49ers: 5 stats San Francisco needs to improve in 2018

5 stats the San Francisco 49ers need to improve in 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers drops the ball as he is hit by Shaq Green-Thompson #54 of the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Drops

For much of the 2017 season, it sure seemed like oh-so many 49ers drives were being stalled by dropped passes on offense.

It was frustrating to watch, for sure. And the numbers back it up.

According to the Washington Post, the Niners finished tied for second last year with 29 total drops. Running back Carlos Hyde ended up leading the team in dropped passes with six, while fellow tailback Matt Breida and tight end George Kittle had five apiece.

The latter two, being rookies, get a bit of a pass here. Hopefully those issues wind up being corrected after a full season at the pro level.

Hyde, who hits free agency this year, didn’t do himself any favors with those drops, though, especially for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, which is predicated on runners being able to play the part of a backfield receiver.

Development and personnel changes could help this stat category notably this season. Still, it was an ugly mark to San Francisco’s 2017 campaign.