The San Francisco 49ers concluded their season with a 6-11 record following a 47-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 18. Pro Football Focus has released its grades and snap counts from the game, shedding light on which 49ers players excelled and which struggled.
Below are Pro Football Focus' five highest-graded 49ers players on offense against the Cardinals.
- Kyle Juszczyk, FB, 86.6, 32 snaps
- Jauan Jennings, WR, 77.2, 25 snaps
- Chris Conley, WR, 74.7, 38 snaps
- Colton McKivitz, RT, 74.3, 62 snaps
- Patrick Taylor, RB, 70.5, 64 snaps
Below are the five highest-graded 49ers players on defense.
- Nick Bosa, DE, 80.7, 24 snaps
- Tatum Bethune, LB, 72.7, 40 snaps
- Jalen Graham, LB, 72.2, 6 snaps
- Evan Anderson, DT, 71.8, 30 snaps
- Fred Warner, LB, 69.2, 54 snaps
Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on offense.
- Brayden Willis, TE, 33.5, 13 snaps
- Charlie Heck, LT, 43.8, 55 snaps
- Austen Pleasants, LT, 49.3, 35 snaps
Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on defense.
- Jordan Elliott, DT, 29.9, 40 snaps
- Rock Ya-Sin, CB, 33.8, 29 snaps
- Maliek Collins, DE, 43.3, 35 snaps
Quick Takeaways
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk earned the highest grade among 49ers players in the loss to the Cardinals. His 86.6 offensive grade marked a season-high and was his best performance since Week 3 of the 2019 season (91.8). However, from an analytics standpoint, Juszczyk endured a disappointing 2024 campaign overall. Despite earning his ninth consecutive Pro Bowl selection, he finished the season with an overall offensive grade of 61.8.
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Wide receiver Jauan Jennings exited the game early following consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Before his departure, he posted a solid 77.2 offensive grade—his best since Week 11 against the Seahawks (82.1). Jennings also excelled as a run blocker, earning the team's highest grade in that category (80.7). He finished the game with seven catches for 52 yards, leaving him just 25 yards short of his first 1,000-yard season.
Right tackle Colton McKivitz was the highest-graded 49ers offensive lineman (74.3), while left guard Nick Zakelj shined as the top pass blocker, earning an impressive 89.4 grade in that category without surrendering a single pressure.
Pressures allowed among O-line:- LT Charlie Heck - 5
- RG Dominick Puni - 3
- RT Colton McKivitz, LT Austen Pleasants - 2 each
Quarterback Josh Dobbs made his first start for the 49ers, completing 67.4% of his passes for 326 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. However, he struggled with ball security, losing a fumble to bring his turnover total to three. Dobbs earned a 51.5 offensive grade for his performance.
Defensive end Nick Bosa's 80.7 defensive grade was the best among his teammates. He recorded two pressures in 17 pass-rushing snaps. Bosa also earned the game's best pass-rushing grade (76.9). It was his sixth game this season with a defensive grade of 80.2 or higher.
Pressures by 49ers defenders:- DE Nick Bosa, DT Jordan Elliott, LB Fred Warner - 2 each
- DT Maliek Collins - 1
Cornerback Nick McCloud earned the 49ers' best run defense grade (80.4), while safety Tashaun Gipson recorded the game's best tackling grade (83.6).
Missed tackles by 49ers defenders:- LB Tatum Bethune, S Ji'Ayir Brown, LB Fred Warner - 2 each
- DE Yetur Gross-Matos, S Talanoa Hufanga - 1 each
Linebacker Tatum Bethune earned the 49ers' top coverage grade, not allowing a single reception. Although, he was only targeted once.
49ers Week 18 Snap Counts
Offense
76 - Dominick Puni (RG), Joshua Dobbs (QB), Nick Zakelj (LG)
73 - Jake Brendel (C)
70 - Ricky Pearsall (WR)
64 - Patrick Taylor (RB)
62 - Colton McKivitz (RT)
55 - Charlie Heck (LT)
50 - Jacob Cowing (WR)
49 - Eric Saubert (TE)
38 - Chris Conley (WR)
35 - Austen Pleasants (LT)
32 - Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
25 - Jauan Jennings (WR)
22 - George Kittle (TE)
13 - Brayden Willis (TE)
12 - Trent Taylor (WR)
4 - Isaac Guerendo (RB)
3 - Matt Hennessy (C)
1 - Jake Tonges (TE)
Defense
64 - Charvarius Ward (CB)
62 - Dee Winters (LB)
54 - Fred Warner (LB)
47 - Ji'Ayir Brown (SS)
40 - Jordan Elliott (DT), Tatum Bethune (LB)
38 - Renardo Green (CB), Yetur Gross-Matos (DE)
36 - Tashaun Gipson Sr. (SS)
35 - Maliek Collins (DE)
34 - Sam Okuayinonu (DE)
30 - Evan Anderson (DT)
29 - Leonard Floyd (DE), Rock Ya-Sin (CB)
26 - Nick McCloud (CB)
25 - Malik Mustapha (FS), Talanoa Hufanga (FS)
24 - Nick Bosa (DE)
23 - Kalia Davis (DT)
15 - Alex Barrett (DE)
6 - Jalen Graham (LB)
1 - Brayden Willis, Chris Conley, DaShaun White (LB), Isaac Yiadom (CB), Jacob Cowing, Jake Tonges
Special Teams
25 - Isaac Yiadom
24 - Ji'Ayir Brown
22 - Alex Barrett
21 - Jake Tonges
19 - Tatum Bethune
16 - Brayden Willis, Jalen Graham
15 - Chris Conley, Eric Saubert
11 - Dee Winters, Jacob Cowing, Nick McCloud, Rock Ya-Sin
10 - Jake Moody (K), Jordan Elliott, Tashaun Gipson Sr.
9 - Maliek Collins, Yetur Gross-Matos
8 - Evan Anderson, Fred Warner, Trent Taylor
7 - Pat O'Donnell (P), Taybor Pepper (LS)
5 - Austen Pleasants, Charlie Heck, Colton McKivitz, Dominick Puni, Matt Hennessy, Nick Zakelj
3 - DaShaun White, Talanoa Hufanga
2 - Kalia Davis, Leonard Floyd, Malik Mustapha, Nick Bosa, Renardo Green
1 - Patrick Taylor, Sam Okuayinonu