Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Grading each position heading into 2018 training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Solomon Thomas #94 and Eli Harold #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after the Seattle Seahawks missed a field goal attempt at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Solomon Thomas #94 and Eli Harold #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after the Seattle Seahawks missed a field goal attempt at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

QUARTERBACK . A. . .

Well, duh.

Jimmy Garoppolo changed everything. It’s that simple.

The Niners were a one-win team before Garoppolo assumed starting duties in Week 12 last year. They’re undefeated since.

More from Niner Noise

Of course, San Francisco will wind up losing some games this season. And, perhaps, Garoppolo will occasionally be the reason why. He’s not perfect. But he’s damned close, as far as Niner Noise’s criteria should be concerned.

OK, fanboy stuff aside, Garoppolo will enter 2018 with a full command of Kyle Shanahan’s complex offense. Jimmy G will also have a full offseason’s worth of rapport with his receiving corps — another valuable asset.

So if you’re thinking the rest of the NFL will figure Garoppolo out, well… don’t let it concern you too much.

In backup, the Niners will roll out second-year pro C.J. Beathard, whose rookie campaign wasn’t one to remember. But as a viable, tough-nosed backup, the 49ers could be much worse off.

San Francisco hopes Beathard won’t need to take a meaningful snap this season. That’s the plan, at least, as Garoppolo continues his mastery of the league and carries the 49ers to 10 consecutive Super Bowl titles.

Next: Early 49ers 53-man roster predictions for 2018

Well, maybe not that many. But his hype is warranted, and so is the A-grade.