Playing Through the Pain: Banged-Up Mike Evans Earns Top PFF Grade in Week 4 Victory

The San Francisco 49ers pushed their record to 4-0 on the 2026 season following Sunday's 24-14 victory over the Denver Broncos. While the overall offensive performance featured its share of growing pains and mid-game reshuffling, Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its player grades, revealing a day dominated by veteran star power at the top and notable pass-protection challenges along the interior line.

Despite entering the weekend questionable with a painful rib injury, wide receiver Mike Evans proved why San Francisco prioritized his veteran presence on the boundary. Logging 39 offensive snaps, Evans posted a game-high 88.9 overall offensive grade and an 86.9 receiving grade. Targeted eight times on the afternoon, Evans hauled in five receptions for a game-high 76 yards, serving as Brock Purdy’s most reliable downfield target.

On the left side of the line, All-Pro tackle Trent Williams delivered another clean sheet. Playing all 66 offensive snaps, Williams earned a 78.5 overall offensive grade, anchored by a team-high 85.6 pass-blocking mark and a 71.2 run-blocking grade. Across 34 pass-blocking sets, Williams did not allow a single pressure, hit, or hurry on Purdy.

Purdy himself turned in a solid outing, earning a 73.1 offensive grade and a 71.8 passing mark. The quarterback finished 19-of-30 for 218 yards, two touchdowns, and a 107.4 passer rating. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk (68.2 grade on 27 snaps) and backup running back Kaelon Black (64.6 grade on 17 snaps) rounded out the top five offensive performers.

While the 49ers maintained their streak of zero sacks surrendered through four games, Denver’s front seven tested San Francisco's protection scheme, generating 11 total pressures.

The interior offensive line bore the brunt of the pressure. Left guard Connor Colby recorded the team's lowest overall offensive grade (54.3) and a game-low 32.1 pass-blocking mark after surrendering four pressures. Right tackle Colton McKivitz allowed three pressures, while center Jake Brendel (56.8 run-blocking grade) and right guard Dominick Puni were credited with two pressures allowed each.

Fullback Kyle Juszczyk struggled on his run-blocking assignments, recording a team-low 42.4 grade in that discipline despite his solid overall impact.

San Francisco's secondary receiver depth posted quiet outings according to PFF's metrics. Newly elevated veteran Brandin Cooks received a 45.0 grade on eight snaps, while Jacob Cowing logged a 48.4 overall grade and a team-low 52.4 receiving grade after failing to haul in his lone target. Tight end Brayden Willis (49.4) and wideout Jordan Watkins (50.2) also registered sub-51 marks. On a positive note for the entire receiving corps, San Francisco finished the game without a single dropped pass.

In the run game, Black led all 49ers ball-carriers with a 65.3 rushing grade, picking up 13 yards on six attempts. Starter Christian McCaffrey earned a 59.6 rushing grade on 15 carries for 52 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown, while Cowing recorded the lowest rushing mark (56.5) on a single two-yard sweep.

Kyle Shanahan’s offense continues to find ways to produce when it matters most, but PFF's underlying data highlights clear areas for growth along the interior line as San Francisco prepares for Week 5.