NFL
How John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan Have Revamped the 49ers Offense
The San Francisco 49ers hired John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan prior to the 2017 season. The hope was that they could improve a team that went 2-14 in 2016 under Chip Kelly. Many fans and analysts considered the 49ers roster to be near the bottom of the league in talent, so few predicted a quick turnaround.
Trent Baalke, the general manager of the 49ers from 2011 to early 2017, had allowed the roster to decline steeply after a 2013 Super Bowl appearance. He drafted bust after bust, developed a reputation for reaching on injured players, and failed to sign productive free agents.
Due to ongoing offensive struggles, the 49ers felt that they needed to make a major change. Their target for the head coach position was Kyle Shanahan, a young offensive coordinator who led the Atlanta Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance. In that 2016 season, the Falcons averaged a whopping 33.8 points per game, and their innovative play-calling made Shanahan a hot candidate for head coaching jobs across the league.
After successfully landing Shanahan, the goal became to pair him with a general manager that he was comfortable with. The answer was former Broncos and Buccaneers safety, John Lynch. His hiring surprised many, as he had no experience in the front office of a team. The 49ers hoped that his rapport with Shanahan and experience as a player and broadcaster would be enough to succeed.
Offensive Personnel Breakdown
Through one year with Shanahan and Lynch at the helm of the team, the roster has taken a major leap. Position groups that once looked like weaknesses have become strengths. The 49ers finished the 2017 season with a mediocre 6-10 record, but that does not fully indicate the progress they have made.
Many in the media are high on the 49ers after a 5-0 win streak to end the season, and there are even some predicting a playoff appearance in 2018. This article will break down how each 49ers position group has improved under the care of Lynch and Shanahan.
Quarterbacks
2016
In 2016 the both Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert played quarterback for the 49ers. Gabbert started the season while Kaepernick recovered from surgery, but he was benched after struggling mightily. Kaepernick was an improvement, but he still took far too many sacks and was unable to effectively move the ball.
The team’s offense suffered, finishing the season ranked 27th in the NFL in scoring. While the quarterback position is not entirely to blame for this ranking, a better field general would have helped. As of the writing of this article, Kaepernick is controversially unemployed, and Gabbert is a backup for the Tennessee Titans.
2018
Entering the 2018 season, the 49ers quarterback situation seems quite a bit more settled. The team acquired former Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo at the trade deadline last season, and the early returns were phenomenal. The young signal caller won every game he started and demonstrated poise and leadership in the process.
John Lynch rewarded him with a five-year $137.5 million contract after the season concluded, then the league high. This ringing monetary endorsement suggests that Garoppolo is the future of the franchise at the quarterback position. 2017 third-round pick C.J. Beathard should competently hold down the backup job, further settling the group.
Running Backs
2016
The starting tailback for the 49ers in 2016 was Carlos Hyde, backed up by Shaun Draughn and DuJuan Harris. Hyde is a very talented back, adept at punishing defenders with his downhill running style. Unfortunately, that style also takes a toll on his own body. He has missed a total of 14 games with injury over his first four seasons in the league.
This lack of durability requires that a team has quality depth behind Hyde, and in 2016 that was not the case. While Hyde averaged an impressive 4.6 yards per carry, Harris, and Draughn combined for a dismal 3 yards per handoff they took. Hyde is now part of a committee of talented Cleveland Browns running backs. Harris and Draughn are no longer in the NFL.
2018
The backfield for 2018 still lacks proven talent, but it has plenty of upside. Kyle Shanahan likes backs with game-breaking speed and the ability to make a quick cut. Halfbacks Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert, and Joe Williams clearly fit the bill. All have amazing speed, with McKinnon and Williams tying for the slowest 40 yard dash time of the group at a blazing 4.41 seconds.
McKinnon, the projected starter, also possess great skill as a receiver out of the backfield. This is another skill Shanahan covets, as it allows him to use his backs as moveable chess pieces in the passing game.
