The San Francisco 49ers' first exhibition game of 2025 is in the books with the Niners winning/losing over/to the visiting Denver Broncos by a score of 30-9.
It's just preseason, and there aren't too many takeaways about the final score, schemes and which players got the most snaps (or not).
But, the preseason opener nevertheless revealed some clear-cut winners and losers for head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad.
One might argue Niners third-string quarterback Carter Bradley, who took over for Mac Jones after the first quarter, should be called out as a loser after going 6-of-14 for 32 yards and an interception. Yet it's important to remember Bradley was only just recently added and has barely any chemistry with his offensive components.
So, he's no loser here. He just needs more reps.
Instead, here are the other San Francisco winners and losers.
Winner: WR Jordan Watkins
It wasn't perfect, but rookie wide receiver Jordan Watkins had an impressive night, especially early when he hauled in a 50-yard catch-and-run pass from Jones that helped set up the 49ers' first touchdown against the bulk of Denver's starting defense:
Big play from Jordan Watkins 😤
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/bMZF3strPi
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2025
That'd be one of two catches from the fourth-round rookie, and he tallied 53 total receiving yards and even hinted at some dynamic use with a 3-yard end-around rush.
Watkins might be needed early because of injury shortages to veterans like Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings.
Loser: LB Nick Martin
It's pretty clear why third-year pro Dee Winters seems to have won the starting linebacker job alongside All-Pro Fred Warner.
Nick Martin, the third-round linebacker out of Oklahoma State, displayed all of his speed Saturday night, which was impressive. But the rookie was also pretty reckless with his angles and pursuit, and the missed tackles are a bit of a problem.
That's two straight mistackles for rookie linebacker Nick Martin.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 10, 2025
Same with giving up the Broncos' final touchdown to tight end Caden Prieskorn.
Most of this can be fixed with coaching, yes. For now, though, it's fair to wonder if the Niners are better off bumping second-year pro Tatum Bethune up the depth chart over Martin.
Winner: CB Upton Stout
Of the San Francisco rookies, it might have been a shock not to see another third-rounder not suit up for Saturday's exhibition tilt, cornerback Upton Stout.
Stout didn't play, which pretty much reveals he's locked up the starting nickel job after putting on show after show during training camp.
Loser: OL Spener Burford
In the wake of losing last year's swing tackle, Jaylon Moore, in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs, the 49ers have attempted to find a replacement and are giving reserve guard Spencer Burford a chance to bump outside and earn that role.
Burford got the start but also gave up multiple pressures in a row, thanks to Broncos defender Nick Bonitto, and the lineman was directly responsible for giving up one of Jones' two sacks taken.
Simply put, Burford did nothing to convince coaches he's worthy of the primary backup to tackles Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz.
Winner: RB Corey Kiner
Patrick Taylor Jr. got the start at running back and even scored the opening touchdown, but undrafted rookie tailback Corey Kiner got the bulk of carries.
Despite some fumbling issues in camp, Kiner protected the ball just fine and also managed to lead all rushers with 10 carries for 45 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt.
The uptick in touches stemmed largely from fellow rookie tailback Jordan James suffering a broken finger just days before Saturday night, and that'll keep him out at least a couple of weeks, meaning Kiner might be something of a preseason bell cow.
Even if the Niners opt not to keep the undrafted pro out of Cincinnati, he at least put up some impressive tape that might convince another team to give him a shot.
Loser: QB Tanner Mordecai
San Francisco's practice squad quarterback from a year ago, Tanner Mordecai, figured to be the primary candidate to secure the QB3 role behind Jones and Brock Purdy, except for a somewhat shocking in-camp waive left him without a job.
At least for a few days.
Mordecai is back, although Bradley's addition and subsequent bulk of action against Denver suggest the former is very much in doubt for a roster spot. Even though Bradley struggled, he at least has the excuse of being a fresh face, and it would have been nice to see Mordecai respond with some sense of urgency.
After a line of 3-of-6 for 21 yards and one interception, the second-year pro didn't exactly do that.
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