5 stats the 49ers must show improvement in 2019
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Red-Zone Touchdown Efficiency
Perhaps a solid improvement in wide receiver yards in 2019 will directly translate into better red-zone efforts from the 49ers, too.
San Francisco 49ers
They weren’t good at all last year, in case you were unsure.
San Francisco ended up finishing dead last in red-zone touchdown efficiency in 2018, scoring touchdowns on just 41.2 percent of the time. In comparison, the top-ranked Pittsburgh Steelers found end-zone pay dirt 73.5 percent of red-zone drives.
Quite the contrast.
Perhaps this is a prime reason why the Niners signed the 6-foot-5 wide receiver, Jalen Hurd, out of Baylor in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. Hurd, a converted running back, might not get a lot of chances right out of the gate. But by looking solely at his height, which ranks tops among all 49ers pass catchers, it’s not hard to envision him at least serving as a red-zone threat right away.
That said, Kyle Shanahan isn’t one to solely rely on big-body matchups within the red zone. His receivers are intended to operate more off footwork and separation in these confined areas.
But it doesn’t hurt to have a little physicality, too, which is an added trait Deebo Samuel possesses.
Fortunately, given the 49ers are at the bottom of this category, there’s no other direction to go but up.