Madden 19: San Francisco 49ers Player Ratings, Roster, Depth Chart & Playbooks

By Toby DurantHead of Content

The San Francisco 49ers were one of the most impressive teams in the league under Jim Harbaugh at the start of the decade. They went 13-3 in 2011 and lost in the NFC Championship game, then in 2012 they went one better, only to lose to the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl, they made a third straight NFC title game in 2013 but lost to Seattle. Since then though the team has regressed. They haven’t registered a winning season and fell to the foot of the NFC West. In 2017, with the 49ers coming off a 2-14 season, they hired offensive guru Kyle Shanahan as head coach. Later that season they traded for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and they enter Madden 19 with a lot of promise and potential on both sides of the ball.

*All stats correct at time of writing

Team Rating

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The San Francisco 49ers get a poor 78 overall rating on Madden 19. This is in part because the roster has seen a lot of turn over since the Jim Harbaugh era and they are trying to find young talent. However, there are some bright spots to this roster. The offense gets a very nice 85 rating, putting it on par with Green Bay and ahead of teams like the Chargers. Defensively, this roster falls down completely. While there are one or two bright spots like Richard Sherman and DeForest Buckner, as a whole they are poor and get a very bad 75 rating, marking them as one of the worst defenses in Madden 19.

Richard Sherman, Cornerback (OVR 93)

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Age: 29

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 3 years/$16 million

2018 Cap Hit: $5.22 million

Best Stats: Play Recognition (99), Jumping (98), Press (96), Agility (96), Zone Coverage (94), Man Coverage (89), Acceleration (89), Speed (88)

Richard Sherman was one of the best cornerbacks in modern football. He was a key part of Seattle’s success, and the 49ers lack of it, but injuries added up to reduce his impact and his contract became to much. He played just nine games for the Seahawks in 2017 before injury claimed his season and he was released. In the offseason Sherman signed with the 49ers for the sole reason to play Seattle twice a year. Sherman comes to San Francisco with 32 interceptions to his name, five forced fumbles, two touchdowns, and a Super Bowl ring.

George Kittle, Tight End (OVR 89)

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Age: 24

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 3 years/$2.01 million

2018 Cap Hit: $630k

Best Stats: Catching (91), Awareness (89), Acceleration (88), Speed (87), Short Route (81), Catch In Traffic (81)

George Kittle was a fifth-round pick in 2017 out of Iowa. Not much was expected, but Kittle showed some promise in college making 42 catches in his final two years, racking up 604 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his rookie year Kittle showed more than promise, especially once Jimmy Garoppolo arrived. He finished the year with 515 yards and comes into Madden 19 as an impressive receiving option and arguably the 49ers best weapon.

DeForest Buckner, Defensive End (OVR 87)

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Age: 24

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 2 years/$9.4 million

2018 Cap Hit: $4.4 million

Best Stats: Finesse Moves (90), Play Recognition (89), Awareness (89), Strength (89), Tackle (89), Block Shedding (83), Acceleration (83)

DeForest Buckner was the seventh-overall pick in 2016 out of Oregon. The 6 foot 7 monster brought quickness, strength, and an impressive mind for the game to the 49ers defensive line. At Oregon Buckner racked up 18 sacks and 36 tackles for loss and in his rookie year he immediately flashed the kind of offense-destroying talents San Francisco had hoped for. His second year was even more impressive, even if the statistical results were not as good. He comes into his third year in the NFL with nine sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 40 QB hits to his name.

Jimmy Garoppolo, Quarterback (OVR 81)

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Age: 26

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 5 years/$95 million

2018 Cap Hit: $17.7 million

Best Stats: Throw Power (94), Short Accuracy (89), Play Action (87), Throw On Run (85), Throw Under Pressure (84), Medium Accuracy (82)

Jimmy Garoppolo was a second-round pick in 2014 for the New England Patriots. He sat behind Tom Brady for a long time, but always impressed in his pre-season outings. When Brady was suspended to start the 2016 season Garoppolo finally got a chance to see live action, and in his first game against Arizona he completed 72 percent of his passes for 264 yards and a touchdown. He threw three scores the week after before landing on his shoulder and getting injured. Still, it was enough to entice QB-needy teams, and at the 2017 trade deadline the 49ers sent a second-round pick to New England for him. He started 5 games that year fore the 49ers, completing 67 percent of his passes for 1,542 yards, throwing 6 touchdowns and registering a 94 QB rating. He comes into 2018 with a lot of potential and the ability to carry the 49ers back up the NFC West standings.

