On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, REAL FOOTBALL IS HERE. Jerod Brown, fellow Scouting Academy alum and writer for Bleacher Report’s NFL 1000, joins to discuss the final 53 man roster (9:01) and preview the week one tilt vs the Vikings (16:13). Why is the Vikings D effectively a mirror image of Shanahan's offense? What will the Vikings offense look like under new OC John DeFilippo? And is Kirk Cousins tailor-made for this offense? All that, plus a farewell toast to Jerick McKinnnon (3:36).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Chris Biderman joins to recap the weeks news (2:15), including the surprising(?) Eli Harold trade. Eric Crocker, a former NFL and AFL defensive back, joins to discuss the 3rd preseason game against the Colts (8:07). Did Josh Garnett do enough to win the starting role? Why is Cole Wick beating Cole Hikutini for the 3rd tight end role? And a look at Mike McGlinchey’s rough run-blocking day. All that, plus a few roster predictions leading up to final cut day (39:06). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Chris Biderman joins Oscar to discuss Bill Barnwell’s attempt at a Jimmy Garoppolo article. Chris also helps break down the best, and worst, players from the 49ers second preseason game. And Blake Murphy from Revenge of the Birds joins to preview the Cardinals 2018 season. All that plus the beauty of analogies, the best burger in Tempe, and a potential Better Rivals curse.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, (preseason) football is back! Jeff Deeney from Pro Football Focus joins to discuss which players helped themselves, and which hurt themselves, in the first preseason game (:56). Then Joe McAtee, editor of Turf Show Times, joins the show to answer the key questions that will define the Rams 2018 season (21:38). All that plus a Harry Potter-themed roster quiz, and a Phillips over McVay TAEK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Brandan Shulze from the SeaHawkers Podcast joins the show to preview the Seahawk’s 2018 season (11:03). Will the Seattle defense be able to sustain a high level of play despite a talent drain? How bad will Brian Schottenheimer’s offense really be? Will the offensive line improve? All that plus a training camp review from PFF’s Jeff Deeny (:36) and a Seattle-specific speed round (53:04). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, football is right around the corner and it’s season preview time! Will Jimmy Garoppolo be able to sustain his excellent play over a full season? (9:19) Does the pass coverage take a significant step forward? (19:47) Will the 49ers be able to generate more edge pressure this season? (27:56) All that, plus record predictions, superlatives, and a fond farewell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we put a bow on Smart Football Month by taking a look at Robert Saleh’s pressure packages and their effectiveness. How often did the 49ers stunt or blitz last season relative to league average? (18:11) Were they actually effective when they did? (30:47) And how should we expect that to change in the coming season? (44:18) All that, plus takeaways from the Football Outsiders Almanac, Jimmy GQ feature week, and real football is right around the corner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, George Chahrouri of Pro Football Focus joins us in an analytics-slanted episode of Smart Football Month. What are expected points and how can they help evaluate decision making? (10:21) What is clustering and how can it help us group quarterbacks more constructively? (42:14) And most importantly, what does the data tell us about the 49ers in the coming season? (53:59) All that, plus a lightning round from the dark web, Witherspoon gets invited to DBU, and Jimmy dates a porn star. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 that, plus Reuben Foster is suspended, the five most important players for 2018, and cat murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 successful? (34:38) All that, plus Laken Tomlinson gets an extension, Jalen Ramsey’s recent comments, and Germany should’ve had sex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 of tackles and centers in Shanahan’s offense (37:49), breakout players (50:00), and more as we open up the mailbag to answer your questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 are basically the hopeless romantics of the NFL, and any lingering concern with the absence of an edge draftee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

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 position groups (34:31), and WE FINALLY HAVE MERCH. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 of the field? (48:31) All that, plus a linebacker to keep an eye on late in the draft, getting capital ‘F’ Fysical, and seriously, these names are really hard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 top-end athletes at the tight end position? (50:04). All that, plus what we’re looking for in later-round prospects, the abundance of big wideouts in this draft class, and the general lack of intriguing prospects in this TE class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Francisco’s defense? (26:26) And which edge rusher should be at the top of the 49ers’ wish list come draft day? (46:09) All that, plus math jokes, why offense is unlikely to be a consideration at No. 9 overall, and our rankings for San Francisco’s first-round options. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Edmunds worth a top-10 selection? (42:12) All that, plus should the 49ers trade for OBJ (2:00), the latest on Reuben Foster, and it’s officially #BESTSHAPEOFHISLIFESZN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 thoughts on the 49ers’ latest free agent additions (5:42), and bachelor party shenanigans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 a pass-catching RB, and whether Lynchahan has a blind spot for players at non-premium positions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 combine (30:26), and which 49ers player we’d give the strength of the Black Panther (41:11). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 bargain option? (39:11) All that, plus John Lynch throws shade at Ken Norton (0:48), several potential offseason targets go off the market (1:39), and our preferred free agency plan of attack (48:37). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 drunk uncle (0:34), Vontae Davis visits (1:02), and we determine whether we’re in or out on re-signing Aaron Lynch or Tank Carradine (43:34). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 the bargain bin? (48:35) All that, plus Jimmy GQ gets paid (1:51), Reuben Foster’s long-term viability (4:54), and Daniel Kilgore gets an extension (7:09). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices