San Francisco 49ers Preseason: Stock watch after win vs Chiefs

After the San Francisco 49ers beat the Kansas City Chiefs, we look at the players whose stock changed following the preseason opener.

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-17, in their preseason opener in a game that provided plenty of reasons for optimism, as well as some cause for concern.

While the first-team offense struggled, there were some positive signs from defense, despite allowing an opening-drive touchdown. The second and third-string offenses had a better time of it, but there will still be plenty of players still with something to prove in Saturday’s game with the Denver Broncos.

Here we look at whose stock rose and whose stock dropped after the win in Kansas City.

Stock UP

C.J. Beathard

After some early jitters where he held the ball too long, Beathard settled in and led the 49ers to an impressive comeback, displaying impressive pocket movement to buy time and find Kendrick Bourne for a 46-yard touchdown before hitting Tyler McCloskey on the run for what proved to be the decisive score.

Talk of Beathard leapfrogging Matt Barkley for the No. 2 quarterback spot had already been growing before the preseason opener and Kyle Shanahan has now said he will look to get the former Iowa Hawkeye in earlier against the Denver Broncos. The intrigue around Beathard will only increase should he impress again.

Running Backs

Carlos Hyde had a quiet game, but it remains clear he is the undisputed starter heading into the season, though the two rookies supposedly challenges him also impressed. Undrafted free agent Matt Breida came in with the second-string and, despite seeing some runs stuffed, the 5-11 tailback surprisingly flourished in-between the tackles and also had two receptions.

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Joe Williams then came in and displayed the hugely impressive speed that will have undoubtedly attracted Shanahan to him in the draft as he racked up 60 yards — averaging 6.0 yards after contact according to Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus.

Aldrick Robinson and Kendrick Bourne

Aldrick Robinson was very much a complementary player in Kyle Shanahan’s offense in Washington and Atlanta, but he was a huge factor at Arrowhead, as he recorded 83 yards receiving despite being targeted just four times, showing the speed that has been apparent in camp on a 63-yard catch and run from Barkley.

Robinson — with his knowledge of Shanahan’s scheme — should provide a useful third or fourth option, and Kendrick Bourne has inserted himself into the conversation as a possible weapon in the passing game after making four receptions for 88 yards, catching the touchdown from Beathard and displaying his impressive radius to haul in a fade on a two-point conversion try.

Shanahan, per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, praised Bourne’s ability to separate and his hands. If he continues to show off those abilities, he will be in a strong position to be the final receiver to make the roster.

Solomon Thomas and Aaron Lynch

He may have been playing against the second- and third-string, but Solomon Thomas looked like a player worthy of the third overall pick. The former Stanford defensive end was a wrecking ball against the run and the pass. Per Pro Football Focus, Thomas logged a hit and two hurries on 20 pass-rush snaps and two run stops on seven run snaps. He will not be second-string for long.

Aaron Lynch is another pass rusher on the up after registering two sacks and a batted pass in a performance that provided hope he can finally deliver on the promise of his 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Reuben Foster

Any doubts about Reuben Foster’s play in coverage should have been allayed when he perfectly defended an attempted touchdown pass to a tight end from Alex Smith, although he did drop what looked a sure-fire interception.

Coverage was the area of Foster’s game that many people questioned, despite the linebacker having been lined up against running backs, tight ends and even occasionally wide receivers at Alabama. The No. 31 overall pick has been a turnover machine in camp and, after receiving a game-high 86.8 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, the hype is unlikely to subside.

Stock DOWN

Brian Hoyer

All of these performances come with the predictable caveat that “it’s only preseason”. But it wasn’t pretty for starting quarterback Brian Hoyer. One completion for four yards hardly breeds confidence about a player who is seen is a quarterback with a limited ceiling. A much improved showing is needed against Denver.

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Offensive Line

The depth on the offensive line took a hit when the 49ers decided to cut center experienced center Jeremy Zuttah. And San Francisco’s lack of quality reserves on the offensive side of the trenches was quickly exposed by the Chiefs, who consistently pressured the 49ers quarterbacks and posted three sacks, two of them on Beathard.

San Francisco created a roster spot by cutting UDFA lineman Richard Levy, it will be interesting to see if the Niners add another experienced player to the O-line in the wake of this worrying showing by the guys up front.

Ronald Blair

It’s not that Ronald Blair did anything wrong, the problem for the defensive lineman is that he suffered a groin strain, which is expected to keep him out of the game with Denver. With so much competition for places, Blair can hardly afford to miss a game and it is an injury that may well end up costing him his roster spot.

Cole Hikutini

There has been much excitement about the athleticism UDFA tight end Cole Hikutini has displayed in camp. But it appears to be time to cool talk of him making the team after the former Louisville player played just 11 snaps, per Maiocco, compared to 34 for George Kittle, Vance McDonald’s 37, Blake Bell’s 34 and 24 for Garrett Celek.

Next: NFL Power Rankings 2017: Preseason Week 2

That number may increase versus the Broncos, but for now, a low snap count does not bode well for a player trying to make the team and one who has been described as inconsistent in camp.