What to Watch for against the Denver Broncos (Preseason Week 1)
The 49ers have very clear issues to fix that we hope to see improve early on
It’s football time! That’s right, your San Francisco 49ers take the field today against the Denver Broncos in week one of the preseason. It’s a short-lived excitement, as we’ll soon be awaiting real football. But, for the first time in six months, there will be a 49ers game on your TV. With that said, an enemy is coming to town. There isn’t much to take away from an exhibition match, but what is there to know about the Denver Broncos?
Sean Payton Will Be a Great Test for the New Defense
Odds are we won’t see much of Bo Nix or the starting offense for Denver, however, they have plenty of young players who’ll get playing time. That lines up well for a team that primarily used this past draft to address the defense. While Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger won’t threaten the defensive backs much, this will be a fantastic opportunity for the young d-line.
Payton has a famously multiple run game; he utilized every run concept under the sun and then some. Whereas some offensive minds stick mostly to their bread and butter, Payton challenges defenses with a new run look frequently. This is the perfect first test for a new-look run defense, namely rookies Alfred Collins, CJ West, and Nick Martin, who were brought in to shore up a porous run defense from 2024.
If the starters do get a series, then facing the Broncos' highly ranked offensive line will be a great measurement of how far this defensive line has come. Have they improved drastically overnight, or are they still too green to compete with the league’s best?
Can the Young Receivers Break Through?
The drama has mostly gone away, but the questions haven’t for a young receiving corp. With Ricky Pearsall slow to start and Jauan Jennings now nursing a calf injury, this will be a massive opportunity for the young receivers trying to earn playing time or make the roster.
Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and Isaiah Neyor should all see substantial playing time as the first group up. Neyor has made the most noise in camp, but we’ll see if his size and frame translate to game speed.
The Broncos boast an incredible secondary. While it’s unlikely we'll see 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, this is a very young group that could get extended playing time. Incumbents Ja’Quan McMillian and Riley Moss will be competing for snaps with first-round pick Jahdae Barron. I’d expect to see those guys get at least a few series, providing a significant challenge for the 49ers receivers facing them. If one of them were to break through this group, they could potentially take a lead on the depth chart for the rest of camp.
Special Teams Improvement a Must
The 49ers tragically ranked 31st in special teams DVOA last season. Any hope that the team had through their struggles was promptly put out by their poor third unit. They would fire their special teams coach Brian Schneider following the season, and in his place hire Brant Boyer, who’d followed Robert Saleh from New York. Denver, meanwhile, ranked 4th. This makes for an ideal early challenge to see if the changes have taken, or if it’s still a work in progress.
Then, all eyes will be on kicker Jake Moody, who unceremoniously won the kicking competition against veteran Greg Joseph. While the competition seems close, Kyle Shanahan admitted that keeping two kickers on the roster was not a luxury the team could afford as injuries mounted. Now healthy, was winning this battle the mental boost Moody needed to be the 49ers long-term answer? We’ll get our first look tonight.