49ers player stock watch halfway through 2018 preseason
By Peter Panacy
49ers Running Game
Joe Williams is already under a microscope two weeks through the preseason, but the entire 49ers ground attack hasn’t flashed the kind of explosiveness many thought would be a major factor in Kyle Shanahan’s offense this season.
In preseason Week 1 against the Cowboys, the Niners managed 98 rush yards but a mere 3.8 yards per attempt. The team’s leading rusher from that game, special teams ace Raheem Mostert, accounted for 57 of those yards on eight carries. So that stat is skewed.
Things looked worse in Houston. San Francisco’s leading rusher ended up being Jeremy McNichols, who had a team-high 28 yards but on 10 attempts — averaging out at 2.8 yards per carry.
Not very good.
OK, so the Niners haven’t enjoyed the luxury of a full game with runners Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida, due to their respective injuries. But between the two, the 49ers have a net total of minus-1.0 rush yards.
Part of the issue has been San Francisco’s offensive line, which has generally struggled to open up lanes for the 49ers ball carriers. Whether this unit is still waiting to jell or if it’s an indication of what’s to come is anyone’s guess.
Right now, however, Shanahan’s ground attack hasn’t materialized.