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49ers stock watch: Rookies shine again, D-line takes a hit

Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (49) carries the ball on a kickoff return against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (49) carries the ball on a kickoff return against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers are done with their preseason slate.

Their exhibition season came to an end Friday night with a 24-24 tie against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.

Friday marked the final chance for players to stake their claim to roster spots or places on the depth chart. A handful of performances might have been enough for players on the outside looking in at a roster spot to sneak in.

Here's whose stock rose, and whose fell in the final preseason bout of the year:

Stock up: RB Isaac Guerendo

Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (49) carries the ball on a kickoff return against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (49) carries the ball on a kickoff return against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It's hard to have a better preseason debut than Guerendo did given his circumstances. He returned a kick for 93 yards and flashed some good upside as a runner with 32 yards on 11 carries. Guerendo was on the outside looking in at a roster spot entering the night. He might have played his way in.

Stock down: Defensive line

Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) is helped off the field after sustaining an apparent injury while playing against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) is helped off the field after sustaining an apparent injury while playing against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

It was a rough first quarter for the 49ers starting defensive line. Nick Bosa didn't play, but Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos did. Both players figure to be right behind Bosa in terms of snaps this year, and both exited with injuries in the first 15 minutes. The 49ers' defensive line was already thin. If those injuries are substantial at all, it's potentially a major blow to that side of the ball for San Francisco.

Stock up: RB Jordan Mason

Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) attempts to break the tackle of Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) attempts to break the tackle of Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Mason's stock was already trending way up. It's moving further north after Friday's game. He was excellent with 42 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. He nearly pulled in an incredible diving grab on the sidelines as well. There's a strong chance Mason is the 49ers' backup RB behind Christian McCaffrey to open the year.

Stock down: OL depth

Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general overall view of San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders helmets at the line of scrimmage at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general overall view of San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders helmets at the line of scrimmage at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers badly need left tackle Trent Williams back from his holdout and left guard Aaron Banks back from his injury. San Francisco's offensive line should be okay with those two in the starting group. If one or both aren't there, this group starts to look very thin with not a ton of reliability behind their starters. Jon Feliciano will help once he returns from a knee injury. Spencer Burford can bolster the interior depth as well. Friday night painted a grim picture of life in the short term without one of Williams or Banks.

Stock up: QB Josh Dobbs

Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (5) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (5) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Dobbs may not win the backup QB job, but he made a really strong case Friday. He made some really excellent throws into coverage and once again used his athleticism to escape pressure. The 49ers may prefer the consistency of Brandon Allen since Dobbs' accuracy can be a little sporadic, but he made a heck of a push in the last two preseason contests. Dobbs finished Friday's game 8-of-10 for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Stock up: WR Jacob Cowing

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 23: Wide receiver Jacob Cowing #83 of the San Francisco 49ers returns a punt in the first half of a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 23: Wide receiver Jacob Cowing #83 of the San Francisco 49ers returns a punt in the first half of a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

It's all about stacking days for rookies and Cowing has done that since his return from a hamstring injury. He backed up his stellar Week 2 preseason debut with another strong game Friday. Against the Raiders he hauled in all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown, flashing his multi-faceted skill set once again. He also continued to work reliably as a punt returner, which may be his primary role out of the gate.

Stock up: The CB room

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 09: Samuel Womack III #0 participates during San Francisco 49ers practice ahead of Super Bowl LVIII at Fertitta Football Complex on February 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 09: Samuel Womack III #0 participates during San Francisco 49ers practice ahead of Super Bowl LVIII at Fertitta Football Complex on February 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

The 49ers have some tough decisions to make in their cornerback room. Darrell Luter Jr. and Samuel Womack both played deep into Friday's game, indicating they could be battling each other for a roster spot. Womack had the better overall game, but he had the worst play of the night when he got beat in coverage for a long touchdown. Luter had a worse overall game, but he had the best play of the night when he snagged an interception on a fade in the end zone. It'll be a tough call, but both players acquitted themselves well.

Stock down: Antonio Pierce

Aug 17, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce at the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce at the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders head coach played for the tie at the end of a preseason game. Yikes.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers stock watch: Rookies shine again, D-line takes a hit