Position grades, analysis from SF 49ers ugly Week 1 loss vs. Cardinals

It’s tough with one starter out, Ben Garland, and another starting his first game in over a season, but the protection from the 49ers was left wanting.

Most concerning was the run game, the offensive line was incapable of creating large gaps as the game went on and the Arizona defensive line produced four tackles for loss.

Unfortunately the pass protections was scarcely better, with Jimmy Garoppolo being sacked three times and being rushed on several other occasions.

The team looked incapable of controlling the Arizona defense after the first quarter.

There were periods of decent play, and the fourth quarter mostly went in favor of the blockers, but the blocking didn’t stand up for the most part.

The defensive line for the 49ers wasn’t awful by any stretch, but it was a step below the quality we come to expect from the team.

Although in fairness, this unit didn’t fare much better last year versus mobile quarterbacks either.

The defensive line isn’t really to blame for Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray having so much time to run, so the grade isn’t adversely affected because of it. While there were times the Cardinals were in control, there were more times the 49ers defensive line did pressure the mobile quarterback.

Even though Murray still rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown.

The 49ers had four tackles for loss and two sacks with one apiece going to Kerry Hyder and D.J. Jones. For a mobile QB and an offense that runs a bit of option, that’s not too bad to say the least.

Truthfully, the defensive line was the most capable of the positional groups.