49ers 1st-quarter awards: MVP, least-valuable player, most improved and more

Niner Noise combs through the 49ers' first four weeks of 2024 and hands out relevant team awards to those who are deserving.

From a negative standpoint, the 2-2 San Francisco 49ers are underachieving and haven't been able to deliver desired results despite boasting a Super Bowl-caliber roster. And gut-punching losses in Weeks 2 and 3 to the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams paint a clear picture of the Niners' full array of flaws.

On the positive side, though, San Francisco has largely navigated a swarm of devastating injuries, including being without All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) all season long while missing wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle for a brief period of time, too.

There are a few reasons why those injuries haven't hindered head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad too much.

One such reason, quarterback Brock Purdy is finally breaking the narrative of needing his supporting cast, perhaps even showing exceptional improvement over his Pro Bowl 2023 campaign.

Purdy could be the 49ers' MVP over these first four weeks. But, as Niner Noise hands out first-quarter awards, he's edged out by his favorite target over that timespan.

49ers 1st-quarter MVP: WR Jauan Jennings

The Niners have gotten through their injury woes, thanks to a number of less-known contributors, namely running back Jordan Mason and wide receiver Jauan Jennings.

Jennings, in particular, has picked up the slack in light of the Samuel and Kittle injuries, boasting a 175-yard, three-touchdown game in Week 3 when the other two All-Pros were out of the lineup. In performing that feat, Jennings joined Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens as the only San Francisco players in history to reach such a mark.

But Jennings hasn't been a one-game wonder, and his 364 receiving yards over the first three weeks currently rank fourth among all NFL pass catchers.

Plus, all one has to do is look at the nature and difficulty of some of his catches, and it's easy to see why Jennings has made such a positive impact for the 49ers when so many of their other weapons haven't been able to contribute as expected.

Mason and Purdy both get nods, as does linebacker Fred Warner for Defensive Player of the Year-caliber play.

Jennings is our first-quarter MVP choice, though.

Honorable mentions: Jordan Mason, Brock Purdy, Fred Warner