Mobile quarterbacks have always stressed the 49ers’ defense. It feels like, to me, no matter the coordinator or the personnel, they’re always getting gashed by running QBs. That’s why I’m only “very confident” rather than “extremely confident” against the Miami Dolphins. Malik Willis is no Josh Allen, but he can make things happen if you’re not careful. In fact, the Dolphin’s running backs and receivers are actually faster and more athletic than the Rams’ players. Not necessarily better or more skilled,
but they’ll all come in with something to prove.
I’m in “decisive win” territory for how I feel things will go, not necessarily “blow-out”. Let’s see.
49ers vs. Dolphins preview: Trap games don’t exist in September
“Rodriguez is a fun player with instincts that have some pundits comparing him to a certain 49ers linebacker. While Rodriguez racked up 10 tops, he allowed both of his targets to be completed, including one for a touchdown. He’s better in zone when Rodriguez can get his eyes on the quarterback. He’s a great athlete, but McCaffrey on a choice route with a two-way go is an advantage for CMC against anybody, especially a rookie.
Eye candy. Much like in Week 1, messing with the defender’s keys will put the 49ers in advantageous situations. The touchdown Rodriguez allowed was on a play-action, and Jeanty leaked out of the backfield and past Rodriguez for a touchdown.
Johnson was targeted 9 times and held up well. Johnson limited the damage to five receptions for 48 yards. A couple of those came underneath against Michael Mayer. Don’t be surprised if we see George Kittle isolated underneath against one of the rookies, too.
What those stats don’t tell you are the touchdowns Johnson allowed. One came on a simple red-zone slant route from the slot. Hello, Mike Evans. The other was when the Raiders had two running backs in the backfield, a pony set the 49ers used last week with both Kaelon Black and Deebo Samuel, and Jeanty crossed his face on an angle route for a score.”
49ers starter Connor Colby’s first goal? Making left guard feel right (paywall)
“Though he dabbled at left guard at Iowa at the end of the 2022 season, he started on the right side for the vast majority of his college starts. In fact, he’s played right guard since he was a teenager, which made firing out of a right-handed stance second nature.
“It’s kind of akin to going to a place like Australia, where you drive on the other side of the road — everything’s kind of flipped over,” Brendel said. “The mechanics are 100 percent the opposite direction.”
Brendel said some offensive linemen can switch sides at the snap of a finger. “And there are other guys I’ve played with who have played the same side, the same position their entire careers, and they refuse to play anything else,” he said.
Colby sits somewhere between those extremes. He practiced his left-side repetitions at Iowa in the offseason, then took part in a summer competition that included Willis, Robert Jones and Austen Pleasants. His goal was to make left guard feel just as natural as right guard.
He admits he’s not there yet.
“But I think it’s turning in the right direction,” he said. “Right guard, I’ll always feel, is natural. I’m a right-handed guy. But it doesn’t feel as awkward now.”
Five 49ers to watch in home opener vs. Dolphins in Week 2 of 2026 NFL season
“There is little doubt the Dolphins will test the middle of the 49ers’ defense on Sunday. De’Von Achane was the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher with 1,350 yards last season. Odighizuwa must do his part to beat double-team blocks and prevent Miami from tearing off big chunks of yards on the ground.”
49ers rookie RB Kaelon Black, kicker Eddy Piñeiro questionable vs. Dolphins
“Kyle Shanahan told reporters after practice that the 49ers will bring in a kicker Saturday to serve as a temporary replacement in the event Piñeir is unable to play.
“There’s two guys we’re deciding on,” Shanahan said, “but not sure which one.”
49ers vs. Dolphins: The Standard’s 5 fast predictions (paywall)
“Kawakami: 49ers 27, Dolphins 13. This probably won’t look pretty. The 49ers built their schedule knowing they could pay for their Melbourne commitment with some wobbly legs in this one. But a few big plays and a dominant third quarter should be enough to pull away from one of the least talented teams in the league.
Lombardi: 49ers 24, Dolphins 17.I actually think Miami will give the 49ers a sweat, simply because I’m still worn out from the Australia trip and I did spy some tired players in the Levi’s Stadium locker room this week. It’ll be a sluggish game and the Dolphins, coached by former 49ers assistant Jeff Hafley, will put on a scrappy performance reminiscent of the early-Shanahan era.”
Kyle Shanahan shares final updates ahead of 49ers-Dolphins
“I understand what questionable means, but do you have a level of optimism regarding Kaelon Black and his availability?
“A questionable amount of optimism.”
Is it the same groin injury he dealt with earlier in the season?
“I didn’t ask him.”
