Niner Noise
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Predicting the 49ers’ 2018 starting lineup after opening wave of NFL free agency

By Peter Panacy

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)
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 – DECEMBER 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers signalsto his team during their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers signalsto his team during their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Quarterback

Jimmy Garoppolo

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As if this needed any explanation.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will have to develop a similar kind of chemistry he had with Daniel Kilgore, now with Weston Richburg. And who knows how the guard position will play out between now and the regular season?

Still, Garoppolo’s release time speaks for itself. When releasing the ball by 2.5 seconds or less, Garoppolo still had a quarterback rating of 103.6, per Pro Football Focus. That’s eighth best among qualifiers and ahead of other QBs, such as the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady (103.3) and the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers (100.5).

Keep in mind, those stats were accumulated with Garoppolo possessing a limited knowledge of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, a sub-par crop of wide receivers and a questionable offensive line.

Plus, adding Jerick McKinnon to the mix only serves to help Garoppolo in the short-range game.

Next: Biggest winners & losers from day one of NFL free agency

If Garoppolo can build upon an already-impressive start with San Francisco, there’s little reason to assume the 49ers offense will be dynamic in 2018.