Knowing Kyle Shanahan a bit from my days in Cleveland, I can assure you he’s logging 15 hour days right now at the team facility in Santa Clara.
Shanahan told beat writers on Thursday he’ll be holed up at the Marriott this week while his wife finds the family a new home in the Bay Area. Nearly every waking thought this first week in charge for the head coach is on evaluating players — both on the roster and using opinions on old players he’s coached to start stacking the free agent board.
Here’s an overview of players who Shanahan has coached and whether or not they’ll fit in San Francisco. Free agency begins in less than a month — March 9th.
QB Brian Hoyer
Age: 31
2016 stats (6 games): 6 TD, 0 INT, 1,445 yards, 67.0 completion percentage,
Like many players, Hoyer’s best season in the NFL came with Shanahan calling plays. The 2014 Cleveland Browns got off to a 7-4 start and Hoyer’s command of Shanahan’s offense was a major reason for that. When Jay Cutler hit the bench last in Chicago, Hoyer also rose to the occasion before breaking his arm. Hoyer’s accuracy can be inconsistent, but he was terrific at throwing the deep ball under Shanahan.
Does he fit: As a backup mentoring a rookie, this might be the ideal situation for every party involved. For what Shanahan demands of his quarterbacks, Hoyer is better fit as a backup than Colin Kaepernick, and can bridge the gap for half the season if a rookie isn’t ready.
QB Matt Schaub
Age: 35
2016 stats (4 games): 0 TD, 0 INT, 3 passes attempted
Shanahan feels an affinity toward Schaub because the he’s the first player the coach landed on the map. Schaub’s 4,770 passing yards in 2009 legitimized Shanahan as a play caller. But in 2017, Schaub is on the last breath of his career. No other team in the NFL would remotely consider playing him next season.
Does he fit: As a third-string mentor in the classroom, absolutely. But if 49ers fans are forced to watch Schaub struggle instead of a rookie, they’ll not be happy campers. Shanahan and John Lynch have put no timelines on success in San Francisco. It would be smarter to let a younger quarterback take the lumps in year one than wasting a year trying to properly implement the offense with Schaub under center.
QB Kirk Cousins (likely franchised)
Age: 28
2016 stats: 25 TD, 12 INT, 4,917 yards, 67.0 completion percentage, 97.2 QB rating
Quickly on this hot topic: If Shanahan feels like he can turn Cousins into Matt Ryan, the 49ers will look into every avenue of acquiring him. If Shanahan doesn’t think Cousins is good enough to one day lead this team to the Super Bowl, he could still be in play for the 2018 offseason. The Redskins would be fools not to franchise tag him.
Does he fit: Not at the price of the No. 2 overall pick. But if he hits the open market, and none of the rookie quarterbacks intrigue Shanahan, the 49ers might not have a choice.
RB Chris Thompson
Age: 26
2016 stats: 68 carries, 349 yards, 5.2 YPC, 5 total touchdowns
Of all the free agents on this list, Thompson makes the most sense for the 49ers to bring in. A jitterbug scat-back who caught 49 passes out of the backfield last season as a dynamic option in the Redskins’ offense, Thompson is hitting the pinnacle of his career. Shanahan and his dad originally drafted the 26-year-old in 2013, but a knee injury and Alfred Morris’ dominance delayed his development. The 49ers have the cap room to outbid Washington GM Scot McCloughan.
Does he fit: Yes. Shanahan has proven he can work wonders using a two-back system, where Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman both coexisted to punish defenses in Atlanta. Carlos Hyde will have to share his portion of the pie, but the upside of what Thompson could bring to this offense is real.
RB Terrance West
Age: 26
2016 stats: 193 carries, 774 yards, 4.0 YPC, 6 total touchdowns
Character concerns saw the Browns trade him to the Titans just one season into his rookie contract. Tennessee also moved on from him, but to West’s credit, he crafted a role with his hometown Ravens. A shifty yet powerful runner, Shanahan coerced a handful of strong games from West, but also duds when star center Alex Mack broke his leg in 2014.
Does he fit: It appears the Ravens really want West back. He is much more of a runner who commands carries to get going instead of a change-of-pace backup. Don’t expect this move.
