4 biggest disappointments from SF 49ers training camp
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Disappointment No. 3: Other Drafted Rookies Are Struggling
Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk being on the wrong end of recent news reports is one thing. But the Niners not getting consistent or impressive production out of their remaining class of NFL Draft rookies this season is another.
True, not much should be entirely expected from players drafted in Round 5 or later, especially right away. But each of San Francisco’s subsequent picks after the first round — Colton McKivitz, tight end Charlie Woerner and wide receiver Jauan Jennings — haven’t exactly proven they belong on the 53-man roster.
McKivitz has won some impressive matchups, the one versus Kinlaw being the most noteworthy. But he’s also had trouble going up against bigger and stronger pass-rushers, also having difficulty against more-refined pass-rushing moves. If the 49ers didn’t have questions about their offensive line depth, McKivitz would probably benefit more from placement on the practice squad.
Woerner, meanwhile, was one of college football’s best blockers. But he’s not a quality route runner, which isn’t a big surprise as he never had more than 11 receptions in a single season at Georgia.
As Sports Illustrated’s Jose Sanchez said of Woerner’s route running, watching him run routes is “grotesque.”
Sort of like McKivitz, Jennings is capable of the impressive play here and there, too. But it’s pretty apparent the lack of spring workouts and OTAs hurt Jennings’ ability to physically adapt to Kyle Shanahan’s complex offense.
One could make the argument the lack of pre-training camp workouts has hurt all the SF 49ers’ first-year players in one way or another.