In the final preseason game of 2024 for both the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, Friday night's contest ended in a tie, 24-24. The Niners couldn't hold on to their 24-21 lead entering the fourth quarter, albeit a valiant try to break the tie in the waning seconds is commendable.
While many performed well, a few players for San Francisco did not deliver and may have found themselves off the final 53-man roster.
Some of the names on both sides of winners and losers are the same as the previous two game reports from the preseason, as well.
Thrived: Cornerback Darrell Luter, Jr.
The 24-year-old talent, Darrell Luter Jr., showed up for the 49ers. He had five total tackles including three solo ones. Luter also had the only pick by San Francisco's defense. He finished the game with three passes defended, too.
Seeing limited playing time last year (seven games), the second-year defensive prospect could help solidify the Niners secondary. He had two other passes defended this preseason, netting him a total of five.
While their roster already boasts the names of Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir as the starting cornerbacks, adding depth behind Isaac Yiadorm is not a bad idea.
Luter is young enough to help keep San Francisco's pass coverage young, athletic and agile. This should help them break up the big plays, as the 49ers ranked 14th overall in passing yards allowed, a game with almost 215 yards.
Dived: Rest of the 49ers defense
Outside of Luter, the 49ers defense struggled to stop both Raiders quarterbacks from moving the chains and throwing the ball downfield. Between Nathan Peterman and Carter Bradley, Vegas tossed for a combined 272 yards, and each hurler was responsible for a passing touchdown.
San Francisco's defense was only able to get to the quarterback for one sack and four quarterback hits. The 2024 schedule has the 49ers going up against top quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Jordan Love, Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield and Matthew Stafford (twice).
In the first two preseason games, the 49ers only allowed a combined 27 points. In the finale, they gave up 24 points including a critical game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter.
The defense needs to be more cohesive and more efficient in shutting down opposing offenses.
Especially when it carries a lead into both halftime and the fourth quarter.
Thrived: Running back Jordan Mason
With All-Pro Christian McCaffrey being shut down for the preseason, and both the other veteran Elijah Mitchell and rookie Isaac Guerendo not being a factor in the three preseason games, this was the perfect sample size for third-year pro Jordan Mason to shine.
In the first quarter on Friday night, the undrafted running back ran one in for 4 yards. That gave the 49ers a 10-0 lead entering the second quarter.
Mason also had a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. That score was also in the first quarter of play.
It would be shocking to see him be cut from San Francisco's final roster. Mason averaged over 5 yards per rush this preseason, and he would serve as a nice compliment behind McCaffrey and Mitchell, once again.
Dived: Running back Matt Breida
Matt Breida's second tenure with the Niners may have come to a close. With the 49ers spending a second-day draft pick on Guerendo, it's hard to imagine the defending NFC champions keep four or even five runnings backs.
While Guerendo may be offered a practice squad invite during his first year in the NFL, at the very least, the seven-year veteran surely would not get the same honor.
On Friday, Breida had just 5 yards on two carries. One of his rushes resulted in no gain.
While having a good deal of success in the first three years of his career with San Francisco, Breida was not able to recreate that allure in the three-game sample size. He very easily could have played himself off the team this month.
Thrived: San Francisco quarterbacks
All four play-callers saw action on Friday night. Despite Brock Purdy throwing the team's only pick, he completed nine of his twelve throws for 96 yards.
Joshua Dobbs finished with 72 yards and a touchdown while going 8-of-10 down field. Dobbs threw for over 100 yards in two of the three preseason games. Brandon Allen and Tanner Mordecai combined for 119 yards and 9-of-11 throwing as well.
That gave the 49ers offense 287 yards passing, which was slightly better than their opponent's production. Purdy is slated to be the obvious starter.
However, it is nice to see that the newly signed backup, Dobbs, has fit in nicely. Young talents like Allen and Mordecai have shown flashes of greatness this preseason, too.
Dived: Wide receivers Ronnie Bell and Tay Martin
Yet another game for Ronnie Bell where he saw a good number of throws but could not connect on the play, Friday night's finale saw Bell pull in just one reception (14 yards) on four targets.
Bell struggled in the other two preseason games. He only collected four other receptions for 37 yards while being targeted 11 times.
Tay Martin also did not live up to expectations Friday night. Despite having a 10-yard reception, he had a fumble that was lost.
He had a strong showing against the Titans hauling in five receptions for 58 yards. On a roster with Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing and potentially still Brandon Aiyuk, Martin and Bell could find themselves on the outs.
Martin is 26 years old, and Bell is two years younger. Both could be invited to the practice squad, at best.