49ers Week 1 Preseason Recap

Jack Petrucela

Aug 14

8 min read

The 49ers lost their first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, with a score of 19 to 13.

Who stood out?

Did anyone increase their chances of making the 53 man roster?

Were there any major takeaways from the first preseason game?

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.

WR Jordan Watkins

10 targets, 6 rec, 59 yards

I thought Watkins looked good. He made some catches over the middle of the field and through contact. This is encouraging, considering reporters made it sound as this area was a concern during training camp.

Watkins ran some nice routes and got himself open. It appeared he wasn't totally on the same page as QB Kurtis Rourke, but that's to be expected.

The main concern I had was that, despite his good route running, Watkins would sometimes take too long to get out of his route, spending to much time at the top.

Watkins also saw two screens. He had poor vision on one of them, but the other looked alright. He did not see many YAC opportunities.

Stock up!

WR De'Zhaun Stribling

8 targets, 7 rec, 63 yards

It was really 6 receptions for 68 yards, with a shovel pass coming behind the line of scrimmage going for a loss of 5 yards.

Stribling did not showcase much separation, and he did not see a YAC opportunity outside of the shovel pass.

But, his power showed up, and Stribling demonstrated his strong hands. The body control on display was incredible, showing up on multiple receptions. Seeing that at his size, when he's not exactly fluid, is amazing to witness. The body control showed up leaping in the air, running near the sidelines, and in the area of the 1st down marker. Stribling also would come back to the ball, catching it away from his body, and flattened his routes out near the sidelines on the speed outs he ran.

Stock up!

S Marques Sigle

1 tackle, 1 assist, 27 snaps

One of the few potential starters that played last night. He was not targeted in coverage, as Tennessee did not really push the ball downfield. Sigle played fast coming downhill, and did look bigger than in 2025. A little more pain and pop when he hit.

There was one play with Sigle that stood out, and it was near the goal line before Tennessee's first TD. He read into the backfield well, coming downhill and sneaking in quickly, but didn't finish the play. It would have been an amazing tackle if Sigle did finish, but he couldn't. So the good and not so good there.

Stock ---

LB Nick Martin

3 tackles, 5 assists, 40 snaps

I won't spend too much time here. If you want a deep dive on Martin, check out this Twitter thread I made earlier. Cut-up plays of the good and bad, and more.

His performance was polarizing to the fanbse.

My biggest takeaway is that he started as the "SAM", the third LB next to Wallow and Dugger. In the 2nd half, he was the WILL backer next to Tatum Bethune. But, also in the 2nd half, whenever a 3rd LB would come onto the field, Martin resumed his SAM role. This makes me think the 49ers want him to see as many reps as possible in this role, because it's where he will be playing this season. Not because he's low on the depth chart.

Stock down...

LB Jaden Dugger

2 tackles, 40 snaps

A fanbase favorite, the rookie 5th rounder saw his playing time at the WILL backer, exclusively off the ball. I thought he was okay.

He looked fluid, particularly in coverage. Dugger was not overwhelmed in coverage. He can play the backside run comfortably, even biting on play-action, because his long strides and length help him recover. He'll see the TE slip out and can casually bump him and make the checkdown useless for the QB.

Dugger wasn't overly active in the run game. It definitely wasn't dominance, he looked like a rookie against a starting offensive unit. But, those long arms and 240lb frame still show up. He can take on blockers well, even offensive linemen.

Monitoring stock...

EDGE Romello Height

1 assist, 18 snaps

The first two plays of his career were a penalty and a pass rush snap where he ended up on the ground. To be fair, Height was going against starting NFL tackles, but if he's going to be what the 49ers want him to be, he has 4 weeks to be ready for that competition.

Height showed a couple nice pass rush moves, but had no real pressure. A good spin move demanded a double team, and his defensive line mates took advantage of their one on ones. Height also had a decent rep where he contributed to stopping the run.

Stock down...

Guard Connor Colby

48 snaps, 1 pressure allowed

Colby played his college position for the first time in the pros, starting the 1st half at right guard. I didn't think he was bad, playing mostly against the Tennessee starters, but it was not impressive.

He missed a blitzer and a stunt pickup, leading to pressure on QB Adrian Martinez. Colby looked a bit stronger than his rookie season, but other than that, it was mostly the same stuff. He didn't move guys when getting upfield in the run game, probably because he comes in so high. Colby just is not that effective. There was no jump in the first week of preseason.

