Here’s what the 49ers starting lineup should look like on offense
The Quarterback
I bet I fooled you there, right? No, in all honesty, the quarterback position here is largely irrelevant when thinking about the future of the 49ers. After all, Jimmy Garoppolo’s ACL injury ruined the team for a reason.
That being said, I wrote an article a few months ago detailing why C.J. Beathard’s development would be a crucial part of the 49ers’ future. I also mentioned how Beathard needed to improve or else it would be a moot point.
Well, Beathard clearly hasn’t performed up to par. To average almost two turnovers a game as a team is a hard task, for a player to do it by himself is something else all together. That, along with his 18 sacks taken, according to NFL.com, make watching Beathard a constant nightmare.
To salvage the season, I might have suggested signing free-agent QB Colin Kaepernick, but since we want to get worse to get better, the 49ers need to start giving backup quarterback Nick Mullens some serious consideration.
Hear me out. Now I know Mullens has never played in a regular-season game and will most likely be much worse than Beathard. Yet the 49ers still need to see if they may have a “diamond in the rough.” A good backup is always important in this league, and a valued backup can be the most powerful trade chip around. We have seen what Beathard can do, and it’s not pretty. Mullens still remains as an unknown.
For all you know, his prospective start against the Oakland Raiders in Week 9 might just the start of regular-season Mullens Magic.
Right on 🎯@NickMullens to @Senseispunk for a 27-yard gain #LACvsSF pic.twitter.com/a6LzXsndDm
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 31, 2018
Verdict: Put Mullens as the starter after the bye, and consider alternating reps in game.