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Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman of ESPN's First Take have different predictions on who will start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers during the upcoming season. Kellerman often defends Jimmy Garoppolo against Smith's criticisms, so you might naturally assume that Kellerman would predict that San Francisco would avoid shaking things up. You might also assume that the critical Smith predicts that the 49ers move on from Garoppolo.
The opposite is true. Smith envisions San Francisco sticking with Garoppolo while Kellerman has another quarterback in mind to lead head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
"Me personally, I think it's going to be Jimmy G (as the 49ers' starter)," Smith declared. "That's what I believe. I believe that everybody's been talking about these other folks. The reality of the situation is that it comes down to what Max has said on numerous occasions. When [Garoppolo is] in the lineup, the San Francisco 49ers win football games. I think they're [24-9] with Jimmy G as a starter. I think that's what we're looking at here."
Smith's prediction takes Garoppolo's career 67.5 completion percentage and teammates like tight end George Kittle and cornerback Richard Sherman expressing unwavering belief in the quarterback into account.
"They believe in this guy," Smith added. "They believe, when he's healthy, he's an incredible asset to the franchise. ... [The 49ers] believe in Jimmy G. So, why go in a different direction when they've already been to a Super Bowl with this guy? I think that's their mentality, and I think as a result of that, they hold onto him and they give him a chance to move the franchise forward."
While Garoppolo has to be the odds-on favorite to be the 49ers' starting quarterback come Week 1, Kellerman has a different name in mind. No, it's not Deshaun Watson. However, he does believe that San Francisco inquiring about other quarterbacks this offseason shows that team decision-makers are at least pondering an upgrade.
"Clearly, they think they can do better," explained Kellerman. "It's out there too often. And where I look at is Atlanta because I know they would take an enormous cap hit. I mean, they'd have to restructure something with Matt Ryan. But that team should be rebuilding, and (owner) Arthur Blank has said that Matt Ryan's going to have a voice in what happens in his future. And Shanahan is there in San Francisco, where they are loaded.
"And Jimmy G is doing a good job, but maybe they feel, like the Rams felt with (Jared) Goff, they can find someone who can do a better job. Matt Ryan, maybe not what he once was — maybe they feel he's not what he once was — but maybe Shanahan looks at Matt Ryan and says, 'No, you give me that guy on this team, we've got a defense too, we're going to be just fine. We can make a Super Bowl run.'"
ESPN's Barnwell: 49ers trading up in Round 1 to draft a cornerback 'could make sense'
By David Bonilla
Apr 8
The San Francisco 49ers currently hold the No. 31 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. While many expect them to address the offensive line, given their recent focus on defense in free agency, ESPN's Bill Barnwell suggests a different approach. He advocates for the 49ers to use their first-round pick on a cornerback and potentially trade up to secure the right talent.
Trading up wouldn't be out of character for the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch regime. The last time the 49ers owned the No. 31 overall pick, they surrendered two more selections to move up to No. 25 overall, where they drafted wide receiver Brandon
Why ESPN analyst hopes 49ers address O-line in the draft
By David Bonilla
Apr 9
ESPN analyst Matt Miller watches the San Francisco 49ers differently than other teams. As a 49ers fan, he feels more invested in the team's successes and failures than most analysts.
With the draft nearing, Miller made it clear which direction he believes head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch should take with their first pick. In his ESPN mock draft, a seven-round doozy, the analyst had the 49ers selecting former Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
Miller recently joined the 49ers Webzone "No Huddle" podcast, sharing why he adamantly hopes the team addresses the offensive line at the end of the month.
"So I
No Huddle Podcast: 49ers Draft Plans With ESPN's Matt Miller
By Site Staff
Apr 10
(Episode 329) — Al Sacco is joined by ESPN NFL draft analyst and insider Matt Miller to discuss the best prospect fits for the 49ers, his connection to the 49ers, how the 49ers improve their receiver corp, the state of QB play in the NFL, and more.
The audio for the show is embedded above. Remember to subscribe!
You can watch the interview below.
You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast"
ESPN analyst on Brandon Aiyuk: 49ers shouldn't pay two receivers top dollar
By David Bonilla
Apr 9
ESPN analyst Matt Miller understands the perspective of San Francisco 49ers fans. After all, he has been a fan of the team since he was a kid. Seeing any of your favorite players leave and put on another uniform is tough.
It's also difficult to pay everyone, and Miller knows that. It's not a formula for successful roster building, including paying two wide receivers top dollar.
The 49ers are trying to negotiate a contract extension with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The team invested heavily in another receiver, Deebo Samuel, just two years ago. Is allowing each of them to consume a significant chunk of the salary cap feasible for a team that hopes to continue being competitive and win Super Bowls?
"I have to separate the fan part of my brain, who
