10 Takeaways from the 49ers' Preseason Loss to the Raiders

Initial thoughts from the first exhibition game of the season dominated by the Raiders. The Niners losses in free agency and lack of early picks over the past few years have caught up with their depth, it’s not at the level of recent years. That’s a problem with a lengthy travel schedule and a lack of rest contributing to higher injury risk this year.

1. The Niner backup offensive linemen are the weakest group on the team.

Four sacks in the first half with plenty of pressures by the Raiders' defensive line. A blown assignment by Jason Poe where Trey Lance narrowly avoided a sack from the unblocked defender, a holding call on Nick Zakelj who did not look good, and Keith Ismael beat on a 4th and 1 sneak.

In pass protection this group didn’t get it done, the Raiders were in the backfield early and often. Lance held the ball too long for two sacks but evaded more than that when defenders were on top of him.

The Niners clearly lack talent on the offensive line, the solution is not within. They need outside help, they need to go shopping on the waiver wire.

2. Trey Lance played worse than his stats.

Trey has to overcome hesitation: see it, throw it. If he holds the ball or brings it back down with a line this bad, it just gets worse. On the Raider broadcast Rich Gannon said Lance didn’t anticipate or see the field well.

The improved mechanics are there, the athleticism is evident in avoiding sacks and he made some nice throws to Chris Conley in coverage. That said, Lance has to show he’s ready to start, and he did not make that case today. He wasn't helped by plays from Kyle Shanahan that kept calling dropbacks.

Before heading to Las Vegas, Shanahan said he values scrimmages over games because he wants to see players in given situations. My guess is his calls were about creating those situations, he wanted to evaluate what Lance would do for those pass plays. He got his answer, two sacks, three and out. It serves what Shanahan wants to know, but that has to be factored in with a porous line.

For Lance, he needs a game recreated, run-pass balance, find a rhythm. That and reps will lead to consistency.

3. Not many plays from the defensive line.

Clelin Ferrell made a nice swim move inside with a strong close and finish for the lone sack of the game. Alex Barrett led the group with three tackles. Other than that, the defensive line was quiet, not much pressure, and they didn’t force the action.

This is another position where a waiver wire acquisition or late free agency signing can help.

4. The wide receivers were a mixed bag.

Chris Conley developed a rapport with Trey Lance, three catches for 47 yards in four targets. Ronnie Bell made some tough catches including an arms-extended 37-yarder on a great throw from Sam Darnold. But Bell also let the ball go through his hands for a near pick-six. Tay Martin had some good plays but didn’t get both feet in on a key third down, and had some penalties for illegal formation.

Conley and Bell are the leaders for the final receiver slots right now.

5. The tight ends had some hidden highlights and costly mistakes.

Cameron Latu lost the ball on a punch-out fumble. Latu, Brayden Willis, and Charlie Woerner had a combined three catches for 19 yards. Troy Fumagalli surprised with two catches including a 22-yarder, but missed a block on 4th down that ended the play. Dwelley had the touchdown carom amid three catches. When all the starters return the backup tight end targets will be few.

What matters then is the blocking. Latu shined on one play where he blocked his initial target inside, then pivoted quickly to block a second man outside, opening a big hole for an eight-yard run by Ty Davis-Price. Latu will be an asset as a blocker, a needed one given the line. Willis had few opportunities but did have some good blocks wide.

6. The linebackers didn’t separate.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball and Jalen Graham led the team in tackles with six. Graham had a personal foul penalty and was beaten a few times in pass coverage, but also had a shoot-the-gap tackle for no gain. McCrary-Ball and Demetrius Flanagan Fowles played well on special teams. Dee Winters had a holding penalty negating a nice punt return by D’Shawn Jamison and had a quiet day otherwise.

One of the rookies should make the roster, for now, Graham has the edge, but both have a lot of room for improvement.

7. The secondary had some positives and surprising negatives.

Ambry Thomas is a gamer, this is the best he's looked in a long time. Pass break up, solid playmaking, and a few missed tackles. Sam Womack flipped the script, he made solid tackles in run support and got beat deep. Isaiah Oliver is the surprise. He was too slow to react and got beat for a score inside the ten. Ji'Ayir Brown made some cleanup tackles but let the plays come to him as a backstop.

8. The punt returner is clear.

D’Shawn Jamison set up his blockers then made smart cuts and accelerated. His work was negated by penalties, but the skills are clearly there. Ronnie Bell can’t make the first defender miss, one return for no gain, another for a couple of yards. Jamison is the best return talent, and that can secure his place on the active roster.

9. Jake Moody, yikes.

One of the reasons Moody was drafted was his repeatable form. He didn’t show that today on a close miss from 40 and a shank from 58 where he looked a little jumpy and rushed. Moody needs to find the calm of his practice kicks in Santa Clara and bring that to the field.

10. The intensity and urgency weren't there.

The whole Las Vegas trip had a feel of walking through the motions. The next games will tell us if this is an energy and focus issue, a talent issue, or some mix. Denver next Saturday and then the Chargers. The intensity and execution need to rise up at home.