Strategy: The 49ers identify its Weaknesses and Proffers Drastic Measures to Reposition

Brock Purdy is a clear improvement over Jimmy Garoppolo. What’s less clear is how much better the cornerbacks and offensive line have gotten.

For years, the 49ers had three major flaws: cornerback, offensive line, and quarterback. The 49ers have made strides at all three positions.

Brock Purdy is a clear improvement over Jimmy Garoppolo. What’s less clear is how much better the cornerbacks and offensive line have gotten.

The cornerbacks were terrible during the first half of the season. They were thoroughly embarrassed a few weeks back by Joe Burrow and the Bengals. However, the 49ers benched nickelback Isaiah Oliver, whom they signed during the offseason, during the bye week. They finally admitted a major blunder: he’s allowing a passer rating of 105 against an outstanding defense. He is the weakest link.

Now he’s on the bench, Deommodore Lenoir covers the slot and Ambry Thomas is the No. 3 cornerback in the nickel defense. And suddenly the secondary is playing well. Thomas intercepted a pass against the Seahawks and is allowing a passer rating this season of 87, which is respectable. Meanwhile, both Lenoir and Charvarius Ward are allowing passer ratings below 80, which is good. So now there’s no clear weak link to pick on.

The offensive line does not appear to have a weak link. Right guard Spencer Burford used to play there, but Jon Feliciano began there on Thanksgiving and did well. The 49ers would be wise to keep him because their offensive line’s right side has been terrible for years. It collapsed in during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss, then it caved in following the Rams’ NFC Championship loss.

It will not collapse under Feliciano’s weight. The 49ers appear to have addressed every flaw on their roster. Kyle Shanahan now has no excuses if his team loses the Super Bowl. This season, he must finish the deal.

Here comes the big question, Can he?