James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
PFF explains why there’s a ‘real chance’ Nick Mullens is a good quarterback
Jul 26, 2020 at 12:19 PM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Quarterback Nick Mullens won't get a start anytime soon without Jimmy Garoppolo being forced to miss a game. He has eight starts for the San Francisco 49ers, all of which came during the 2018 season after starter Garoppolo suffered a torn ACL, and C.J. Beathard proved ineffective and sustained an injury of his own.
It wasn't a big sample size, but Mullens filled in admirably, passing for 2,277 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions through those eight games before returning to his backup role the next season—following a training-camp competition with Beathard.
Analytics site Pro Football Focus recently
ranked the backup quarterback situations in the NFL, and San Francisco came in at No. 9, mostly due to Mullens.
"Beathard's performance in (head coach) Kyle Shanahan's QB-friendly scheme was much worse than Mullens," wrote Ian Hartitz. "At this point, Beathard's claim to fame is helping feed Carlos Hyde an egregious 88 targets during the 2017 season."
Ouch.
Hartitz notes that Mullens, on the other hand, had a less-than-ideal turnover and sack total but averaged 8.3 yards per attempt while throwing for 284.6 yards per game.
Mullens could be a good quarterback. For now, he is a good enough backup to fill in for Garoppolo, if needed. An undrafted-free-agent signing in 2017, he is entering his fourth season with Shanahan.
"There's a real chance that he's a #good QB," wrote Hartitz. "The only rookie-signal callers (minimum eight starts) to average more adjusted yards per attempt than Mullens since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger: Dak Prescott, Robert Griffin, Ben Roethlisberger,
Russell Wilson, and Dan Marino."
Michael Lombardi of The Athletic reported that the 49ers like Mullens so much that they passed on trade offers for the backup quarterback.
"They were asking about him, and they turned down every trade offer for Nick Mullens," Lombardi said before the draft. "They wouldn't trade him."
For now, San Francisco can be assured that they have a solid backup plan heading into the 2020 season.
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
PFF mock draft has 49ers adding cornerback with 'unique fluidity and size'
Analyst Steve Palazzolo unveiled a first-round mock draft for Pro Football Focus, attempting to forecast the selections for each NFL team within the top 32 picks. While the San Francisco 49ers concentrated on strengthening the defensive line in free agency, Palazzolo envisions the team continuing to fortify that side of the ball.
In his mock draft, Palazzolo predicts that the 49ers will select former Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa with the No. 31 overall pick.
"Tampa's unique fluidity and size for a cornerback make him worthy of a top-75 pick," reads the analysis from Pro Football Focus' big board. "If he can clean up his footwork, he can
PFF identifies 49ers draft fits in Day 2 and 3
The San Francisco 49ers have experienced success in the latter two days of the draft, discovering hidden gems capable of becoming key contributors. Some examples include tight end George Kittle in the fifth round in 2017, linebacker Fred Warner in the third round in 2018, wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the second round in 2019, and, famously, quarterback Brock Purdy with the final overall pick in 2022.
Pro Football Focus recently pinpointed one draft fit for each team on Day 2 and another for Day 3. Contributor Dalton Wasserman handled the duties for Day 2, zeroing in on former Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, who can excel on the edge or interior in
PFF high on this cornerback for 49ers in mock draft
Analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic grades former Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa as a second or third-round draft pick and ranks him 55th overall on his big board. Pro Football Focus, however, holds a higher opinion of the young defensive back. In his latest mock draft, the site's lead analyst, Sam Monson, has the San Francisco 49ers selecting Tampa with the No. 31 overall pick.
"T.J. Tampa fits the prototype of a 49ers cornerback," Monson explains. "He has had consecutive seasons of very impressive play and allowed just 240 yards on 49 targets last season. The team doesn't necessarily need him to make an immediate impact, but they could
Why one analyst is worried for Brock Purdy if 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy achieved a remarkable feat in 2023, setting a single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards. This accomplishment is noteworthy, considering the illustrious quarterbacks who have graced the organization's history.
A significant portion of those yards came from wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who amassed a career-high and team-leading 1,342 receiving yards. Most of his 75 catches originated from passes thrown by Purdy.
Amidst significant offseason chatter surrounding the 49ers' star receiver, including several unsubstantiated trade rumors, Aiyuk's future remains uncertain. Former NFL player James Jones, now an analyst, expressed concern for Purdy should Aiyuk's tenure in the Bay Area come to an end.
"I
