We're coming to the end of the preseason, and soon it will be time for week one for the San Francisco 49ers. The team has been ravaged by injuries and will look to get through the final preseason game without adding to that long list of wounded.
Former 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and former third-overall draft pick QB Trey Lance will visit the 49ers on Saturday. It's just a preseason game, but I can imagine Harbaugh and Lance would like to win this one.
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag earlier this week and solicited your questions. You had some good ones, so let's jump in and see what was on your mind.
If the 49ers pull off a major trade before the season, which position group do you think they'll target? - Dave B.
It would be wide receiver or running back, but I don't see the 49ers making a major trade before the season. It will be smaller trades for depth, like when the team traded for Skyy Moore. I include the trade for Brian Robinson, which the 49ers are reported to be making on Friday, as a minor trade, as well.
That said, Robinson is a bigger acquisition than Moore and fills a need the 49ers have. I like this addition, but it's not a big move that will put them over the top.
People are panicking about DT Alfred Collins, while it's early, and he's learning a new technique/dealing with earlier injuries. Are you concerned? - Justin W.
No, not really. He's learning a new defense, learning to play a different technique, and he's dealt with some injuries. Alfred Collins will be fine once everything clicks.
So, which on-the-bubble players could be traded prior to the final cutdown? - Ed H.
Some have mentioned Ji'Ayir Brown as a possible trade piece, but I doubt the 49ers would trade him, and I don't think he's on the bubble.
I don't see San Francisco trading any other players, unless it's a linebacker. That is probably their deepest position, and it's the only one I can see that another team may be interested in. The depth in San Francisco isn't great. Perhaps you've heard.
Does Ji'Aiyr Brown have any trade value? - Shawn
He does, but I'm not sure it would be as much as fans might hope the 49ers could get for him. For example, I don't think anyone would trade a third-round pick for Brown.
Could they get a fifth for him? Perhaps, but I doubt the 49ers will trade Brown, especially before Malik Mustapha returns.
What are your thoughts on Demarcus Robinson's veteran presence at WR once he returns from suspension, considering the 49ers' health at the position feels increasingly depleted, paired with a lot of youth? - Tim R.
The free agent pick-up of Demarcus Robinson was sneaky good. When everyone is healthy (and not suspended), the combination of Robinson, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall is a very good group, depending on how Aiyuk progresses.
Robinson has a lot of experience and will be an excellent veteran presence on this team, especially with so many young receivers.
Can you give me, I mean us, an update on the 49ers' kicker competition? - Greg J.
Hi, Greg. I'm sorry you have to find out this way, but you see—there was a preseason game last weekend, and Jake Moody—well, he walked one off. So, you probably should freshen up your resume.
Then again, you never know with Moody.
What do you make of the 49ers attempting to trade for a WR? A sign of injuries to the group or a potential replacement for Jennings? - ShoqMax
Are the 9ers still gonna try and trade for a wide receiver? - Frank S.
They need help at the position, which is why they traded for Moore. And according to Matt Maiocco, of NBC Sports Bay Area, they may not be finished.
But as I mentioned already, if they make another trade, it's unlikely that it will be a big-name player. Think depth.
My question is… when you guys are dominating a team in the running game and winning, why do you go away from that?! Watching from home, it looks like it's for NO reason at all. Enlighten me. Thanks. - Andrew S.
That's something that has baffled 49ers fans during the Kyle Shanahan era. There are times when the fanbase believes the offense should stick with the run game, and Shanahan does the opposite. It's been most noticeable in big games, like Super Bowls and NFC Championship games.
When he's been asked about it, he doesn't really give much of an answer. I suppose in those situations, he believed throwing the ball gave them the best chance to win. But the analytics tell a different story. When the 49ers run the ball more than they throw it, they rarely lose (49-6 since 2019). When they throw it more than they run it, their record is bad (20-38 since 2019).
Should fans who want to STILL hate on Moody because he played poorly the season he was forced to play with a high ankle sprain. While those same fans ignore the fact that he played well as a rookie, and he's playing well this preseason so far, be forced to stop calling themselves 49er fans? Yes or no? - Steven K.
Moody is indeed a lightning rod for controversy with the fanbase. But I think most fans root for him to succeed. If the game is on the line, and Moody has to make the field goal to win it, I doubt any true fan is hoping he misses. And if they are, they should find a different team—like the Rams, Seahawks, or Cowboys.
Who's your dark horse player that can surprise others this year? - CG Ruthless
I'm not sure he's a dark horse, but I believe Marques Sigle will be a nice surprise. He has excellent speed and range, and will make a lot of plays at the safety position.
Just saw the 2021 redraft by PFF... instead of Trey Lance, PFF had the 49ers taking Penei Sewell at no. 3. Who would you have had taken at no. 3 IF it was your 49ers 2021 redraft? Or would you have traded up at all from no. 12 to no. 3? - Johnny Y.
Penei Sewell would have been a good pick at number three. But I would have stayed put or moved up slightly and taken Micah Parsons. Imagine having Parsons and Nick Bosa on the same defense. If the 49ers had picked Parsons instead of Trey Lance, they would have beaten the Rams in the 2021 NFC Championship Game and probably the Bengals in that Super Bowl. And I think they would have beaten the Chiefs in the 2023 Super Bowl.
So I'm going with Parsons. Even though I don't think he's a very likable person.
Has anyone ever told you that you resemble Brent Jones? - Sasha R.
No, I've never been told I resemble Brent Jones. I did have a couple of guys on a podcast one time tell me I look like Kevin James, the actor from "The King of Queens." Unfortunately, I'm not as funny as he is.
I reached out to Jones to get a statement from him. I was curious if he'd be disgusted to think someone believes he looks like me. Jones told me, "I had no idea you were that strong and handsome." He's right, you know.
That's all we have for this edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll be back with another one next week.