The San Francisco 49ers just wrapped their preseason with an 18-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, a win highlighted by kicker Eddy Pineiro’s absolutely perfect performance, including a clutch 51-yard field goal. While Pineiro was money, the real story coming out of Allegiant Stadium is what’s bubbling under the surface for the run game, especially with rookie left guard Carver Willis.
Rookies Fighting for a Spot: Hits, Misses, and Potential
On the offensive side, we saw some interesting stuff from the young guys. Running back Black, for instance, showed off some good blocking and popped a 14-yard run, following up on his decisiveness from last week. Then Jordan James came in during the second quarter. He had a bit of a learning moment on a 3rd & 1, trying to cut against the grain instead of just getting the first down. Oof. But credit where it’s due, James also ripped off a 17-yard run and took a screen pass 20 yards. He isn’t flashy, sure, but he’s that kind of back who just bounces off tackles and falls forward for extra yards, exactly what you want in a backup. He’ll learn to stick his nose in there for those tough short-yardage spots, no doubt.
And let’s not sleep on undrafted rookie tight end Khalil Dinkins. This dude is listed at 6’4″, 226 pounds, maybe about 15 pounds light, but man, he played with a level of intensity blocking in his limited action that makes you think practice squad at least, right? Keep an eye on him.
The O-Line’s ‘Sour Note’ That Could Derail the Run Game
The most intriguing and frankly, concerning, development revolves around rookie left guard Carver Willis getting another start. The 49ers are laser-focused on run blocking, not just pass protection, especially after last season’s per-carry average plummeted to 3.78 yards. That’s a huge drop from the 4.52 yards per carry they’d seen for the first eight seasons under Coach Shanahan, and it’s the first time it fell below 4 yards. That’s a major red flag for a team built on running the ball.
Willis himself admitted his biggest issue right now: “My angles in the run game aren’t very complementary of the guys next to me.” He feels “slightly out of step.” Offensive line coach Chris Foerster, a true expert, sees those false steps like a “sour note during a piano recital.” Willis knows it, too, saying, “There are so many plays where you can see that the four guys next to me , their hips are on a different angle than mine.” He’s working on studying aiming points, angles, and setting his backside shoulder. The good news? He’s got legends like Trent Williams, with 11,334 career snaps, to his left and Jake Brendel, with 4,376 snaps, to his right, giving him real-time coaching. “Those guys have been so great,” Willis said. That veteran presence is vital.
The 49ers are now staring down roster cuts, and these young guys are fighting for their careers. For Willis and the entire offensive line, getting those run blocking angles right isn’t just about a rookie making the squad. It’s about restoring the very foundation of the 49ers’ offense. This needs to get dialed in before the regular season starts, or the entire team could be singing a much different, much sadder tune.
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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