San Francisco 49ers: Top 10 plays from 2018, Weeks 1 through 10

49ers top play No. 4

Garoppolo and rookie wide receiver Dante Pettis connect for the 49ers’ first touchdown of the season in San Francisco’s fourth top play of 2018.

Shanahan and 49ers general manager John Lynch drafted Pettis in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft hoping the University of Washington product would develop into the Niners’ wideout of the future. But it didn’t take long for Pettis to show that he could be a Week 1 contributor.

Pettis perhaps took advantage of his rookie status, and thus a lack of respect, from All-Pro safety Harrison Smith, who was overly aggressive on the play.

The Vikings showed a zone look as cornerback Mike Hughes followed 49ers running back Alfred Morris when he motioned to the outside. Pettis, who lined up in the slot tight to the formation, ran a dig route, which was Garoppolo’s first read.

Smith properly diagnosed the play, and attempted to jump the route just as Garoppolo was flushed from the pocket. With the play broken, Smith expected Pettis to continue his route toward the line of scrimmage to help his QB, but as we detailed in a 49ers Film Room article this offseason, Pettis — who excels on broken plays — instead broke deep into the area vacated by the aggressive safety.

Garoppolo, who was in perfect sync with Pettis, threw the ball where only his receiver could make the play. After catching the pass and dragging his feet in the back of the end zone as he went to the turf, Pettis recorded his first of what will hopefully be many touchdown receptions from Garoppolo: