San Francisco 49ers: Preseason stock watch after loss vs Broncos

The San Francisco 49ers were beaten by the Denver Broncos in Week 2 of preseason, here we look at whose stock was affected in the 33-14 defeat.

The San Francisco 49ers‘ second preseason game did not go entirely to plan. In their home preseason opener, the Niners were soundly beaten, 33-14, by the Denver Broncos, with untimely turnovers proving costly and leaving head coach Kyle Shanahan visibly frustrated.

Plenty of players were still able to boost their stock despite the loss, and here we look at who helped themselves and who didn’t against the Broncos.

Stock Up

The Offensive Line

Though the Broncos did force a Brian Hoyer fumble, that came about as a result of bad pass protection from running back Tim Hightower, with San Francisco’s O-line actually doing a very good job of giving Hoyer and C.J. Beathard time to throw. They weren’t able to engineer a lot of success on the ground but for a unit that comes into the year with many questions, it was a very nice showing.

More from San Francisco 49ers

• 49ers 7th-round pick turning out to be an absolute NFL Draft steal
• San Francisco 49ers almost did the unthinkable in 2022
• 3 reasons why Trey Lance could be labeled a bust after 2023
• The San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback situation is exhausting
• Sam Darnold could be the diamond in the rough for the 49ers

Undrafted free agent Erik Magnuson was one of the standout players on the night, providing an assured presence on the interior having been bumped up from third to second string. The former Michigan lineman arrived as a tackle, but has shown the versatility to play at guard and center and has done his hopes of a roster spot no harm.

The Safeties

Lorenzo Jerome and Eric Reid were everywhere while the first-team defense was on the field, the latter in particular looking like he was shot out of a cannon as he made six tackles, seemingly flourishing in his new role at strong safety.

In Jimmie Ward’s absence, free safety Lorenzo Jerome was the only 49ers defensive player to log all 36 snaps in the first half, per Pro Football Focus’ Jeff Deeney, providing a further indicator that the undrafted free agent could be set to stick around.

Jerome impressed significantly in camp and did not look out of place on the back end with the first-teamers, appearing to have the range to fulfill the single-high safety role should Ward go down again.

C.J. Beathard and George Kittle

The Iowa Hawkeye connection was revived for the 49ers’ only offensive score as C.J. Beathard hit George Kittle for a 29-yard touchdown on a good night for both quarterback and tight end. Bumped up from third string to immediate backup after leading the comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs, Beathard continues to look like he belongs in the NFL.

There were some errant throws from the third-round pick as he went 7-of-12 for 110 yards and the score, but the poise and pocket movement that impressed in the opener was on show again as was an ability to make throws on the run, doing so on the pass to Kittle.

Kittle was the star of OTAs and minicamp offensively and had been talked up as a potential starting tight end. After shaking off an injury and making this kind of impact on his debut, he should again be in the conversation as the top player at that position.

Tank Carradine

Most of the pass rush the 49ers were able to generate came from defensive end Tank Carradine. The former Florida State defensive end logged four pressures in just 10 pass rush snaps, according to Deeney, and also had two run stops.

The Niners need Carradine to provide them with a potent rotational piece at the big end position and, after his kind of performance, confidence in his ability to fulfil that role should have increased.

Stock Down

Tim Hightower

Free agent signing Hightower saw his first significant action of preseason and caught the eye for all the wrong reasons. Hightower’s three carries went for minus one yard while he also fumbled and conceded the pressure that led to a Hoyer fumble.

More from NFL Spin Zone

• Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
• Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
• Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
• Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens

With Matt Breida and Joe Williams impressing last week, Hightower’s struggles could hardly have been more untimely.

Matt Barkley

Reduced to the role of a late-game fill-in, Barkley attempted just two passes and lost a fumble on a botched running-back exchange. If the 49ers believe they need a veteran to back up Hoyer as well as Beathard, then Barkley may remain on the roster. But at this point there can be little doubt his grip on a spot on the 53 is not strong.

Ahmad Brooks

One of the few veteran presences on the San Francisco defense, Brooks was demoted to second-team work for the Denver game in his battle for the SAM linebacker job with Eli Harold. Aged 33 and carrying a $6.1million cap hit this year — according to Over The Cap — playing with the backups is not a situation Brooks will want to be in.

Shanahan, per Niners Nation, has said salary will not impact his decision at SAM, where special teams ace Dekoda Watson is also in the mix.

Next: NFL 2017: 10 Head coaches already on the hot seat

Though Harold did not appear on the stat sheet, Brooks also made little impact even against second-teamers and, despite Shanahan’s dismissal of salary concerns, his contract is looking increasingly difficult to justify.