Class of rookies making waves for surging team
Trent Taylor’s family wasn’t in the Bay Area for Christmas, so the 49ers’ rookie wide receiver joined rookie tight end George Kittle and his relatives Monday.
The pairing was fitting: Taylor and Kittle celebrated the holiday less than 24 hours after a 44-33 win over the Jaguars that was, in some ways, a celebration of the 49ers’ productive rookie class.
Of course, the focus remained trained on Jimmy Garoppolo, the quarterback in his first season with the team, but Sunday’s victory also included plenty of assists from other newcomers.
Taylor and Kittle supplied the 49ers’ touchdown catches, defensive lineman Solomon Thomas had the lone sack, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon provided a crucial interception, and running back Matt Breida had a gamesealing 30-yard touchdown run.
There was more: The 49ers also started inside linebacker Reuben Foster (five tackles) and free safety Adrian Colbert (six tackles), who have had stellar debut seasons.
The victory featured 421 snaps from rookies, many of whom appear to be finishing with a flourish after being slowed by the “rookie wall.”
“I thought I felt it a little bit earlier in the year,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said of rookie fatigue. “I don’t feel it now. I think we’ve kind of gone through that, and I think those guys are playing as good as they’ve played all year. We’ve been playing with those guys throughout the year.”
Garoppolo is the primary reason for optimism looking ahead to 2018, but the influx of young talent provided by the new regime’s first rookie class belongs on the list.
It’s possible the 10-man draft class netted at least six startingcaliber players (Thomas, Foster, Witherspoon, Taylor, Kittle, Colbert) and quarterback C.J. Beathard figures to occupy a key role as Garoppolo’s backup after his five-start debut.
“The rookies did their thing (Sunday), but that’s out the window because I don’t feel like they’re rookies anymore,” wide receiver Marquise Goodwin said. “… Those guys have carried themselves like professionals all year. They came in, they worked, and that’s why they’re able to make plays on the big stage.”
They’ve also been placed on such a stage because they’ve been given opportunities. The rebuilding 49ers have emphasized youth this season and jettisoned experienced players to give rookies prominent roles.
Before the regular season, for example, they traded tight end Vance McDonald and released wide receiver Jeremy Kerley to clear paths for Kittle and Taylor, respectively. And the fifth-round picks have responded: Kittle ranks second among rookie tight ends in receptions (39) and Taylor ranks third among rookie wide receivers (41).
In 2018, Breida, who wasn’t drafted, could occupy a more prominent role after rushing for 393 yards and 4.2 yards a carry. He has added 20 catches for 148 yards this season. Starter Carlos Hyde is in the final year of his contract, and his 2018 status is unclear. On Tuesday, Shanahan was asked if Breida had starter potential on the heels of an 11-carry, 74-yard performance against the Jaguars.
“I think Matt Breida has the ability,” Shanahan said. “He’s gotten better throughout this year. … I think he’s doing a better job right now of breaking some tackles. And I think he had one of his better games Sunday.”
The rookie class still features some question marks. Thomas (three sacks) has had a relatively quiet season for a No. 3 overall pick, although he also had six tackles Sunday and played a key role in limiting the NFL’s top rushing attack to 92 yards and 3.3 yards a carry. Running back Joe Williams, a fourth-round pick Shanahan viewed as an ideal fit for his zone-running scheme, had an underwhelming summer before he was placed on injured reserve before the regular season.
Still, the returns on the firstyear players are solid. On Sunday, before hosting Taylor for Christmas, Kittle said they all had something to celebrate.
“It’s just really fun to see the rookie class starting to play so well,” Kittle said. “Everyone is having some success: To do it the first year in the NFL is really exciting.”
Injury updates: Shanahan said Foster (shoulder stinger) and Colbert (sprained shoulder) will be limited in practice this week, but are expected to play Sunday against the Rams. Shanahan said Foster’s shoulder issue isn’t connected to the surgery he had for a torn rotator cuff before the draft.