The San Francisco 49ers fell to 2-4 after suffering their fourth consecutive loss of the season, a 30-18 defeat at home against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7.
Today, Pro Football Focus released its grades from the game. Which Niners played well, and who has more work to do?
Below are Pro Football Focus' five highest-graded 49ers players on offense against the Colts.
- Charlie Woerner, TE, 91.6, 30 snaps
- Elijah Mitchell, RB, 79.6, 37 snaps
- Laken Tomlinson, LG, 78.1, 56 snaps
- Deebo Samuel, WT, 77.3, 48 snaps
- Mike McGlinchey, RT, 75.4, 56 snaps
Below are the five highest-graded 49ers players on defense.
- Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, 83.4, 62 snaps
- Fred Warner, LB, 81.1, 68 snaps
- Josh Norman, CB, 77.9, 67 snaps
- Samson Ebukam, DE, 76.4, 15 snaps
- Jimmie Ward, SS, 76.1, 68 snaps
Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on offense.
- Jauan Jennings, WR, 37.0, 9 snaps
- Ross Dwelley, TE, 39.2, 27 snaps
- Daniel Brunskill, RG, 42.1, 56 snaps
Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on defense.
- Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, 29.6, 3 snaps
- Marcell Harris, LB, 30.1, 27 snaps
- Zach Kerr, DT, 48.2, 20 snaps
Quick Takeaways
Jimmy Garoppolo, returning from a calf injury, earned the 49ers offense's fourth-lowest overall Pro Football Focus grade (47.1). His uninspiring performance has many wondering if a change at quarterback might be due. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if Garoppolo would remain his starter for Week 8.
"I would guess so," Shanahan responded. "I'm going to watch this tape and see if guys are healthy, first of all, and know where our guys are at."
Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell was among the Niners' top players in the game. He rushed for a career-high 107 yards and scored a rushing touchdown on the opening drive. The majority of his rushing total, 93 yards of it, came in the first half, though. After averaging 6.6 yards per attempt by halftime, the 49ers failed to get their rookie running back involved in the second half.
5 carries, 57 yards and a TD.
All Elijah Mitchell on the opening drive. #FTTB @EliMitch15
📺: #INDvsSF on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2021
📱: https://t.co/0BsFu0O0rZ pic.twitter.com/FEx1NlHRyM
The 49ers linebackers, Azeez Al-Shaair and Fred Warner, earned the top defensive team grades. Warner earned his fourth career fumble recovery while Al-Shaair earned his first. Initially, it looked like Al-Shaair would be credited with an interception of Colts quarterback Carson Wentz. However, the league later ruled that the play was a fumble.
Bosa's pressure forces the red zone INT #FTTB @nbsmallerbear
📺: #INDvsSF on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2021
📱: https://t.co/0BsFu0O0rZ pic.twitter.com/bSkEp5w2eG
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch often credit guard Daniel Brunskill's play as a reason why rookie Aaron Banks has not been able to rise in the depth chart. However, Brunskill has earned his two lowest career grades in the last two games, with his 42.1 overall grade in Week 7 being the lowest. On Sunday, Banks was active for the first time this season but did not play. This season, Brunskill's 60.5 overall grade is a career-low. The offensive lineman has seen his Pro Football Focus grades drop each year since his 73.0 career-high in 2019.