RB Isaiah Crowell
Age: 24
2016 stats: 198 carries, 952 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, 7 total touchdowns
Originally an undrafted gem Shanahan helped locate in Cleveland, Crowell has had a very consistent start to his career considering all the turmoil with the Browns. He tied Jim Brown’s franchise record for touchdowns scored by a rookie with eight under Shanahan in 2014.
Does he fit: Other teams may be chasing Crowell as a starting running back, which could price the 49ers out for the role they have available for him.
WR Pierre Garcon
Age: 30
2016 Stats: 79 catches, 1,041 yards, 3 TD, 13.2 YPC
The lengthier the debate becomes in Washington over keeping Garcon or DeSean Jackson, the more the Redskins might bring back the possession receiver. Garcon is hitting the second half of his career but his consistency in Washington and the career-high 1,346 yards he posted under Shanahan in 2013 are attractive qualities to an offense lacking any sizzle. Kyle and Mike originally signed Garcon in the 2010 offseason from Indianapolis.
Does he fit: Is he willing to jump from a playoff squad to a rebuilding team for more money? A rookie in the top three rounds paired with Torrey Smith and Garcon is a start in the right direction, but once the 49ers are finally competitive in a few years (hopefully), the Haitian native may no longer be a part of the equation.
WR Aldrick Robinson
Age: 28
2016 stats: 20 catches, 323 yards, 2 TD, 16.2 YPC
The epitome of what makes Shanahan such a dangerous offensive coach is Robinson. Scooped up off the streets in Washington, he quickly became Robert Griffin III’s favorite deep ball target and assumed a similar role in Atlanta. Shanahan generally loves having one short, quick receiver because there are some corners who really struggle to cover those types. Robinson (5-foot-10, 187 pounds) fits the bill.
Does he fit: He’s more of your fourth or fifth receiving option on the depth chart, but Shanahan knows him well. At a cheap price, this move makes a ton of sense.
WR Taylor Gabriel (restricted)
Age: 25
2016 stats: 35 catches, 579 yards, 6 TD, 16.5 YPC
Gabriel knows Shanahan has given him the opportunity of a lifetime and may feel a sense of loyalty to his former offensive coordinator, but the Falcons have the cap room to match any offer on the player affectionately known as “Turbo” in Atlanta. Former Browns GM Ray Farmer was actually the one who went to bat for Gabriel in Cleveland and Shanahan elevated the 5-foot-8 receiver into a pinch-hitting home run threat back in 2014 alongside Hoyer. The Browns inexplicably cut Gabriel in August and the Falcons pounced right away.
Does he fit: Absolutely, but again, Atlanta isn’t in a position to let any pieces from their No. 1 offense to walk away.
WR Josh Gordon (restricted)
Age: 25
2016 stats: Did not play
Shanahan is the last offensive coordinator to call plays for Gordon, who hasn’t suited up since the 2014 season. Personal demons with alcohol, drugs and a paternity suit have derailed what could’ve been an incredible NFL career for Gordon. When he was last on the field, Cleveland’s offense sputtered down the stretch with Hoyer, Johnny Manziel and Connor Shaw all taking turns to force the ball in Gordon’s direction. In 2013, he set the NFL ablaze with Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell slinging him the rock.
Does he fit: Never say never, but this would be a shocking move. Gordon’s by far the most talented football player on this list, but he hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt — especially from a brand new regime trying to establish credibility as decision makers.
WR Charles Johnson (restricted)
Age: 27
2016 stats: 20 catches, 242 yards, 0 TD
There was a rumor in Cleveland the offensive coaching staff was very unhappy Johnson was one of the final cuts in 2014. A rangy receiver with lateral speed, Johnson came on strong during his rookie season in Minnesota but has since struggled to find a role after Stefon Diggs’ emergence.
Does he fit: This could be the classic case of Shanahan taking a relatively unknown guy and turning him into a 500-yard, five touchdown guy for the 49ers. Or at Johnson’s age, Shanahan might be more inclined to take a flier or two late in the NFL Draft on a receiver.
