On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s mailbag time! What do we make of the 49ers’ running back situation? How do the pieces fit together along the defensive line? Who wins the slot receiver battle? And who are some potential breakout players to watch? All that, plus a lightning round, Space Jam, and our NFL positions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to put a bow on draft season. We highlight a few UDFAs with a legitimate opportunity to crack the 53-man roster, and take a look at where things stand on the 90-man roster with all of the major offseason transactions in the books. Can Matt Breida become the next undrafted running back to find success in the Shanahan system? Which position will be the most intriguing throughout training camp and the preseason? And what does the TE group potentially tell us about what the 49ers want to do on offense? All that, plus cuts at running back, a safety who was in the top 100 players on Mike Mayock’s board, and NaVorro Bowman trade rumors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this post-draft episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we evaluate all 10 selections in the first draft for John Lynch & Co, identifying where each player wins, where they could improve, and where they fit on the 49ers’ roster. Where does first-round pick Solomon Thomas fit in with the incumbent defensive linemen? Which players are primed to make an early impact? And what themes did we pull from San Francisco’s draft as a whole? All that, plus draft-trade values, Paarag’s role, and bad name puns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this final pre-draft episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we put everything together and develop a plan of attack for the 49ers in the 2017 NFL Draft. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this draft class? Is trading down from No. 2 overall a realistic possibility? Who’s the best option if they’re stuck at No. 2? And which positions should they be focused in on throughout the draft? All that, plus smoke screens, Glen Coffee’s return, and Drunk Prospecting Vol. 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we bring on long time friend of the podcast Jordan Plocher to break down the 2017 defensive draft class. Does it make sense for the 49ers to look at Solomon Thomas and Derek Barnett at No. 2 overall? Which cornerbacks fit the profile San Francisco will be looking for in their new defense? And are prospects at non-premium positions like Malik Hooker, Jamal Adams, or Reuben Foster worth considering at the top of the draft? All that, plus positions to avoid, switching gears, and Christian McCaffrey at No. 2 overall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we’re joined by Steve Palazzolo from Pro Football Focus to talk all things 2017 QB draft class. How do you reconcile the sample-size difference between Mitchell Trubisky and Deshaun Watson? Which of them fit better in Kyle Shanahan’s offense? Where do you draw the line between QB positional value and the risk of missing out on an elite talent at another position at the top of the draft? And who are some day-three QBs the 49ers should have their eye on? All that, plus Tramaine Brock’s release, Lynch officially opening trade talks for No. 2, and draft hot takes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Matt Waldman joins us to discuss skill-position players in the 2017 NFL Draft. How does this WR class stack up to recent years? How much of a priority should the TE position be for the 49ers on draft weekend? And where do Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey makes sense from a value perspective? All that, plus catching up on recent news in Ninerland, questions to answer before the draft, and draftsterbation. 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 the 2017 free agency period for the 49ers. How does Jeremy Zuttah improve the offensive line? Is Aldrick Robinson the same player as Marquise Goodwin? Can Matt Barkley be relied on as a backup? And why is it important to consider more than just a player’s talent when analyzing player acquisitions? All that, plus positional scarcity, kicker jokes, and lessons from The Scouting Academy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, free agency has started and hope is in the air! What do Pierre Garçon and Marquise Goodwin bring to a revamped wide receiver corps? What can we expect from Kyle Juszczyk in Kyle Shanahan’s offense? And is Brian Hoyer the quarterback we need or the quarterback we deserve? All that, plus more roster turnover, drunk prospecting, and cedillas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we move on to the passing game in our deep dive on Kyle Shanahan’s offense. How does he use play action to build off the run game? What are his go-to drop-back passing concepts? How does he use complementary pass concepts to attack defenses? All that, plus compensatory picks, free agent signings, and the Kirk Cousins conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals episode, it’s time to take a deep dive into Kyle Shanahan’s run game. How did the outside zone evolve in the NFL? What exactly is zone blocking? And what are the key assignments that make it all work? All that, plus Tom Gamble is out, thoughts on the coaching staff, and how the current offensive line fits in the new scheme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers finally, officially, have a head coach! We start our deep dive into all things Kyle Shanahan by taking a look at some quantitative tendencies shared by his offenses in the past and what those could mean for San Francisco going forward. What personnel groupings does he favor? Tempo going away? How about play action? All that, plus expectations for the Shanahan-Lynch era, coaching staff rumors, and what the hell happened in that Super Bowl? