49ers player stock watch halfway through 2018 preseason
By Peter Panacy
![HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 18: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to break a tackle attempt by Zach Cunningham #41 of the Houston Texans during a preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 18: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to break a tackle attempt by Zach Cunningham #41 of the Houston Texans during a preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b45c466ca42b1a8665cc655dd6caa429f02887f20bf417b72da849a768026c75.jpg)
Quarterback Nick Mullens
Well, where did this guy come from?
Nick Mullens delivered a game-winning touchdown against Dallas during the 49ers’ exhibition opener, and he nearly engineered a would-be game winner in Houston.
Mullens came in late during the second half. And while his first drive ended in an interception — a bobbled catch attempt by running back Joe Williams (more on him later) — the Niners’ third-string quarterback managed to bounce back nicely and led his offense down the field, resulting in a go-ahead field goal that put San Francisco up 13-10 late in the fourth quarter.
Not bad at all.
Had the 49ers defense held its own against Texans backup quarterback Joe Webb and Co., Mullens’ drive would have been another big piece of preseason subject matter.
Still, that interception was Mullens’ lone blemish on the night. He was 6-of-7 for 87 yards, requiring fewer than half the attempts C.J. Beathard required to get to 82 yards.
Mullens isn’t going to beat out Beathard for the No. 2 quarterbacking spot on the 53-man roster. But the fact we’re even contemplating that suggests Mullens has made this competition all that more interesting.