First, let me start by saying wideout Deebo Samuel is the most dangerous weapon in football. The Faithful are happy to have him here, wearing the red and gold. Perhaps Samuel's aggressive style has been good for the team and rubbed off on many of the players. With Deebo being out for the remainder of the regular season, the 49ers are still dangerous, starting with the quarterback, rookie Brock Purdy.
Brock Purdy has brought a different, almost uncanny style of play to the 49ers. He can scan progressions and release the ball quickly, which allows his playmakers to activate. Purdy has been a critical component of the 49ers having such an aggressive style of play on offense the past two games. His ability to scramble and extend plays forces defenses to play a more honest type of defense that unlocks the other levels of the 49ers' offense.
Christian McCaffrey and the run game is that other level. McCaffrey is the X-factor of the 49ers. He's the piece that, if utilized, makes the run game electrifying. Last week McCaffrey helped the 49ers rush for over 200 yards against a top 8 defense. His threat in the passing game separates McCaffrey from all other running backs in the league. McCaffrey isn't a violent type of running back, but his one-cut ability and breakaway speed will keep defenders biting the dust.
George Kittle is the best tight end in football, and no one, especially The Faithful, cares about his statistics. Kittle is the most valuable piece to the 49ers offense. His ability to block in the run game is why those outside zone runs look so pretty on television. Do not forget that Kittle can catch and is dangerous in the YAC game. Purdy went to Kittle early against Tampa Bay. Tight ends are most quarterbacks' best friends. Kittle is as dangerous as they come and is probably the most violent tight end in the NFL. Good things happen when the ball is In Kittle's hands.
Then there's the elusive route-running and pass-catching of wideout Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk has become every Niners quarterback's favorite weapon. With Aiyuk, it doesn't matter which quarterback he's receiving from; he's ready to make plays and score touchdowns. Aiyuk isn't only a threat in the YAC game. He can stretch the field for big plays and, most importantly, score in the red zone. Aiyuk comes to play every week.
Other players—like Tyler Kroft, Jordan Mason, Jauan Jennings, and Ray-Ray McCloud—are the perfect complementary pieces to the starting weapons on the offense. When you need to ground and pound and close out the game, the 49ers "Free Mason." When you need a third down completion, it's "3rd and Jauan" time. Another tight end that can block and receive like Kittle is Tyler Kroft. The 49ers may be without Samuel, but Ray-Ray McCloud can line up in the backfield. Just don't run him up the middle.
The 49ers are a very dangerous team offensively, from the starting unit to the complementary players. Expect the 49ers to remain competitive and get healthy during their push into the 2022 NFL playoffs.
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Written by:Wayne Breezie is a 49ers content creator. He had his first guest appearance on Ronbosports in 2012. He began writing for a Facebook group called the League of the 49ers. Next, he began writing for Nothing But Niners in 2017. In 2018, Wayne Breezie made his debut on YouTube’s Nothing But Niners show. In 2019, he started his podcast called Nitty Gritty Niners. After putting the pen down for several years, Breezie saw an opportunity to write for 49erscap.com. His first published article was in January of 2022 with 49ersCap, and he currently writes and produces weekly podcasts.
