San Francisco 49ers: 3 players who need a strong performance vs Broncos

Week three of the preseason is widely known as the "dress rehearsal" game since the starters will likely play until halftime. It is also a critical point for those players who are fighting for a role or a roster spot on the team. For the San Francisco 49ers, they have some tough decisions to make. When you compare this time last year to now it is night day with the talent. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manger John Lynch have a bunch of difficult decisions to make ahead of the final 53 man roster. With that said, here are three players who need a strong performance against the Denver Broncos.

Kendrick Bourne

For the second time this preseason wide receiver Kendrick Bourne finds himself in need of a strong performance. However, this time his back is against the wall. Kyle Shanahan gave surprisingly high praise of receiver Jordan Matthews yesterday at his presser. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in Jordan and know we can win with him.” For weeks there has been doubt that Matthews would make the final cut.

#49ers Kyle Shanahan gives strong endorsement to WR Jordan Matthews:
He’s had a hell of a camp. He was very consistent in OTA and training camp. I’ve got a lot of confidence in Jordan and know we can win with him
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 22, 2019

After what Shanahan just said, it paints a clearer picture of how the receiver group will look like. Now it appears that Kendrick Bourne is fighting for that sixth roster spot at the position with Richie James Jr. as his competition. Bourne has not looked good through two preseason games after having a strong training camp. All the work he did during camp is being undone with his lack of production in these games.

This Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs is his last chance to really make a case. I know there is still one more preseason game to go, but by that time the coaching staff pretty much has an idea of who they are cutting. Richie James Jr. could very well make it as he has special teams value. Bourne is in desperate need of a breakthrough game Saturday.

Dre Greenlaw

A young player that has been garnering some attention the last month is linebacker Dre Greenlaw. He made his presence felt week one against the Dallas Cowboys both versus the run and the pass. Despite calming down a bit against the Denver Broncos, there really is a good chance he can start. His competition at the position makes it his job to lose.

Malcolm Smith is coming off of a hamstring injury and at this point in his career he’s just a washed up player. It behooves the 49ers to go in a different direction with Greenlaw. There is also Elijah Lee who is a serviceable player that they could look for in the rotation. Saturday against the Chiefs can be Greenlaw‘s shining moment. It’s not going to be easy going up against that great offense, even if Patrick Mahomes isn’t on the field at the same time as he is.

The Chiefs’ offense is still a complex one that can take advantage of mismatches. Greenlaw needs to replicate his strong performance against the Cowboys for this game. By doing so he will have put his stamp on the position. It’ll only make constructing the depth chart that much hard for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and the coaching staff.

CJ Beathard

As we enter the third week of the preseason, neither backup quarterbacks have staked their claim as the number two guy. Kyle Shanahan still doesn’t see either of the two leading one over the other. However, it feels as if Nick Mullens has a bit of an edge over Beathard. Despite Beathard getting the first look on the field against the Broncos. I’d fully expect Mullens to be the first one out there since it’s been looking like Shanahan is rotating the two.

This Saturday could be huge for Beathard for not just being the backup to Jimmy Garoppolo, but being on the roster. There is a good chance that the 49ers start week one of the regular season with only two quarterbacks. That extra spot would benefit the team elsewhere like the offensive line. Beathard still could make a case in the preseason finale against the Chargers, but it would feel like his fate is sealed if he gets outperformed by Mullens versus the Chiefs.

Jimmie Ward

We should finally see some live action for safety Jimmie Ward against the Chiefs now that he’s fully recovered from his broke collarbone. Now all he needs to recover his starting safety position. As it stands, Tarvarius Moore is holding the reigns and rightfully so. Moore has looked good through these two games and in camp. It’s these very reasons by Robert Saleh isn’t just going to hand Ward his spot back.

He’s going to have to earn it back and it starts with the Chiefs on Saturday. This position battle is one I find the most intriguing. It feels like it could go back and forth, especially if Moore has a slip up game. While it makes more sense to stick Moore out there, if he’s coming up short then they’re going to have roll out Jimmie Ward. This is a no excuses year for the San Francisco 49ers. They need to have the best players out there no matter what.

What bodes well for Moore is that Ward is injury prone. Knowing that could make Robert Saleh hesistant with Ward. He could just use Ward sparingly so that way he doesn’t have a likely chance to get hurt. And that’s why Ward needs to have a strong performance tomorrow. If he plays good enough, then any narrative that follows him won’t matterbecause the risk is worth his talent.

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