because of Winters\u2019 athleticism, but because he\u2019s in the right spot at the right time more often than not.<\/p>\n
West got the start over second-round pick Alfred Collins. We know Collins missed a ton of time during the offseason, but you can\u2019t ignore when a Day 3 pick gets the nod over a top 50 pick. It\u2019s not as if West went out there and had four sacks. He had a pressure and went against multiple double teams against one of the best offensive lines in the NFL in his first preseason game. I can\u2019t ignore him starting, which is worthy of a \u201cwin\u201d here.<\/p>\n
The 49ers\u2019 defense has a chance to take a significant leap forward this season, thanks to the injection of athletes all over. Pinnock is not one of them. He missed a tackle at the line of scrimmage. Pinnock only played 11 snaps, but when you\u2019re responsible for giving up a first down in two series, you deserve to be on this list.<\/p>\n
I believe we\u2019re seeing Marques Sigle get reps with the first team to prepare the rookie for a role alongside Malik Mustapha when he returns. Sigle looked more like a vet than Pinnock.<\/p>\n
Saturday was a good reminder of why we see George Kittle left in as a blocker so often. It\u2019s the first game with a lot of new pieces, but Luke Farrell — who was signed because he was known as a competent blocker — whiffed for a sack on his lone pass pro opportunity. Brayden Willis was serviceable, but maybe that\u2019s just because he didn\u2019t make any obvious mistakes. Jake Tonges wasn\u2019t out there moving defenders, either.<\/p>\n
The 49ers are a Ben Bartch injury away from Zakelj starting, and that\u2019s worrisome. To me, that game highlighted Zakelj\u2019s lack of fight. There were plenty of times I found myself watching the offense, wondering how much trouble they\u2019d be in because Zakelj\u2019s man kept winning against him.<\/p>\n
Between Sorensen, Zakelj, and Martin, Saturday wasn\u2019t a good day to have the first name Nick.<\/p>\n
Martin\u2019s head was spinning. He missed multiple tackles in limited opportunities, not because of his size, but because of Martin\u2019s recklessness. He was out of control. I would argue that he was worse in coverage. Martin allowed five receptions on six targets for 59 yards, with 46 of them coming after the catch.<\/p>\n
On one play with Tatum Bethune, there was a shallow crosser going in both directions. Martin chased after one of the crossers, and left the crosser coming in his direction wide open. It\u2019s one game, but the rookie looked lost and like he had a long way to go before he could step onto the field.<\/p>\n
What happens at wide receiver without Robinson?<\/p>\n
Watching Demarcus Robinson and thinking, \u201cOh, they got a good one.\u201d And then, realizing Robinson will probably miss the first three games, I thought, \u201cWhat happens without him?\u201d<\/p>\n