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49ers film room: Breaking down quarterback C.J. Beathard’s first NFL game

By Peter Panacy

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

C.J. Beathard’s Positives

While arm strength and progression reads are still not a part of C.J. Beathard’s game just yet, he was able to make a number of nice reads through traffic in Week 6.

Perhaps the best example of this was on a no-huddle play with 1:27 left in the second quarter at the Niners’ own 44-yard line, finding tight end George Kittle for a 31-yard gain:

Beathard’s pass fits through a nice window between three Washington defenders, put into a place where Kittle could make a relatively easy grab for a key first down.

The drive resulted in a one-yard touchdown run from Carlos Hyde.

Yet Beathard’s most impressive toss came with the 49ers trailing 26-17 with 2:08 remaining in the fourth quarter. This play resulted in Beathard’s first NFL touchdown — a 45-yard strike to wide receiver Aldrick Robinson.

Kittle doesn’t hold his block off the edge, but Beathard senses the pressure this time and steps up into a gap within the pocket:

TD1
TD1 /

At this point, Beathard could have scrambled up the middle for a decent gain without clock ramifications (the two-minute warning was only seconds away).

Instead, with his head looking downfield and before crossing the line of scrimmage, Beathard finds Robinson down the right side for a touchdown:

TD2
TD2 /

And in real time:

That’s a pretty elite-level play.

Beathard’s efforts in Week 6 were far from excellent or above average. But the part fans should get excited about is the fact he has a higher potential for making bigger plays and during more important moments.

More from Niner Noise

This isn’t exactly something we’ve been able to say about Brian Hoyer to date.

Considering this season, though, it’s not the worst idea to take the good with the bad from Beathard.

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And at least we’re starting to see what the rookie can do.