49ers stock watch entering Week 3 of 2018 preseason

4 of 9

SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 31: Nick Mullens #1 of the San Francisco 49ers is pressured by Whitney Richardson #65 of the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Stock up: Nick Mullens

It’s time to reward the hot hand, Nick Mullens deserves a chance for the backup job.

It’s hard to get too excited over his performances over camp bodies and scrubs. But after leading the 49ers to a victory over the Cowboys and going 6-of-7 passing and 87 yards, he’s earned the right to compete for the backup role.

His one blemish, an interception on a short throw to Joe Williams, wasn’t entirely on him. It wasn’t a great throw, but a better player would have protected the throw better.

Mullens has been one of the most unheralded players of the 49ers preseason. No. 2 quarterback C.J. Beathard was presumed to be the locked-in choice for backup, but the story might have a twist.