Why the 49ers Offense Improves in 2018
Starting with Kyle Shanahan, one should look back at the parallels he had as the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator between 2015 and 2016, followed by his first-year efforts in San Francisco last season:
| Over | Over | Offe | Offe | Offe | Rush | Rush | Rush | Rush | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Tm | Role | Pts± | Yds± | Yds | Pts | GvA | Att | Yds | TD | Y/A | Att | Yds | TD | Int | NY/A |
| 2015 | ATL | OC | 15 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 26 | 16 | 19 | 12 | 25 | 8 | 6 | 23 | 24 | 10 |
| 2016 | ATL | OC | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2017 | SFO | HC | 19 | 16 | 12 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 7 | 17 | 2 | 9 | 28 | 23 | 16 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/20/2018.
Shanahan’s first year in Atlanta revealed middle-of-the-pack numbers. Even with a plethora of offensive talent, namely quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones, the Falcons offense didn’t hit its stride until the following season.
The 49ers lacked a lot of the talent Shanahan enjoyed in 2015 and 2016. But it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to think they’ll come close to being a top-five offense based off this improvement.
San Francisco 49ers
With Shanahan’s offense being one of the most complex in the NFL, it takes time for players to master and learn it. Atlanta is a keen example.
So is a tailor-made offense, though.
And if it all starts up front, one can argue San Francisco’s O-line additions will do a lot of good. Despite finishing at No. 10 in Football Outsiders‘ run-blocking metric, the Niners still managed just 4.1 rush yards per attempt — 17th in the NFL.
Adding a player like Mike McGlinchey should open things up for Jerick McKinnon which, in turn, makes Shanahan’s offense all the more balanced.
That same balanced offense will make Jimmy Garoppolo’s life all the more easy too.
We could spew on and on about how good Garoppolo can be this season, particularly with a full offseason’s worth of digesting Shanahan’s playbook. But we’ve already done that here, here and here.
Instead, let’s factor in his receiving corps. Pierre Garçon was on pace to hit 1,000 receiving yards in 2017 before suffering a season-ending neck injury halfway through the year. The tough, physical veteran should only serve to boost Garoppolo’s numbers. No. 2 receiver Marquise Goodwin set career highs in receptions (56) and receiving yards (962), which could easily carry over to 2018.
Second-year players, tight end George Kittle and slot receiver Trent Taylor, also had commendable rookie efforts last season. Kittle’s first year was historic, and Taylor’s 19 third-down receptions for a first down were tied for ninth most in the NFL.
And any notable impact from 2018 rookie wideout Dante Pettis — arguably college football’s best route runner last year — will merely be a bonus.
Jerick McKinnon the X-Factor
San Francisco’s entire offensive focus will center on Garoppolo, but McKinnon could be the piece that makes it all work.
And if you’re among those worried about McKinnon never having crested more than 570 rush yards in a single season, chew on this from Fourth and Nine’s Dylan DeSimone:
Maybe we should say Shanahan’s offense is the X-factor. But McKinnon will still make it tick.
As a pass-catcher (a crucial element to the system and an area in which Carlos Hyde struggled), McKinnon is more than effective. He had nearly as many receiving yards last year (421) as he did those 570 rush yards.
Tack on his excellent pass-blocking abilities, and the Niners now have themselves a well-rounded player who somehow never found a prominent role with Minnesota.
So those familiar with what Shanahan did with Falcons runner Devonta Freeman in 2015 and 2016 shouldn’t be surprised to see McKinnon the next protege.