49ers Stock Watch: Who’s Up and Down Midway through the 2016 Preseason?
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers are 1-1 in preseason football in 2016, and a number of players have shown more than just a commendable effort. Niner Noise looks at which players and units are on the rise as well as those who have seen their stock fall over these two games so far.
Two weeks of preseason football probably won’t tell San Francisco 49ers fans much about what to expect when the regular season rolls around.
But we can get a gauge on a number of things following the Niners’ 31-24 victory over the Denver Broncos Saturday night. Paired with San Francisco’s 24-13 preseason Week 1 loss to the Houston Texans, let’s take a look at which players and/or units have seen their stock rise or fall thus far.
It’s an important assessment. Head coach Chip Kelly and Co. aren’t simply going to hand positions out to players based on name alone. Guys will have to earn what they get.
And with so many question marks on the table, keeping stock on players will be a valuable assessment tool.
Even in the preseason.
What’s good is this — the Niners have a few contributors we probably didn’t expect to be major factors this upcoming season. If those guys continue to play well, don’t be surprised if they make it through the first wave of cuts.
Those cuts — the trimming of the 49ers’ 90-man roster down to 75 players — will take place following San Francisco’s third preseason game versus the Green Bay Packers this weekend.
Next: Stock Down: 49ers Running Backs