49ers Preseason Week 2 Recap
The 49ers won their Week 2 preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, with a score of 41 to 17.
Who stood out?
Did anyone increase their chances of making the 53 man roster?
Were there any major takeaways from the second week of preseason games?
Let's discuss.
Again, as we all know, preseason is preseason. But it is still fun to watch, and although we can't know what the coaches are 100% looking for, these games do matter for roster decisions.
Linebackers
Once again, the starters were: Garret Wallow was at MIKE, Jaden Dugger at WILL, and Nick Martin at SAM.
Tatum Bethune later came in at MIKE, and Nick Martin eventually played WILL. But when there were three LBs in the game, Martin was always at SAM. Again, I believe the 49ers want Nick Martin to start at SAM, and are trying to give him as many reps as possible there.
However, I want to see Jaden Dugger at the "SAM" spot.
While it seems I like Nick Martin more than most, he simply is not consistent. Particularly with how he approaches the line of scrimmage. Sometimes it looks so good, his trigger is so strong and he can blow up a run play with his strength. But other times it takes Martin too long to hit the hole, or he doesn't go to the right gap when containing.
I think Dugger contains the run better, even when coming from the second level. Largely because of his reach. He can take on a blocker without being affected, because the blocker can't get into Dugger's chest.
Jaden Dugger - 2 tackles
The fanbase and media continues to fantasize over Dugger's potential, for good reason. But there are reasons he won't see the field. Overall, he has looked good in preseason.
But Dugger is slow against the run and play-action at times. He gets lost at times, straight up not knowing whether the play is a run or a play-action pass.
Monitoring Stock...
Garret Wallow - 4 tackles
Wallow continues to shine, and seemingly has taken the backup MIKE spot from Tatum Bethune. A December 2025 signing, Wallow is known for his special teams play. But in his one start in the Wild Card game, Wallow played very well, earning a spot back for the summer. And he finds the ball defensively, Wallow knows how to get into the backfield. I straight up think he is too good of a player to risk cutting.
Stock up!
S Marques Sigle
Sigle played a couple series, starting once again. And he'll continue to start, especially with Malik Mustapha out. While I do not think Sigle is a perfect player, I do think he's the 49ers best bet at safety, a low bar, I know. He still has great speed, and it's evident that he has bulked up. While Sigle hasn't really gotten to showcase his tackling ability, he does get downhill efficiently, and he tackled very well as a rookie. I trust Sigle's speed, and with his size, I think he can take on tight ends better in 2026.
Stock up!
WR Jacob Cowing
2 receptions, 14 yards. 2 PR, 86 yards, 1 TD
Cowing played his first football game Week 18 of 2024. It was not all great, but nice to see how he looked. He did have a bad drop, and another target where it would have been a tough catch, but it appeared he mistimed his jump.
The positives are so obvious, and why I have liked Cowing so much over the years. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands. An 80 yard punt return TD, he might have locked that job up, being the only natural returner on the roster. He also had a screen reception, where Cowing read the blocks correctly, but had a limited gain due to his blockers getting tangled up. So the YAC potential is there.
And, a big reason for that potential, is Cowing's speed. His speed is so clearly threatening to CBs. I truly believe he can be a good vertical threat, even on the outside. He can win quickly and keep separating. And off of this, you have the ability to separate on stop and out breaking routes, which Cowing already does fairly well.
Cowing should make the roster, in my opinion, as the punt returner, and a guy with upside on the receiver depth chart.
Stock up!
WR Jordan Watkins
3 receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD
Watkins is a subtly good route runner, which makes him a good option to be the first guy up if someone from the starting group goes down. He uses his speed well, working it into his routes to get himself space.
There have been questions about his physicality over the middle, and he did "drop" a deep ball where he was tightly contested against LA. It doesn't seem like a big issue though. The big thing is that punt returns and screens are essentially a no-go for Watkins, it just does not turn in to positive results often.
Monitoring Stock...
Defensive Tackles
As discussed last week, the 49ers will likely keep 5 defensive tackles max. And there are already four (likely) locks, in Osa Odighizuwa, Alfred Collins, C.J. West, and Gracen Halton.
So who's the fifth man?
Bryson Eason - 1 tackle, 1 PBU
Eason moves well for a fella that sits around 6'2, 320lbs. The 2026 UDFA showed a nice combination of subtle quickness and an anchor ability in the run game. Eason can definitely stop the run with these strengths, and he has active hands at the line of scrimmage, even batting down a pass against the Chargers.
