Jimmy Garoppolo: 5 moves the 49ers can make to help their quarterback in 2018
By Chris Wilson
Develop or find a pass-catching running back
Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers left too many yards on the field due to drops by running backs Carlos Hyde and Matt Breida. Hyde — who is likely to test free agency this offseason — has never been known as a pass-catching back, and had more targets in 2017 than he did in his previous three seasons combined. Breida– who had just 22 receptions compared to 542 carries in his three years at Georgia Southern — caught a lower percentage of his targets than Hyde in 2017.
Running back Joe Williams — who spent the season on injured reserve — averaged just 10 catches per season at the University of Utah. The 49ers need to either develop one of their young backs into a pass catcher, or bring in a running back with the pass-catching ability needed for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense to truly thrive.
If Hyde walks in free agency, look for Shanahan and general manager John Lynch to draft a mid-round running back with skills both on the ground and through the air. The 49ers could also opt to find a pass catcher in free agency, like the Patriots’ Dion Lewis, or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Charles Sims.