The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Smart Football Month rolls on as Zac Robinson from Pro Football Focus joins us to discuss all things quarterback. Just how tough is it for a quarterback to pick up the West Coast system? (11:41) What does Jimmy Garoppolo need to do to improve in year two? (21:24) And what should you be looking for when trying to evaluate quarterback play? All th...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we kick off Smart Football Month by diving deep into Kyle Shanahan’s passing attack out of run personnel. Were the 49ers actually successful throwing out of run personnel last season? (3:06) How does Shanahan set his players up for success in these situations? (25:28) And what made the Jaguars game the finest example of how this strategy can be...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we have officially ended our holdout and reported to (dis)organized podcasting activities. Will Jimmy Garoppolo ever complete another deep ball? (9:38) How will things shake out with the linebacker corps? (22:04) And how will the 49ers overcome the lack of quality edge rushers to get after the quarterback? (28:20) All that, plus the importance o...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we wrap up our coverage of the 2018 NFL draft. Was Kentavius Street worth the risk in the fourth round? (:53) How will D.J. Reed fit in with the current secondary? (16:59) And which late-round player has the best chance of finding the field early? (37:25) All that, plus the importance of athleticism for the current 49ers regime, why the 49ers ar...

Ep. 236: “It’s a pick that shows how the team views pass coverage.” by Niners Nation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we offer up initial impressions on the 49ers’ first-round pick Mike McGlinchey. Why would the 49ers look at tackle early in the draft? What did they pass up by making the selection? And, most importantly, was it worth it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to wrap up our pre-draft coverage with some final thoughts. What does our draft board look like if the 49ers stay at No. 9 overall? (4:53) What would make us rage quit the draft? (15:46) And which positions should John Lynch & Co. be focused on in the middle rounds? (30:10) All that, plus trade talk (17:59), what to do with weak positi...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we try and fail at pronouncing the names of defenders who could be an option for the 49ers on day two or later. Are there any intriguing players in this edge class after the first round? (2:56) Which outside cornerbacks fit the profile the 49ers are looking for? (30:23) And which players could upgrade San Francisco’s poor coverage in the middle...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we take a look at day-two-or-later draft prospects who’ve caught our eye on offense. Will the 49ers really be looking at big, contested-catch wide receivers or does Kyle Shanahan have a different type? (8:53) In a deep draft class, which running backs stand out as fits in the 49ers offense? (32:30) And which player would give the 49ers a pair of...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, premium-position players who could be available for the 49ers at No. 9 overall enter the spotlight. Does it make sense for the 49ers to target interior coverage defenders like Minkah Fitzpatrick or Derwin James given the current makeup of the roster? (6:54) Do either of the top cornerbacks in this draft class project as a scheme fit in San Franc...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, our draft preview series continues by looking at three non-premium position players who could be options for the 49ers with the No. 9 overall pick. Is there anything wrong with Quenton Nelson’s game? (10:37) Does Roquan Smith excel in the passing game enough to add more value than your typical linebacker? (25:18) And is the upside of Tremaine Ed...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to turn our attention to the NFL draft. What will we be looking for when evaluating draft prospects? (14:16) Why is positional value so important when talking about the draft? (30:08) And what are the strengths and weaknesses of the 2018 class? (46:05) All that, plus John Lynch confirms the worst-kept secret in football (2:07), quick t...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s a free agency frenzy! Should we expect Richard Sherman to be the same player he was in Seattle? (6:20) Why did the 49ers choose to add a center in free agency rather than a guard? (20:54) And is Jerick McKinnon really worth paying as a top-five running back? (37:30) All that, plus why the 49ers hate everyone you wanted to sign, the value of...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we answer all of your free agency questions. How should Vinny Curry figure into the 49ers’ free agency plans if he becomes available? (5:58) Which positions of need are the most valuable? (22:51) And what does the dream free agency period look like? (50:55) All that, plus which pending 49ers free agent gets signed first (21:00), the value of the...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we wrap up our free agency preview with an in-depth look at the top guards in this year’s class. Should the 49ers be worried about spending top money on Andrew Norwell or Josh Sitton? (8:09) If the top players prove too rich, which players could John Lynch & Co. target at the mid-level? (33:40) And is Brandon Fusco worth bringing back as a barga...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s not a good year to be looking for edge rushers in free agency. Will anyone even be available at the top of the market? (11:06) Is Junior Galette’s ability on the field enough to offset his red flags off it? (20:53) And which veteran player could provide the 49ers with a reliable rotational piece? (34:54) All that, plus Mel Kiper is your dru...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, our free-agent positional previews move on to pass catchers. If the 49ers splurge at the top of the market, does Allen Robinson or Sammy Watkins make more sense? (19:54) Which running back could bring a pass-catching element the 49ers lack out of the backfield below top dollar? (37:22) And which players provide the upside worth considering in th...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we kick off our free-agent positional previews by focusing on one of football’s most important positions: cornerback. If the 49ers opt to spend big, is Malcolm Butler or Trumaine Johnson the better option? (16:03) If they aren’t in love with the big-name options, are there any good transitional options? (40:10) And is it worth dipping into the b...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we wrap up our three-part roster evaluation and turn our eyes to the offseason. Which two defenders are core players that the 49ers will build around for years to come? (11:09) Which aspects of Jimmy Garoppolo’s performance stood out most this season and what do they tell us about what’s to come? (27:06) And what did this roster exercise tell us...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, our deep-dive evaluation of the 49ers roster continues. Are there any transitional players set to hit free agency who should be brought back for another season? (15:58) How is the 2017 draft class looking after one season? (34:56) And Solomon Thomas is a foundational player, but at what position? (42:59) All that, plus clarifying some questions...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we kick off our month-long deep dive into the state of the 49ers roster. What type of model do we think is best to evaluate the roster? (2:16) Which criteria are important to consider in that model? (5:16) And, of course, where do the 49ers’ players fit in that model? (29:28) All that, plus the coming EDGE makeover (34:15), Dontae Johnson’s oppo...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to start looking back on the season that was. How do the storylines from before the season compare to today? (27:16) Who took home our end-of-season awards? (37:38) And how did our preseason predictions fare (spoiler: it wasn’t great)? (57:33) All that, plus what we learned from a Week 17 win over backups (1:57), two players land on th...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, WE ARE NEVER GOING TO LOSE A GAME AGAIN! How did Kyle Shanahan and Jimmy Garoppolo attack the NFL’s best defense to pull off a Christmas miracle? (0:54) Why weren’t the Jaguars able to find the same success against the same defensive scheme? (28:08) And which rookie shines in this week’s spotlight? (39:32) All that, plus a Better Rivals draft cr...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals, Gucci Garop propels the 49ers to three straight wins for the first time since 2014! What staple Patriots concept did Garoppolo and the 49ers use to kickstart the game-winning drive? (1:52) How did the Titans manage to bother Garoppolo in the pocket so frequently? (11:01) And which matchups were key in the 49ers doing just enough defensively to come away...

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we’re going streaking! How has Jimmy Garoppolo managed to lift a 49ers offense that still has many flaws? (2:22) What did the Texans do defensively that played into Garoppolo’s hands? (8:42) And did Robert Saleh fail to give Dontae Johnson proper help on DeAndre Hopkins? (20:05) All that, plus Marquise Goodwin in the spotlight (36:19), Reuben Fo...