But Eason has not shown a lot of pass rush prowess. His pass rush only consists of power from his hand placement. If his hand placement is right, the knockback power is there. But that's all Eason really has, and it didn't show up until the Chargers 3rd stringers came into the game. He was continuously stuffed in his rush attempts by LA 2nd string LG Trevor Penning. There are things to like with Eason, but he is not exactly demanding a roster spot.
Monitoring Stock...
James Thompson Jr - 1 tackle
The most impressive thing about the 6'6, 308lb UDFA defensive tackle is his ability to hold the point of attack on the interior. It's truly a crazy feat, long-arming an interior offensive lineman to nearly control two gaps! While Thompson is about 15lbs less than Eason, he can definitely survive on an NFL interior, even in nose alignments. He doesn't show off an anchor, but still has effective ways to hold his gap.
Thompson moves his feet really well, and his movement-size combo allows him to impress more as a pass rusher. He can get upfield without a bull rush, with an incredibly effective first step and ability to beat the guy in front of him. Something fun about Thompson is how he follows the play, and tries to sniff it out pre-snap. He loves doing this, moving off his rush to chase a screen, although sometimes he ends up following the back or tight end, even when it's not a screen. There are things Thompson can do that will make it difficult to keep him off the roster.
Stock up!
Sebastian Valdez - 1 tackle
A 2025 UDFA, Valdez has been adored within the 49ers building. Listed at 6'3, just 300lbs, Valdez is pure strength, a true bowling ball. He continues to show his ability to twist his way into the backfield, his strength for a 300 pounder is ridiculous. And at 300lbs as a defensive tackle, his movement ability is typically better than the guard in front of him.
Valdez is not perfect, but he seems to have a clear edge over the 2026 UDFAs, at least as a 3 technique on the interior. If they were all thrown into a real NFL game today, I think Valdez would have the best film.
I do wonder how much alignment priority matters to DC Raheem Morris when it comes to his last defensive tackle.
Stock up!
LG Carver Willis
Willis exclusively played LG once again during the preseason, showing that the 49ers are giving him an opportunity to take the starting job. And right now, Willis is in line for it.
Robert Jones, my early favorite, is out with an injury. The 49ers tried to insert OT Austen Pleasants into the competition, but that did not work. And Connor Colby, who has been decent in the preseason, has taken nearly all of his snaps at RG. And Brett Toth, projected backup center who has LG experience, has missed over two weeks with a concussion.
Willis is more than capable in pass protection, a good sign. He also moves well at guard, being able to execute when he needs to combo and climb to the second level.
The issue is that Willis does not always connect on pulling blocks, on account of the fact that he moves standing straight up. Coming in too high is his downfall, but he gets to where he needs to be. Just not executing consistently.
Generally moving well in the run game and being a good pass protector could allow Willis to get the first shot at the LG job.
Monitoring Stock...
Injuries:
CB Renardo Green had a hamstring issue and did not return.
OL Austen Pleasants left with a knee injury and did not return.
LB Nick Martin left with a hamstring issue and did not return.
With all this in mind, here is an updated version of my depth chart, with an additional category. I could add even more, but it may be too colorful and confusing.
I added a practice squad candidate category. Do not perceive this as negative. These players are not currently in a favorable position to make the 53 man roster, but the 49ers would love to keep them around.
Some more details:
Players in yellow(signings made in training camp) I could see being favorable practice squad options:
WRs KhaDarel Hodge, Trenton Irwin
DEs Quinton Bell, Ogbo Okoronkwo
CB Eli Apple
Players not colored that are I believe are closer to making the roster than being on the practice squad:
QB Kurtis Rourke
WRs Christian Kirk, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Watkins
OT Austen Pleasants
IOL Robert Jones, Brett Toth, Connor Colby
DT Sebastian Valdez
LBs Nick Martin, Garrett Wallow, Tatum Bethune
CBs Jack Jones, Nate Hobbs
We are getting closer to the season, and more players are banged up with vague timetables for a return. So here are a few guys with reported injuries who may end up on the short-term IR in order to save a roster spot:
OT Vederian Lowe - ankle sprain suffered on July 26th
WR Christian Kirk - calf strain suffered on July 26th
OL Austen Pleasants - knee injury suffered on August 20th
LB Nick Martin - hamstring injury suffered on August 20th
Let me know who impressed you in the 49ers second preseason game! Who do you want to see more out of? And who are you rooting for to make the roster?
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