DENVER – Did you know more 49ers than just Jimmy Garoppolo played in Monday night’s 24-15 exhibition win over the Denver Broncos? Let’s see who stood out, one way or the dreaded other:
THREE STUDS
1. Running back Raheem Mostert. Showing the burst that produced a memorable touchdown run against the Raiders last season, Mostert tore off a 38-yard catch-and-run followed by a 30-yard touchdown run (with good blocks by Kaden Smith, Sam Young and Kendall Bourne).
“I don’t know where I’m going to fall as far as the running back depth. I just go out there and try to give it my all,” Mostert said.
Mostert was the game’s leading rusher (58 yards, six carries) and receiver (42 yards, two catches). The special-teams ace has yet to play special teams through two exhibitions as the 49ers’ know his capabilities. They want him to develop as a rusher in a comeback from last season’s forearm fracture (two surgeries, two plates, 14 to 16 screws).
#49ers Raheem Mostert made a touching tribute on his TD last night > https://t.co/9NWZUh3ZHK
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 20, 2019
2. Receiver/returner Richie James. He had a nifty 14-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter, but what really will bolster James’ roster bid is his return ability. Kickoff returns of 48 and 32 yards were complemented by sure hands in cleanly fielding four punts. He also showed well in last week’s joint practices against the Broncos. If the 49ers can’t slip him onto the roster, James is becoming a more attractive on the trade market.
3. Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas. His versatility has been more of a curse the past two seasons and kept him from dominating as an inside pass rusher. Well, with injuries keeping top defensive ends out of uniform, Thomas started this game on the edge and fared well. He had four tackles, including one for a 2-yard loss and one in coverage on a tight end’s short reception. Ideally, he’ll play mostly inside but shift outside if needed.
BIG MITCH HIT 🔨@mitchwish does it #ForTheBrand! @NFLAustralia pic.twitter.com/BaIO38TFPO
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 20, 2019
Honorable mention: Punter Mitch Wishnowsky (tremendous tackle), wide receivers Deebo Samuel (blazing speed on a 45-yard run), Kendrick Bourne (great touchdown catch, rallied after missing on a 50-yard bomb), cornerback Dontae Johnson (interception), linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (fourth-quarter blast), defensive end Kentavius Street (1 1/2 sacks).
THREE DUDS
1. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Fretting over a 1-of-6, one-interception debut is understandable, after 11 months of imagining a return to his December 2017 form. His knee is in way better shape than his pass protection was Monday night.
This clumsy start, not long after a five-interception practice, should lower expectations, which is a positive for a 49ers team with a lot to prove. Even more positive: his knee survived three series and he didn’t end up in the trainer’s room like his last road game.
“Honestly, I really wasn’t thinking about (the knee) out there, so I’m happy about that,” Garoppolo said. “In general, it didn’t bother me too much.”
2. Offensive lineman Najee Toran. Drawing two holding penalties is no way to strengthen an iffy roster spot. His first penalty pushed the 49ers back to their 6-yard line at the start of Garoppolo’s third and final series. If he makes the team, he’ll need to be capable of shifting to any interior spot, and his snaps at center aren’t a sure thing yet.
3. Defensive back D.J. Reed. He had a pass-interference penalty on third-and-1, looked lost on a deep completion (that a penalty nullified) and became the targeted guy in the secondary. He responded well, and almost produced a sack as well as an interception, but “almosts” aren’t enough in this league. Reed was on the postgame injury report with a shoulder injury; he missed the offseason program after labrum surgery.
Honorable mention: Left tackle Justin Skule (allowed strip-sack fumble, false start), free safety Adrian Colbert (another early exit, hamstring injury), quarterback Wilton Speight (epic fumble).
