Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Kurt Warner, as part of QBConfidential, takes a look at two aspects of the San Francisco 49ers — the team's defense and its run game. He shared his breakdowns via YouTube (h/t to Patrick Tulini).
49ers defense
"Defensively, the Niners are actually pretty simple...kind of like offensively, they like to do the same thing over and over again," writes Warner in the description for the video. "Because they are really good up front, defensively that's where they thrive. They typically don't give up the big plays, relying on Nick Bosa and company to get after the quarterback. Some of their struggles last year came when Bosa suffered the injury. He's such a difference maker, and that's really what makes this defense go. Pressure up front, Fred Warner right in the middle, one of the best linebackers in the NFL, and then smart players on the back end. Simple concepts through base downs, try not to give up the big play and get after the quarterback.
"With the 49er D, it starts up front: PRESSURE, PRESSURE, PRESSURE. They believe in their four guys up front, so they don't have to get too complicated on the backend. Keep everything in front of you…we've got good players, good linebackers. Fred Warner can cover sideline to sideline. So put the pressure on the offense to make play-after-play, and to block us up-front. We will change it up every once in a while; give you that shell, drop into a base cover-3. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated, just dropping an extra guy down low to take away some of those quicker throws. The changeup comes on 3rd Down. We are going to help those guys up front, we are going to mug, give pressure from different looks, come off the slot and that's where they hope to stop you. Bend, bend, bend; we get you in 3rd Down and now we believe we are better than you scheme-wise and player-wise and we are going to force you into making mistakes. That is going to be the key this next season. Can offenses block the front four starting with Nick Bosa? That's number one. Can you stay out of 3rd Down situations, can you deal with their scheme and can you as a quarterback make a positive play in those situations? All that will determine how teams do against this 49er defense. Or more importantly, how far can this 49ers team can go, because the defense led this team a couple of years ago. They've got the pieces to be able to do that again as long as they can create that pressure up front."
49ers run game
"When you're dealing with San Francisco, you have to start with the run game…because everything comes off of that and where they're really good is in the play action game," writes Warner in the description for the video. "Making everything look like their run…making all their runs look alike, especially up front with their offensive line, then countering that with a number of different plays… that's what we're going to take a look at in this episode.
"You'll notice that I don't show a lot of the drop back pass game. They're not particularly great in the drop back pass game because that's not what they major in. They major in what we see in this tape… they want to run the football with all kinds of different formations and all kinds of different personnel groups. They want to give everybody the football, not just the running backs…they'll get it to their tight ends, they'll get it to their receivers…even in the run game or the short passing game, that's where they want to live. They want to make it easy on their quarterback by designing easy play actions off of their run game…that's where they excel. When they get away from that, that's when they start to struggle. When they have to base everything off of a drop back game, that's where Jimmy G has struggled…that's where this whole offense has struggled. So that's what you have to pay attention to this upcoming year. When they got to the Super Bowl a couple years ago, it was all about running the football and play action. When they had to get away from that late in the game against Kansas City, they weren't nearly as successful. So that's what I got my eye on this next year…can they run the football like did two years ago. If they can, they're bound to have success offensively, because they will have the ability to establish great play action off of it. Can people stop the run game for the 49ers, force them to become a drop back game team? Then, whether it's Jimmy G or Trey Lance, can those guys thrive and carry that team in a drop back game…that's what I want to see."
7-round mock draft from The Athletic sees 49ers fortifying defense early
By David Bonilla
Apr 17
Analyst Dane Brugler recently revealed his seven-round mock draft for The Athletic, forecasting all 257 selections in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, set to kick off next week.
"Piecing together a mock like this is time consuming, but I enjoy the exercise, because it allows me to focus on each team's needs, organizational trends and prospect-team pairings that make sense based on '30' visits, league buzz and overall interest," Brugler wrote.
Most expect the 49ers to address the trenches early in the draft, and Brugler has the team doing that. It's just not on the offensive side of the football. In fact, Brugler doesn't have San Francisco
PFF mock draft has 49ers adding cornerback with 'unique fluidity and size'
By David Bonilla
Apr 10
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
Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy are why the 49ers can afford to pay Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
Apr 10
It's evident that the San Francisco 49ers engaged in long-term financial planning. Much discussion has centered around the feasibility of the team committing significant financial resources to two wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Some skeptics question the wisdom of such heavy investment in a single position, especially considering that the 49ers handed Samuel a substantial three-year extension merely two years ago.
Adding complexity to this debate is the impending contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, positioning him to become the highest-paid player on the team. He will likely even become one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Where he ranks in average salary will depend upon whether he can replicate the stellar performance of his Pro Bowl 2023
49ers Notebook: Local Pro Day Features Legacy WR and Veteran QB Hoping to Earn Roster Spots
By David Bonilla
Apr 10
With the NFL Draft just two weeks away, the San Francisco 49ers hosted their annual local pro day at Levi's Stadium. The event showcased 44 players, including four veterans, all vying to impress coaches and team decision-makers and earn a roster spot. The 49ers have 10 selections in the upcoming draft.
NFL local pro days provide draft prospects with ties to the local area an opportunity to showcase their talents to team personnel. These prospects typically hail from nearby colleges or have other connections to the region where the team is based.
Terrell's Son Seeks an Opportunity
Hall of