Opponent Scouting Report: San Francisco 49ers
By Andrew Ites
The 49ers have been terrible for the last two seasons, but a new coaching staff and QB could have them ready for a bounce back.
San Francisco has won seven games combined over the past two seasons, and they’ve fired two head coaches in the process.
Kyle Shanahan comes to San Francisco after an incredibly successful tenure as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator, and he should help ignite an offense that finished 23rd in the league last season according to Football Outsiders.
With a new look front office and coaching staff, the 49ers are looking at a total rebuild this season.
Strengths
There aren’t too many bright spots on a team that went 2-14 last season, but they still have a talented running back in Carlos Hyde who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in 2016 at 4.6 yards per carry.
Hyde has had trouble staying healthy in his career only playing in 34 games over his three-year career, but he’s been a solid performer when he’s on the field.
If Reuben Foster is ready to go this season, San Francisco could have one of the league’s best linebacking corps with Foster and Navarro Bowman.
Weakness
John Lynch had a solid offseason in his first year as general manager, but this roster is still full of holes.
Their offensive line is a mess outside of the center and left tackle positions, their receiving corps is still weak even after signing Pierre Garcon, and their secondary could be a disaster in 2017.
Kyle Shanahan has proven he can make the most of his talent, but even he will have trouble getting a solid amount of production from this unit.
Next: 2017 Positional Preview: Cornerback
The Colts face the 49ers at a tough point in the schedule as they host San Francisco in between important road trips to Seattle and Tennessee.
This 49ers team should be an easy W on most teams’ schedule next season, but Indianapolis will have to stay focused to stifle Kyle Shanahan’s offensive creativity.
In case you missed it, here are our other scouting reports of the Colts’ 2017 opponents: