Cowboys vs. 49ers: Preseason Week 1 grades and analysis

Offensive Grades

The San Francisco 49ers were able to move the ball over the course of the game, but turnovers killed drives and kept the team from scoring points.

While the Niners’ running game was dormant in the first half, it improved as the game progressed. And when it counted, the 49ers’ passing game definitely came to life.

Quarterback

Garoppolo attempted just six passes, and only completed his three third-down attempts. He converted third-and-long attempts to both James and WR Marquise Goodwin, but came up short on a third-and-16 completion to RB Jerick McKinnon.

Backup quarterback C.J. Beathard was 10-of-20 for 181 yards and an interception. Beathard was heavily pressured, and showed his toughness by stepping into throws, knowing he was about to take a big hit.

Beathard’s problem isn’t a lack of toughness, it’s a lack of accuracy — particularly on deep throws. A number of Beathard’s completions came on poorly thrown passes, and he consistently underthrew his receivers, even when they were wide open down the field:

Mullens’ interception also came on a tipped pass — otherwise the third-stringer was impressive against the Cowboys’ backups. Mullens completed 11 of 13 attempts for 141 yards, and led the 49ers on two touchdown drives.

Grade: B-

Running Back

McKinnon rushed for negative yardage on four attempts, and caught a third-down reception short of the sticks, while Breida only had one rushing attempt before he left the game.

Williams scored a touchdown, but was limited to 2.5 yards a carry on 11 attempts. McNichols ran hard on his three rushing attempts — scoring a touchdown — and caught his lone target.

Running back and special-teamer Raheem Mostert was the most impressive of the bunch — until he fumbled in a key situation. The foursome failed to crack 100 yards rushing on 26 attempts, although a number of their stuffed runs were the fault of the team’s offensive line.

Grade: C-

Wide Receiver / Tight End

Second-year receivers Kendrick Bourne and Victor Bolden looked like seasoned veterans, aside from Bolden’s drop which hit him in the helmet. Aldrick Robinson had a nice 33-yard reception, but failed to catch his other three targets; Dante Pettis also caught a long pass, but was unable to haul in his other three opportunities.

Rookie Richie James was the star of the show, with four receptions, including the game winning touchdown:

Grade: B+

Offensive Line

While the 49ers’ offensive line didn’t allow a sack, the Niners’ quarterbacks were constantly under pressure throughout the game, and numerous passes were tipped by defenders at the line of scrimmage. However, Dallas appeared to blitz at a heavy rate for a preseason game, particularly the first preseason game of the season.

The offensive line wasn’t much help in the running game either, as the team’s rushers were often hit in the backfield as soon as they were given the ball. The Niners’ line appeared to gel as the game progressed, but this unit will need to show improvement going forward.

Grade: C-