Another useful pass catcher from the running back position is fullback Kyle Juszczyk. He made his second straight Pro-Bowl last year and could benefit from more time with Jimmy Garoppolo. Juszczyk is also a solid blocker who could make life easier for McKinnon and the other tailbacks next season.
Receivers and Tight Ends
2016
The receiving corps was one of the weakest areas of the 2016 49ers. Quinton Patton, Torrey Smith, and Jeremy Kerley got the most snaps at receiver, while Vance McDonald was the starting tight end. Smith was a deep threat who was overpaid and miscast as a #1 receiver. Patton and McDonald were a 4th and a 2nd round pick by Trent Baalke. Neither panned out. Patton lacked a skill that set him apart from the pack, and McDonald couldn’t seem to catch the ball.
Kerley was a journeyman who the 49ers acquired just before the season in a trade with the Lions. He was the most productive of the bunch in 2016, though he missed the entire offseason program. In the coming season Smith, Kerley, and McDonald are expected to contribute for the Panthers, Bills, and Steelers respectively. Patton is currently a free agent.
2018
Shanahan and Lynch have completely revamped the team’s pass catchers to fit the new offensive style. One of their first acquisitions was wide receiver Pierre Garçon, a tough veteran. He has great hands and is adept at catching balls over the middle of the field. They also signed deep-threat Marquise Goodwin. One of the fastest receivers in the league, he stretches defenses and creates space for other players.
The 49ers added three more expected contributors to the group in the 2017 and 2018 NFL drafts. Trent Taylor, a 2017 5th round pick, is a reliable chain-moving slot receiver with good hands and surprising toughness for his small stature. George Kittle, another 2017 5th rounder, is an athletic tight end with blocking and receiving skills.
Dante Pettis, a 2018 2nd round pick, has yet to play a snap in an NFL game. He projects as a versatile player who will be able to separate from defenders with quickness, speed, and route running.
There is only one holdover from the Kelly era who the 49ers expect to make key contributions to the receiving group. Veteran tight end Garrett Celek developed a rapport with Jimmy Garoppolo last season and led the team in receiving touchdowns.
Offensive Line
2016
Many considered the 49ers line under Chip Kelly to be a weakness, particularly on the interior. The tackles, Joe Staley and Trent Brown, were very good pass blockers. Unfortunately, while Staley excelled in the run game, Brown had difficulties related to his huge size.
The rotation of guards consisted of journeymen Zane Beadles and Andrew Tiller, and first-round rookie Josh Garnett. All three players struggled, particularly in the passing game. Center wasn’t much better. Veteran Daniel Kilgore was passable, but when he missed games with injury his replacement was not. Marcus Martin, the backup center, was regularly pushed around by opposing defensive linemen.
2018
Lynch and Shanahan made major changes to the composition of the line over their first two off-seasons. Joe Staley remains as the elder statesman of the group, but the other four positions will likely have new starters.
Left guard Laken Tomlinson was acquired in a trade with the Detroit Lions. The 49ers recently demonstrated their faith in his continued improvement with a contract extension. Center Weston Richburg was acquired as a free agent, and analysts have praised the move because of his expected fit in Shanahan’s scheme. He has dealt with recent injuries, but he has an elite season with the New York Giants on his resume.
The right guard spot is likely the weakness, and a three-man competition between Josh Garnett and veterans additions Mike Person and Jonathan Cooper will decide who starts there. The right tackle spot will be manned by rookie first-rounder Mike McGlinchey, a consistent performer at Notre Dame who is expected to fit well in the scheme.
Overall Improvements
As the breakdown demonstrates, the 49ers have made major overhauls and improvements at every offensive position. Not only did the total is the overall talent level better, but the personnel also fits the scheme.
Kyle Shanahan is meticulous in figuring out exactly what kind of players he is looking for, and John Lynch will get him who he needs. With the front office on the same page as the coaching staff and the talent coming together, look for the 49ers to make major improvements on the offensive end.
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Look for part 2 of this article, a breakdown of the defense, next week.
This article was originally written by former TSJ101SPORTS writer