Full Roster & Depth Chart

QB
OVR
Speed
Throw Power
Short Accuracy
Medium Accuracy
Deep Accuracy
Throw Under Pressure
Play Action
Jimmy Garoppolo
81
74
94
89
82
79
84
87
Nick Mullens
69
76
90
82
77
72
78
81
CJ Beathard
68
78
88
83
78
77
73
79
HB
OVR
Speed
Agility
Elusiveness
Carrying
Juke Move
Catching
Jerick McKinnon
84
93
96
87
85
91
73
Matt Breida
84
93
89
82
89
89
67
Alfred Morris
76
87
82
70
92
78
61
Raheem Mostert
74
93
87
79
77
83
62
Jeff Wilson Jr
67
87
85
70
79
78
66
Matthew Dayes
64
84
85
71
82
83
67
FB
OVR
Speed
Strength
Carrying
Pass Block
Run Block
Lead Block
Impact Block
Kyle Juszczyk
85
82
79
76
62
70
92
69
WR
OVR
Speed
Agility
Catching
Short Route
Medium Route
Deep Route
Catch In Traffic
Spectacular Catch
Release
Jumping
Marquise Goodwin
84
96
91
86
84
85
86
79
84
77
95
Pierre Garcon
82
89
87
90
83
80
79
85
87
81
90
Dante Pettis
80
90
94
86
84
85
84
79
86
80
92
Trent Taylor
76
88
92
86
85
80
76
81
83
65
80
Kendrick Bourne
74
88
93
81
77
76
72
77
78
77
86
Richie James Jr
70
90
90
78
79
75
74
75
83
67
85
TE
OVR
Speed
Agility
Catching
Short Route
Medium Route
Deep Route
Run Block
George Kittle
89
87
83
91
81
78
72
77
Garrett Celek
74
79
76
81
68
63
60
69
Ross Dwelley
63
76
71
76
61
57
50
55
Colin Holba
44
69
65
59
46
41
36
48
Kyle Nelson
43
81
70
60
45
40
35
51
OL
OVR
Speed
Strength
Pass Block
Run Block
Lead Block
Impact Block
Joe Staley
89
74
92
87
89
88
87
Mike McGlinchey
83
70
89
79
87
86
83
Mike Person
76
67
81
80
79
78
81
Laken Tomlinson
75
66
87
77
81
76
78
Weston Richburg
75
68
89
76
77
81
87
Joshua Garnett
69
62
84
73
73
82
83
Shon Coleman
67
66
86
73
73
76
78
Garry Gilliam
67
71
84
71
74
76
78
Erik Magnuson
63
60
81
70
72
74
73
DE
OVR
Speed
Agility
Power Moves
Finesse Moves
Block Shedding
Arik Armstead
80
69
74
84
72
80
Solomon Thomas
76
83
80
64
75
78
Ronald Blair III
76
77
75
79
63
75
Cassius Marsh
75
82
75
65
81
71
Dekoda Watson
72
84
84
66
77
68
Jullian Taylor
69
74
72
71
63
74
Kentavius Street
68
77
77
67
74
69
DT
OVR
Speed
Strength
Power Moves
Finesse Moves
Block Shedding
Impact Block
DeForest Buckner
87
73
86
80
90
83
88
Earl Mitchell
74
75
86
78
64
70
85
Sheldon Day
74
70
80
81
68
68
82
DJ Jones
73
71
89
75
61
74
86
OLB
OVR
Speed
Agility
Tackle
Hit Power
Play Recognition
Pursuit
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Malcolm Smith
75
85
82
83
77
75
82
51
56
Mark Nzeocha
68
84
84
80
69
65
72
60
71
Elijah Lee
68
82
82
80
86
57
76
66
67
James Onwualu
68
80
87
78
72
59
76
65
69
Pita Taumoepenu
67
83
86
72
68
56
78
41
53
MLB
OVR
Speed
Agility
Tackle
Hit Power
Play Recognition
Pursuit
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Fred Warner
75
84
85
79
80
74
82
71
77
Brock Coyle
64
85
80
77
78
69
75
49
56
CB
OVR
Speed
Acceleration
Agility
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Press
Richard Sherman
93
88
89
96
89
94
96
Jimmie Ward
77
90
91
88
73
70
82
K/Waun Williams
76
88
92
92
75
79
67
Ahkello Witherspoon
74
91
92
91
73
75
73
Greg Mabin
69
88
91
84
72
75
79
Tarvarius Moore
69
94
93
86
69
74
65
Emmanuel Moseley
63
92
94
85
68
69
66
FS
OVR
Speed
Acceleration
Agility
Play Recognition
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Adrian Colbert
75
93
94
85
75
69
72
Antone Exum Jr
69
88
89
89
65
70
68
DJ Reed Jr
69
90
91
88
58
74
77
Tyree Robinson
65
88
88
80
55
71
69
Godwin Igwebuike
63
88
88
93
48
65
63
SS
OVR
Speed
Acceleration
Tackle
Play Recognition
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Jaquiski Tartt
83
90
91
73
81
77
81
Marcell Harris
68
86
89
72
61
68
73
ST
OVR
Kick Power
Kick Accuracy
Robbie Gould (K)
85
94
94
Bradley Pinion (P)
78
93
86

