3 Winners & Losers From the San Francisco 49ers Preseason
Ross Johnston highlights his three biggest winners and losers after the conclusion of the San Francisco 49ers preaseason.
Video Transcript
All right, we got three winners and three losers from the San Francisco 49ers preseason, six total players.
Let's dive into it.
Number one, I think it's safe to say there was no bigger winner in the 49ers preseason than rookie wide receiver Dejon Stribling, the second-round pick out of Ole Miss.
Guy's going down the receiver room, more opportunity for him to step up and show what he can do early.
Led the team in receiving against the Chargers, tied with Ked- Kedaro Hodge to lead the team in receiving against the Titans in week one of the preseason, and you could tell he was probably the best player on the field most times he was out there for the San Francisco 49ers.
I believe this dude has very strong Rookie of the Year potential this year in the NFL, and I think we are going to see him be worked in right away in week one against the LA Rams into that 49ers offense.
Number two, talked about him last night, rookie guard Carver Willis out of Washington, fourth-round pick.
Played very solid, got to start all preseason, did a really good job.
Kyle Shanahan mentioned it after the game last night that he had a good chance, or he had done some good things for himself to put himself in position to potentially start.
They haven't made the decision on that yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see Carver Willis start week one.
He had a very good preseason at a spot that, quite frankly, the Niners don't have a lot of play- players at.
My last winners, I'm gonna combine two here.
I know, kind of cheating, but linebacker Tatum Bethune in his third year, rookie linebacker Jaden Dugger as well.
They both were all over the field in the preseason.
Obviously, knew Jaden Dugger was gonna make this team.
Tatum Bethune probably going to as well, though you could debate that, but I think they both made a lot of plays in the preseason.
Stuff to clean up as well, but I really liked what I saw from them, and considering the injury history of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, I think they've put themselves in a good position to get some work on the field this year.
Starting with losers now, my number one, Ricky Pearsall.
And now you ask, "Why?
Why would you put Ricky Pearsall on that?
He didn't even play in preseason."
That is the point.
Ricky Pearsall is going to miss the entire season, undergoing PCL surgery, played 11 games his rookie year, only nine last year.
Availability has been a huge issue for him.
Although he's made good plays on the field, stuff like that starts to stack up, could bring into question his long-term future with the team.
My second-biggest loser, going back to the offensive line, is Robert Jones, a free agent that was brought in on a cheapo deal at the left guard spot.
Had plenty of chances this offseason and preseason to win that spot, has been dealing with some injuries well lately.
I think he has, quite frankly, lost it to Carver Willis and just kind of tanked his stock going into the season.
And my last loser is rookie edge rusher, third-round pick Romello Hight.
He did not play against the Raiders in the preseason finale.
Against the Chargers and Titans, 31 snaps, no pressures.
Had 22 pass rush opportunities.
He did not do very much for himself.
Obviously, we know Mykel Williams and Nick Bos are banged up in that room trying to work back.
Thought he had some opportunity for himself.
Keon White was banged up, too, but had a sack last night, got into some game action.
Thought Romello Hight had a big opportunity in this preseason to show some stuff, and he really didn't.
Not riding-- not ruling him out, his career or anything, but just needed to see more.
