Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Offenses (21-25)

September 16, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Lions 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers 12-4
Last Season’s Rankings: #24 Overall Offense (323.8 total yards per game) #30 Passing Offense (186.2 passing yards per game) #3 Rushing Offense (137.6 rushing yards per game)
Last Season
One sided could definitely describe this 2013 San Francisco offense. While Frank Gore and the 49ers’ runnin game was the third best, their passing game was the third worst. However, because their running game and defense were so successful, they were able to gain a 12-4 record. One of the reasons for the 49ers decline in passing yards would have to be the absence of WR Michael Crabtree. Without Crabtree, the 49ers were forced to throw to Anquan Boldin and TE Vernon Davis. In 2014, the injury woes of the past should be just that; a part of the past.

Run Offense
This season the 49ers have changed a lot from their 2012 days of running the read option. Although the Niners still used the read option, it is definitely not as prominent as it once was last season. This season we have seen a changing of the guard for San Francisco in the play of their star Sophomore QB Colin Kaepernick. In 2013 Kaepernick and the 49ers have transitioned from adequate passing team to more of a mediocre passing team. For Kaepernick, he and the 49ers’ 186.2 passing yards per game ranked 3rd-worst in the NFL, lagging behind teams such as Buffalo and even Minnesota. But where the Niners show their real tenacity is through their superb running game. While the Niners are the 3rd worst in passing, they ranked 3rd-best in rushing with 137.6 rushing yards per game along with a combined 13 rushing touchdowns from Kapernick and RB Frank Gore this season. As of late, the regular season stats for the Niners have not really been showing the entire picture. Against the Packers, time after time after time Colin Kaepernick was taking off on QB keepers and avoiding tackles especially on the game-winning drive to set up a Phil Dawson field goal for the win. As well, Frank Gore, the unsung hero of San Francisco’s 12-4 squad, has played outstanding as well. This season Gore rushed for 1,128 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Kendall Hunter and Kaepernick went on to add 882 combined yards and seven touchdowns on 170 carries for a 5.18 average. 2014 will see the usual suspects, however in the draft the 49ers were able to add rookie Carlos Hyde who rushed for 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns his senior season at Ohio State (7.3 yards per carry average, as well). I believe that nothing should change for the 49ers rushing offense except that they could possibly get better. Unless, of course, the 49ers put more of an emphasis on improving the passing game in 2014. If that is the case, expect the running game still to be a predominant part of the game, just not the main focus.

Pass Offense
Since the former Nevada Quarterback took the NFL by storm in his Sophomore year, reaching the Super Bowl after replacing starting QB Alex Smith midway into the season, he has been praised, criticized and criticized some more for the majority of the season. What we have seen from Kaepernick all his 2013 season has been his lack of a passing presence. In 2013, Kaepernick averaged only 199.8 passing yards per game (ranked 30th in the league), while rushing for 524 of the 49ers’ 2,201 rushing yards this season (ranks 3rd in the NFL). Compared to Kaepernick’s 2012 season where he averaged 226.7 yards and 62.4% completion percentage through the air as well as 38 yards rushing per game, 2013 was considerably less productive. This season, Kaepernick averaged just 199.8 passing yards and a 58.4% completion percentage through the air as well as only rushing for 32.75 yards per game. What could be most attributed to Kaepernick’s drop-off? Well for starters, Kaepernick’s favorite target Michael Crabtree tore his achilles heel before the start of the regular season and was forced to miss all but 5 games this season. Another factor could be the 49ers’ reliance on their running game. This season while their passing offense was the 3rd-worst in the NFL, their rushing offense was the 3rd-best. But in reality that is no excuse for the 3rd-year QB to be completing only 58% of his throws and turn the ball over 10 times. What was great though about Kaepernick in these 2013 playoffs was that even with all of the odds stacked against him, he was able to put up two solid performances against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the Wild Card round and then Cam Newton and the Panthers in the Divisional Round. In Kaepernick’s first two playoff games, he averaged 211.5 yards through the air as well as 56.5 yards on the ground including a rushing touchdown against the Panthers. With all of that said, when looking at Kaepernick’s fortunes for the 2014 season, I think they’re bright.The addition of Kaepernick’s favorite target Anquan boldin has helped the 49ers immensely. In 2013, Boldin was able to catch 85 passes for 1,179 yards and seven touchdowns. His counterpart TE Vernon Davis was also just as lucky, catching 52 passes for 850 yards and 13 touchdowns. Now reason why the 49ers lacked a passing game in 2013 was because they had hardly any other receivers. In 2014, the 49ers have many more receivers to chose from. For instance, former Buffalo Bill Stevie Johnson (averaged 1,041 yards, 7.6 touchdowns and 79 receptions from 2010-2012) will be joining the likes of rookie Bruce Ellington (687.5, 44.5 receptions and 7.5 touchdowns in final two seasons as a Gamecock) and sophomore WR Quinton Patton (1,297 yards, 12 touchdowns and 91.5 receptions in final two seasons at Louisiana Tech). I think that we shouldn’t see a huge spike in production from Kaepernick, however I think that a spike will most definitely be present. Last season the 49ers’ problem was lack of talent. In 2014 with new receivers, that should be a thing of the past. 

In The End
In the end, whether we would like to admit it or not, Colin Kaepernick is one of the most talented QBs in the game right now. He and Frank Gore can run up and down opposing defenses without hardly moving a finger. Reason why I have the 49ers ranking where they are is because of their off-season additions. I always have been a believer in Stevie Johnson and I think that San Francisco is where he does the most damage.