The 49ers roster is far from the most talented in Madden 19, but there are plenty of bright spots and youthful potential all over the team. Jimmy Garoppolo (94 throw power, 89 short accuracy) leads the offense at quarterback, though he comes into Madden 19 with a torn ACL. Around him is an army of receivers led by the speedster Marquise Goodwin (96 speed, 95 jumping) and tight end George Kittle (91 catching, 87 speed). Along with them is reliable veteran Pierre Garcon (90 catching, 83 short route) and rookie Dante Pettis (90 speed, 85 medium route). At running back there is the solid Matt Breida (93 speed, 89 juke move) and the speedy Raheem Mostert (94 acceleration, 93 speed). There is also Jerick McKinnon (93 speed, 85 break tackle) but like Garoppolo he is on the shelf until the 2019 season, unless you remove pre-existing injuries when you set up your franchise.

This offense also has a very solid offensive line with veteran left tackle Joe Staley (87 pass block, 89 run block) and rookie right tackle Mike McGlinchey (79 pass block, 87 run block). In the middle Weston Richburg (76 pass block, 77 run block) is a good center but the guard spots could use an upgrade.

Defensively the 49ers are far less impressive. Up front they have young starts in DeForest Buckner (90 finesse moves, 86 strength), Arik Armstead (85 tackle, 84 power moves), and Solomon Thomas (87 strength, 78 block shedding), but behind them there is very little at either linebacker or safety. Jaquiski Tartt (90 speed, 81 play recognition) is a solid strong safety, and Richard Sherman (96 press, 94 zone coverage) is still a very good cornerback, but the secondary needs total overhaul as quickly as possible if the 49ers are to compete.

San Francisco 49ers Playbook - Offense

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I Form Close

I Form Close Flex

I Form Pro

I Form Slot

I Form Tight

I Form Twin TE

I Form Y Off

Strong I Close

Strong I Y Off

Weak I Close

Weak I Pro

Weak I Slot Open Flex

Singleback Ace

Singleback Ace Pair

Singleback Bunch

Singleback Deuce Close

Singleback Dice Slot

Singleback Wing Slot

Singleback Wing Tight

Singleback Wing Tight Z

Singleback Y Off Trio

Pistol Full Panther

Pistol Y Trips

Shotgun Bunch Wide

Shotgun Doubles Y Off Wk

Shotgun Doubles Y-Flex

Shotgun Empty Base Flex

Shotgun Split Close

Shotgun Stack Y-Flex

Shotgun Tight

Shotgun Trey

Shotgun Trey Open

Shotgun Trey Y-Flex

Shotgun Trips Open

Shotgun Wing Tight

Shotgun Y Off Trio Wk

The San Francisco 49ers offensive playbook is a delight. There is a lot of I Form plays that get Kyle Juszczyk on the field and make use of his talents. There are also a lot of formations that allow for misdirection and the creation of advantageous angles both on the ground and for receivers. Singleback Deuce Close and Shotgun Split Close are especially good for that, but both Pistol formations are nice, along with personal favorites Shotgun Trey Y-Flex. Stack Y-Flex is very good for getting a receiver a free release off the line, and Bunch Wide can force defenses to declare their coverage very early.

San Francisco 49ers Playbook - Defense

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4-3 Normal

4-3 Over

4-3 Over Plus

4-3 Under

4-3 Wide 9

4-4 Split

Nickel Normal

Nickel Double A Gap

Nickel Wide 9

Big Nickel Over G

Dime Normal

Quarter Normal

Quarter 3 Deep

Dollar 3-2-6

Goal Line Defense 5-3-3

Goal Line Defense 5-4-2

The 49ers defensive playbook is a pretty standard 4-3 defense. You get the usual 5 4-3 fronts, but you also get a 4-4 Split look that loads the line of scrimmage and can bring a lot of pressure. There are not as many sub-packages as some other playbooks, but there are still enough Nickel and Dime formations to generate a lot of coverage.