Monitoring stock...

Guard Robert Jones

48 snaps, 1 pressure allowed

Jones started at left guard, his first game action since breaking his neck in training camp last July. He also went up against mostly the Titans first team. Jones was not perfect, but I thought he looked similar to his 2024 Miami tape, which is encouraging after missing a year of football due to a neck issue.

He picked up stunts very well against the Tennessee starters, and I thought he moved well for a 320lb man getting upfield in his first action in well over a year.

Stock up!

IOL Carver Willis

37 snaps, 3 pressures allowed

Willis' NFL debut came all at left guard, with mixed success. I thought he looked comfortable on the line of scrimmage. There were some struggles, being susceptible to bull rushes, getting pushed back into the pocket. He plays fairly high up. I can't tell if it's good or bad, it's jus the way his posture appears.

Willis was more than encouraging in the run game. He moved quite well all over the field, showcasing an ability to get 20 yards downfield in the screen game. Willis even moved some (backup) defensive tackles with ease, turning them away.

Stock up!

DT Alfred Collins

19 snaps

A projected starter for the 49ers, Collins had shoulder surgery in the offseason and only returned to practice around 10 days ago. He needed this game, and more, to knock off the rust.

That being said, Collins performed poorly. He maybe had a couple good run reps, if you put some rose colored glasses on. But Collins was getting moved too easily for a 330lb guy who is your starter DT. And the pass rush remains nonexistent.

Again, hopefully this was just knocking the rust off, and Collins gets better with time. Because if he continues to play like this, and does not take a jump from 2025, the 49ers are in trouble.

Stock down.

CB Ephesians Prysock

2 tackles, 1 PBU, 52 snaps

The highs for Prysock were obvious, with a pass breakup on the goal line against 4th overall pick Carnell Tate. Prysock had multiple good coverage reps throughout the game, being targeted 6 times with just 2 catches for 19 yards allowed.

And on one of those catches, Prysock had a good punch attempt after playing off coverage, and made a nice tackle. He's a smooth coverage guy, with elite length. I liked how he moved in his debut, a good backpedal and hips. His trigger when he breaks is not the best, but it's not bad at all. He really relies on his eyes, for better or worse.

Prysock found himself out of position in run defense a couple times, with a pair of lapses there. I am highlighting Prysock because he may have just jumped up the depth chart(see the end of the article).

Stock up!

Those were the players I watched every snap of on film. Here are some others who stood out.

P Corliss Waitman - The 49ers released UDFA Jack Bouwmeester, and Waitman's performance on Thursday gave them no reason to call Bouwmeester back. He was elite, with multiple punts inside the 5 yard line, great hang time, and a 58 yard boom from deep in his own territory.

WRs Malik Turner, KhaDarel Hodge - Two veteran receivers who can play gunner on special teams, they want a roster spot. Hodge still has his speed at 30 years old, and caught a pass for 15 yards. Turner has been around the 49ers for a while, and started at WR, nabbing 2 for 23 yards. There's a good chance where they both play games in 2026, even if it's from the practice squad.

NB Jakob Robinson - A 2025 UDFA, Robinson was placed on IR so the 49ers could keep him around last season. He may not have a clear place on the roster, but he is a feisty slot corner who loves to compete, and is a strong tackler. A football player at heart.

Young DTs - Outside of Alfred Collins, the 49ers defensive tackles performed admirably. 2025 UDFA Sebastian Valdez(24 years old), 2026 4th rounder Gracen Halton(22), UDFA Bryson Eason(24), and UDFA James Thompson Jr(23) all had good performances. It's likely only two of them will make the roster. It will be a good fight, and the 49ers would love all to stick around via practice squad.

Veteran EDGE rushers - Primarily my guy Ogbo Okoronkwo, who had 3 pressures and a sack. But Titus Leo and Quinton Bell, and even Xavier Thomas, all were active in the backfield. The 49ers needed healthy bodies off the edge, and they all stepped up. There's a chance one can make the 53 man roster, likely pending the health of Mykel Williams. If not, the 49ers love a veteran DE on the practice squad they can call up.

Injuries:

CB Jack Jones had a hand issue on the first drive of the game. He did not return.
QB Kurtis Rourke was taken to the hospital after struggling to breath with a rib issue.
S Marques Sigle had an oblique issues and did not return.
And CB Nate Hobbs suffered a groin injury in practice and will miss a few weeks, according to Shanahan.

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.