The 49ers enter Super Bowl LVIII with a loaded roster on both sides of the ball. Kansas City’s roster is also littered with talent while boasting perhaps the best player in the NFL, Patrick Mahomes. While the stars will get plenty of shine and play massive roles in which team hoists the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday, there are a handful of under-the-radar players to keep an eye on for San Francisco.
Big games from their top players will be vital, but the 49ers also need strong outings from this group to secure a win over Kansas City:
CB Ambry Thomas
The Chiefs wide receivers don’t offer any major threats beyond rookie Rashee Rice, but that’s exactly why a player like Thomas is so vital for San Francisco. Limiting options for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is essential, and if the 49ers are letting their receivers get loose, it’s hard to envision them getting any stops. Thomas can’t commit any big penalties, particularly on third-and-long like he did against the Packers. He’ll also need to be an effective tackler when throws his way are complete. Kansas City lives on short throws this year, and limiting yards after the catch will be paramount to stopping their passing game. A good day for Thomas likely means a good day for the 49ers’ entire secondary.
LB Oren Burks
Playing time for Burks has been mostly sparse this year when linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are healthy. He’s the Sam LB in their base package which is only on the field for roughly 30 percent of the snaps each game. When he is in though it’s typically a running situation. He struggled in the first two playoff contests and was consistently out of position against the Lions in the NFC championship game. Slowing down Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco will by no means fall directly on Burks’ shoulders, but he needs to be better Sunday than he’s been throughout the playoffs if the 49ers are going to maximize their chances of not getting smoked on the ground again.
WR Jauan Jennings
It’s easy to forget Jennings in an offense as loaded as San Francisco’s. However, Jennings could be essential in the Super Bowl. For starters he’s a go-to third-down option for QB Brock Purdy. That alone may be vital vs. an excellent Chiefs pass defense. Purdy trusts Jennings and won’t hesitate to let it rip his way when he’s under pressure. The other aspect of this though is that the 49ers may need to use their run game to generate explosive plays. That’s where Jennings’ blocking could be huge. Whether he’s opening a hole at the line of scrimmage or springing a run downfield, Jennings’ ability to move defenders could determine the success of the 49ers’ run game against a stingy Chiefs defense.
OL Jon Feliciano
Interior defensive linemen have cooked the 49ers in each of their last three playoff exits. One of those was Chiefs DL Chris Jones in Super Bowl LIV. His presence and consistent wins up front helped stymie everything San Francisco was trying to do offensively. Feliciano has taken over as the 49ers’ right guard and he should see plenty of action against Jones. Jones is also capable of kicking out wide where he may matchup with 49ers right tackle Colton McKivitz. In those spots Feliciano will have to help out the inexperienced RT. Not to mention his experience and trying to pick up the exotic blitzes Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo figures to have dialed up for the game. A good game for Feliciano would help the 49ers avoid falling victim to yet another dominant interior DL performance in the playoffs.
S Ji'Ayir Brown
Brown’s inexperience pushed the 49ers to sit him out of the team’s divisional round win over the Packers. He started the NFC championship though and figures to be in line for another start in the Super Bowl. The rookie third-round pick is capable of generating turnovers, and his instincts allow him to be around the ball a lot. His aggressive play style can also get him in trouble with missed tackles and bad angles which could turn short gains into explosive plays. Brown has to be sound to be effective in the Super Bowl. A takeaway would be great, but just a solid game from the rookie third-round pick would be a massive help for a 49ers club that’s struggled with explosives in the playoffs.
KR/PR Ray-Ray McCloud
Maybe the 49ers will have something fun drawn up for McCloud on offense, but it’s more likely they lean on their stars in this spot. The return game is where McCloud could be a real difference-maker though. Setting aside the potential pitfalls in the return game, it would be an immense help against a stout Chiefs defense if he can have a strong outing where a couple of long returns swing field position in the 49ers’ favor.
