Golden Nuggets: Holding the #2 pick

One more week until Kyle Shanahan’s 2nd season in charge comes to an end. The season that seemed to be full of promise in the offseason will end in overall disappointment. They currently sit at 4-11 and will finish their season in L.A. against the Rams. While the season did not go as many thought it would, all is not bad. George Kittle is having a huge season while catching passes from 3 different quarterbacks. He has 1,228 yards receiving and was just named to his 1st Pro Bowl. DeForest Buckner has a career high 12 sacks, continues to show that he is one of the best defensive linemen in the league, and is an alternate for the Pro Bowl. And the most shocking of all is Nick Mullens, who every week shows that he can perform in this league.

The 49ers were helped out on Monday when the Oakland Raiders beat the Denver Broncos. That win helped the 49ers move to #2 overall in the NFL draft. They are currently behind the Arizona Cardinals, who hold the #1 pick. The 49ers have a few different needs to addressed in the draft, but pass rusher is the glaring one. The #2 pick could land a game-changing pass rusher that will drastically improve a 49ers defense that has played much better over the last couple of games. If the 49ers lose to the Rams and the Cardinals beat the Seahawks next weekend, the 49ers would pick #1 overall.

In the last game of the season, Matt Breida and Dante Pettis will unavailable to play. Brieda injured his ankle on Sunday. He has had a great season, even with dealing with injuries throughout the season. Pettis started playing very well in the last few weeks, but injured his MCL in his knee. Both are key pieces of the offense moving forward. They need to rehab and be ready for next season when Jimmy Garoppolo gets back.

49ers links

Still could get the #1 pick | Holding the #2 pick with one week left (Gantt)

The highs and lows of the season (Inman)

The defense is playing well (Biderman)

What a story | Story about one of the Faithful (Chan)

Huge season for the sophomore | Kittle’s season (Maiocco)

The Raiders doing the 49ers one last favor before heading out of the Bay | Raiders’ win gets 49ers the #2 pick (Madson)