The San Francisco 49ers looked like all of the tweets we saw about the Los Angeles Chargers during Tuesday’s joint practice. They dominated in all facets of the game and controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, for the most part.
Best of all, we saw game-changing plays in all three phases, leading to a lopsided victory.
Here are the winners and losers from the 49ers’ second preseason game.
Sam Okuayinonu
He doesn’t have the upside as Mykel Williams nor the pass rush versatility to kick inside, but
Okuayinonu showed why the 49ers will be just fine on early downs against the Chargers.
Last year, Sam O was stretched into a full-time player, which hurt his effectiveness. It’s like taking a key bullpen player — let’s say your seventh inning guy — and asking him to pitch four innings. He was never going to be the same.
But in spurts, Okauyinonu can be effective. He played five run snaps, had two stops, and won on another rep that forced the running back to redirect right into his teammate for a tackle for loss. He also had two pressures on 12 pass rushes, including a quarterback hit. Okuayinonu is an ideal role player.
Kaelon Black
Black’s discipline as a runner is impressive. He has zero interest in bouncing runs to the outside, as tempting as it may be. He stays on a vertical path and will pinball off defenders for a positive gain. Another positive trait about Black — that Brian Robinson Jr. couldn’t stop doing — was his refusal to stop his feet in the backfield. Black was always gaining ground. One cut and go.
Black could’ve been tackled in the backfield on two occasions. He didn’t lose a yard on either, despite the line missing multiple blocks on both plays.
Black forced three missed tackles, had 21 of his 33 yards after contact, and picked up a pair of first downs on eight carries. Equally important, Black was a key part of pass protection. He picked up a blitz on both opportunities. He knew where to go and did not give ground.
Black looked prepared. He was fantastic.
Osa Odighizuwa
My goodness. What an upgrade at the position. Odighizuwa has the kind of activity reminiscent of DeForest Buckner. Raheem Morris will have the defensive line moving in enough directions on run downs for Odighizuwa to fall into multiple plays based on his athleticism alone.
The Chargers couldn’t stay in front of him. On one play, Odighizuwa slanted right, but still got back to the other side of the line of scrimmage to force the runner to redirect. Two plays before that, he came free for a pressure after beating the left guard. Odighizuwa changes directions like a linebacker in a defensive tackle’s body.
Losers
Left guard competition
The three-man competition turned into a four-man competition, but that’s because Robert Jones will probably miss the rest of the preseason with an undisclosed injury.
Carver Willis needs more reps. Those might have to come on the fly with live bullets flying in the regular season. Rookie mistakes, like pulling and failing to look inside for the first threat, were on full display Thursday night. Willis also got bowled over late in the game in pass protection.
The other options aren’t any better. Austen Pleasants, who also has a knee injury, takes two seconds to get out of his stance. He’s too slow to make an impact. That was apparent on multiple occasions.
The final choice is Connor Colby. He’s competent for the most part in pass protection, but whiffs too much in the running game.
If Thursday night’s game is any indication, the starting left guard isn’t on the roster.
Garret Wallow
Wallow had three of the eight missed tackles on defense. He also allowed all five of his completions to be completed for 44 yards, including a long of 18 and an additional 17 after the catch. His role is far from easy, but we’re also seeing why he’s been a lifetime special-teamer.
Football is fluid. Wallow opened the door for some of the linebackers to make the roster.
Winners
Nick Martin
Turnovers are how you earn roles. Martin forced a fumble on a kickoff.
While he missed a tackle himself, Martin made up for it with aggressive run fits and a pair of stops on his way to four tackles. He limited the damage in coverage. I’d argue one of his completions allowed should’ve never happened if Romello Height didn’t rush inside on play-action. Martin took a step forward, which is what you want to see.
Jacob Cowing
Welcome to the roster, Jake.
After the game, Kyle Shanahan smirked when he was asked whether Cowing would be the punt returner and said, “Not yet, but I like that he’s making it easier.”
Cowing’s 83-yard return sealed the deal on the competition. He had another big kickoff return that was negated. Cowing had enough speed to reverse field on two returns and beat the defense to the other side.
There’s still some untapped potential as a wide receiver. His frame means the margin for error isn’t great, but Cowing could help with timing routes, screens, and vertical routes.
Jack Jones
The “boom” side of Jones surfaced on Thursday. He broke up both passes in his direction. He jumped a route on third down. Jones played with a level of confidence you need at the position. Ideally, Renardo Green is OK. But if he’s not, Jones looked like he could slide in without a drop-off.
De’Zhaun Stribling
Stribling played 70% of his snaps in the slot in Week 1. That dropped to 42% in Week 2.
You could tell Stribling didn’t pick up the would-be touchdown pass from Mac Jones until the very last second. It ended up as a drop. He had another play where Stribling hesitated as a blocker, which resulted in a stuff from the defense. I think he could’ve picked up more yards after the catch on the slant he caught from Brock Purdy in hindsight
Aside from that, Stribling had a clean outing. He won at every spot on different routes. Stribling caught both of his contested catches and also ran through a tackle after one catch. He’s as advertised.
Deommodore Lenoir
Lenoir didn’t get credit for any pass breakups, but he was in a perfect position on both of his targets. Lenoir was feisty, even on his non-targets. The quarterback had nowhere to go on either throw. Lenoir also had a run stop.
If this version of Lenoir is the cornerback the Niners are getting in 2026, the defense can flirt with being a top-10 unit.
