Niner Noise
FanSided

Projected 49ers Week 1 starting lineup halfway through 2018 preseason

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 hands off to Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 hands off to Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Quarterback

Jimmy Garoppolo

Again, no surprises here.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s preseason debut wasn’t exactly stellar, as he went 3-of-6 against the Cowboys and overthrew his targets by a wide margin on all three misses. He bounced back nicely in Houston, however, finishing 10-of-12 with one touchdown and an interception on a pass intended for Dante Pettis.

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Garoppolo is the clear heartbeat of San Francisco’s offense this season. There’s little questioning how effective this unit can be with him under center, and a full offseason’s absorption of Kyle Shanahan’s playbook should make Jimmy G all the more potent.

Still, just as the Super Bowl-defending Philadelphia Eagles proved, backup quarterbacks can be just as important.

Unfortunately for the 49ers, second-year pro C.J. Beathard hasn’t looked sharp this preseason. While he’s faced stiffer competition over two exhibition bouts, the realization No. 3 QB Nick Mullens is looking more poised and confident under center during his chances have sparked something of a backup quarterback controversy.

It won’t change Shanahan’s depth plans here, however. Beathard will get the nod over Mullens, who could still be looking to impress one of the other 31 teams out there seeking a possible backup upgrade.

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As long as Garoppolo sees all the meaningful snaps in 2018, it shouldn’t matter much, hopefully.