49ers news: 5 players who need to step up in Week 4 against the Patriots

With the 49ers’ injuries, defensive and special teams concerns, and underwhelming performances piling up, it’s imperative the team gets back on the winning track Sunday against the Patriots. There are no “gimme games” in the NFL (clearly, right?), but the Patriots come into this game with a bottom-of-the-league offense, and what could be an opportunity for the 49ers defense to gain some confidence and steam moving forward.

Here are five players who must step up for the 49ers on Sunday.

Leonard Floyd

Javon Hargrave is out for the season following his finest performance on the season, and the defensive line is still having a tough time getting home and finishing plays. Leonard Floyd was brought in to be Nick Bosa’s running mate off the EDGE, and following a three-pressure, one-sack performance against the Jets has been largely non-existent.

Through three games, Floyd has five pressures, two committed penalties, and a pass-rush win rate of 5.9 percent on 54 pass-rushing snaps. The 49ers will look to replace Hargrave with Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott, and Yetur Gross-Matos, but Floyd needs to lead this unit as the elder statesman.

Isaac Yiadom

Frankly, Yiadom is a target for offenses. The secondary as a whole hasn’t met expectations in 2024, but Yiadom has struggled, allowing ten receptions on 15 targets (76.9%) for 123 yards for 12.3 per reception, a touchdown, 42 yards after catch, and a passer rating of 131.3.

Opposing passers have had their way with the 49ers, as the secondary has allowed a 108.0 passer rating. Only Deommodore Lenoir and De’Vondre Campbell have been targeted more, but Yiadom has to step up his play.

Colton McKivitz

According to Pro Football Focus, McKivitz finished Sunday’s game with a 42.8 pass-blocking grade and allowed five pressures, three hurries, a QB hit, and a sack on 43 pass-blocking snaps.

Digging deeper. McKivitz had 20 true pass-blocking sets and finished with a worse pass-blocking grade of 36.3. McKivitz’s true pass efficiency was a team-low 84.4.

The Special teams unit

Punter, kicker, punt coverage, punt blocking, kick returning, all of it needs to improve. Under Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers special teams unit routinely is poor. No matter the coordinator or players, for whatever reason the special teams unit continues to be an eyesore in every facet.

As much blame as the defense deserves, the special teams unit is just as much to blame from the poor punt coverage on the fake punt from Sean McVay to Jake Moody’s missed kick that would have iced the game to Mitch Wishnowsky’s poor line drive punt and poor punt coverage from the 49ers that led to the game-winning field goal.

Brandon Aiyuk

Yes, Christian Gonzalez will likely follow Aiyuk around and is one of the top cover corners in the NFL, but Aiyuk needs to convert his chances when they come to him. Last week, Aiyuk was creating separation, but the Rams were clearly focused on containing him, which led to Jauan Jennings getting advantageous matchups.

Aiyuk impacted the game last week with his presence, but his presence alone isn’t enough. Converting only five receptions from ten targets is far from efficient, and Aiyuk is seeing the attention that the top receivers in the NFL do. How will Aiyuk respond to the extra attention?