Kendrick Bourne was a target magnet for the Cardinals in Week 1, hauling in all eight of his targets for 75 yards. You heard that right: every single one. While many former 49ers from last year are settling into new roles, Bourne clearly made his presence felt immediately, especially in the passing game.
Bourne’s Big Haul and Jennings’ Grit
Bourne was heavily involved for Arizona, showing up with a target share that was actually higher than Mike Evans’. He grabbed all those eight targets for 75 yards, racked up three impact plays, and totaled 40 air yards with an average depth of target of five yards. He even held onto his one contested catch and kept those chains moving. Seriously, he looked like Jacoby Brissett’s absolute security blanket, always in the right place at the right time. Good for him, man, that’s how you make an impression!
Meanwhile, Jauan Jennings made his Vikings debut with 27 passing snaps and ran 19 routes. He was only targeted once, 30 yards downfield, and didn’t register a catch. But don’t sleep on his impact: he showed off those blocking skills coaches rave about on an Aaron Jones touchdown run. He threw a picture-perfect seal on Packers DE Barryn Sorrell, moving him a gap over. Sometimes the dirty work matters most!
O-Line Wins and Flashing Returns
Over on the Raiders, Spencer Burford is starting at left guard. He allowed four pressures in 31 pass-blocking snaps. That sounds rough on paper, but if you watched the game, the Raiders were running wild against the Dolphins. They hammered out 10 rushes for 65 yards right behind Burford. There was even a clip where he pancaked his defender! Remember, this is essentially only Burford’s second season playing the position, so he’s still learning and making moves.
Then we have Brian Robinson, playing 18 snaps for the Falcons. He’s their kickoff returner, and he started the third quarter with a massive 40-yard return. He had multiple carries early, even gaining seven and 14 yards on individual plays. But he ended the day with 9 carries for just 31 yards. His success rate was 33.3%, and you want that in the 40s. He did bounce off a tackle for his longest 14-yard run after getting hit in the backfield, but three of his runs ended up gaining nothing or losing yardage. He’s got flashes, but consistency needs to be there.
Finally, Jordan Elliott played 20 snaps for Robert Saleh’s Titans, recording two tackles and a run stop. A solid, role-player debut for him.
Week 1 is done, but the story for these former 49ers is just getting started. Bourne clearly established himself as a reliable target for Arizona. Can he keep that up? Jennings showed his value without the ball in his hands, which is crucial for a team. Burford and Robinson both had moments that hint at more. Keep an eye on these guys next week to see if those early trends become a pattern. Every snap counts, especially when you’re trying to prove your worth on a new squad!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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