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers finally have a new general manager. We bring Dan Hatman, former NFL scout and director of the Scouting Academy, back on the show to discuss the surprise hiring of John Lynch, the challenges he’ll face, and what he needs to do to succeed in San Francisco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we narrow in on the 49ers’ search for their next head coach. What traits should the 49ers be looking for in a head coach? How do the current crop of candidates stack up? And can we really tell the good ones from the bad? All that, plus some names get crossed off the list, updates on the GM front, and NFL playoff musings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers are pressing the reset button. We speak with former NFL scout and Director of Scouting Development for the Scouting Academy, Dan Hatman, about all things GM. What traits does a GM need to be successful? What are the benefits of different front office structures? How do teams assemble a draft board? And, of course, which candidates stick out among the pool connected to the 49ers’ job? All that, plus impressions from Jed’s third annual Black Monday presser, Chip’s San Francisco obituary, and our picks for the next general manager and head coach of the 49ers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast it’s the unicorn that is a Win Wednesday! We break down how the 49ers managed to overcome a two-score deficit in the final quarter to come away with the victory, what problems plagued the team up to that point, and whether this moral boost was worth losing the No. 1 overall pick. Then, we put a bow on the 2016 season by taking a look back what we got right and wrong in our season preview episode. All that, plus the importance of strong finishes to the season, Jimmy Garoppolo trade compensation, and Rex Ryan as defensive coordinator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we find out what it looks like when the Hulk sneezes in the direction of an infant. Was there anything to take away from the massacre in Atlanta? Were there any rays of sunshine amid the piles of flaming poo? And if you’re insane enough to watch the 49ers play the Rams on Christmas Eve, what should you pay attention to? All that, plus everyone goes to IR, worst situations for QBs to succeed, and our 49ers holiday gift list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to step back and take a look at some big-picture topics in Ninerland. What should you make of the rumors of a front office shakeup? Which current players will be core contributors on the next good 49ers team? Is Vance McDonald really one of those players? All that, plus takeaways from the collapse against the Jets, Jaquiski Tartt in the spotlight, and is there anything the 49ers can do to keep Matt Ryan and the Falcons from putting up 50? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers are in a fight to keep the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft for a second straight week. Should Kaepernick have been benched in Chicago? Was Chip Kelly too conservative? Is this the worst 49ers team in franchise history? All that, plus offseason rumors are here, NFL quick hits, and game-day trades we’d make with the Jets to make this abhorrent game more watchable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers are officially eliminated from playoff contention! Despite yet another loss, Chip Kelly’s squad showed noticeable signs of improvement against the Dolphins. Will they be able to build on those positives to come out of Chicago with a win? All that, plus the Vance McDonald narrative, playoff money, and This Week in Chip Kelly Throwing Shade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we recap a closer-than-expected loss to the Patriots and preview the upcoming game against a team that literally plays in Hard Rock Stadium and is still better than the 49ers. How did the 49ers manage to stick with Tom Brady & Co. for that long? Will DeForest Buckner finally break out against a banged up Dolphins offensive line? And will San Francisco’s defense manage to get Jay Ajayi to the ground even a single time? All that, plus injury updates, NFL quick hits, and how we would “fix” this awful team this offseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, is the 49ers offense actually starting to look… competent? We recap a not-so-terrible loss to the Cardinals before looking ahead to this week’s matchup with the Patriots? Has the 49ers’ passing game really improved? What changed this week with the run defense? And can Jimmie Ward slow down the Edelman/Amendola combo in the slot? All that, plus some Hall of Fame discussion, NFL quick hits, and which 49ers would you let crash your wedding? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we recap yet another 49ers’ home loss and ponder whether anything will be different for Round 2 against the Cardinals. What do we make of Kaepernick’s near-400-yard performance? What’s going on with this second-half collapse thing? And will the 49ers be the catalyst for a Cardinals’ playoff run? All that, plus Arik Armstead gets shelved, #TeamACL takes yet another hit, and some NFL quick hits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we recap a disappointing 49ers’ home loss to the Bucs. Why is the defense incapable of stopping the run? Where did this game turn for the worst? And we put the spotlight on Aaron Lynch and Joshua Garnett after their first few starts of the season. All that, plus trade block rumors, roster building theory, and some NFL quick hits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers are 1–5 and looking like one of the worst teams in football for a second straight season. Why is San Francisco’s run defense so awful? And how did Colin Kaepernick look in his first start in nearly a year? All that, plus three things to watch against the Bucs, Trent Baalke’s future, and Old Cohn providing the lulz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices