5 Questions With The Enemy: Asking A 49ers Fan About What Mike Evans Brings To Sf’s Offense

The Los Angeles Rams kick off the season against a familiar foe in the San Francisco 49ers, this time in Australia. Both teams split the season series in 2025, with the Niners winning in overtime in Week 5, and the Rams returning the favor in a 42-26 beatdown in Week 10.

Several players are new to the rivalry after joining the franchises this offseason. Most notably on the 49ers side is future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans, who swapped one bay for another after spending his first 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Before we throw some extra shrimp (and hot wings) on the barbie for Thursday’s game, I spoke with Nicholas McGee from Niners Nation to get the inside scoop on Evans, the Niners’ injury concerns, the team’s travel plans and more.

Q – Injuries have been a major concern for San Francisco for years under Kyle Shanahan, and it seems to be more of the same in a wild offseason for the Niners. Who are some key players battling the injury bug entering the season opener?

A – The standout is Nick Bosa, who is dealing with knee tendonitis related to his ACL surgery. It seems like that’s an issue they’ll have to cope with all season, which is a significant problem given the distinct lack of difference-makers off the edge aside from him. Mykel Williams is on PUP and rookie edge Romello Height has dealt with an ankle issue.

On offense, George Kittle’s Week 1 status was a question-mark following his Achilles tear in the playoffs last season, but it seems as if he will be ready to go almost eight months to the day of that injury.

Q – We know about LA’s one-two punch at wide receiver, and the 49ers might have their own with free agent addition Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel back in the fold. How are you expecting that duo to fare in the offense this season? 

A – As long as he stays healthy, I anticipate Evans developing an excellent rapport with Brock Purdy and becoming the quarterback’s favorite target this season.

With Samuel, I think his production is partially dependent on how the deep passing game fares. The 49ers brought in Evans and drafted De’Zhaun Stribling with a view to improving their downfield attack. Should that duo have success in winning deep, that will create more space underneath for Samuel, whose best work has always come in the short to intermediate areas.

At this stage in his career, it’s hard to envisage Samuel being a huge part of the run game as he was for much of his first spell with the 49ers, and there are too many other options in the passing game to expect him to get close to a third season with over 1,000 scrimmage yards. 

San Francisco got 806 scrimmage yards and four scores from Samuel back in 2024. While they might hope for more in terms of touchdowns, I think they would see that kind of yardage as a success for Samuel.

Q – Who have been some standout players in training camp and preseason that Rams fans should know? 

A – Stribling was the star of camp and preseason. His selection with the 33rd overall pick raised a lot of eyebrows, but there’s already evidence to suggest that pick will be justified. 

He’s excelled running timing routes that are a staple of the offense and has demonstrated impressive body control and strong hands while essentially cementing his spot as WR2. Stribling has the speed to be a true deep threat and do significant damage after the catch. I would expect him to be an integral part of the passing game this year.

On defense, there are a couple of names. Rookie fourth-round pick Gracen Halton flashed in preseason and looks to be a player who, alongside Osa Odighizuwa, can provide a substantial boost to an interior pass rush that was too often ineffective last season.

There’s also a great deal of excitement around rookie fifth-round linebacker Jaden Dugger. He’s a former safety who possesses an outstanding blend of size and speed and has shone with his speed to the ball in preseason.

Though defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has urged patience with Dugger, he’ll likely see the field early as the SAM linebacker and could be key to slowing down the Rams when they get into those 13 personnel looks. Dugger has also been cross-training as a pass rusher and, with the 49ers light on numbers at edge rusher, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see San Francisco take advantage of that versatility right off the bat.

Q – Much of the talk this offseason has been about the Rams and Seahawks, but the Niners are no slouch, as they’re coming off a 12-win campaign. How do you expect their season to play out in 2026?

A – Unfortunately, I think it will be quite similar to last season, though hopefully with fewer injuries. I expect another double-digit win season, but I think the massive hole at left guard — where rookie fourth-rounder Carver Willis seems the most likely starter — and the lack of strength in depth on the defensive line place a cap on this team’s ceiling.

I expect Kyle Shanahan to pick up his 10th career playoff win, but the 49ers are still a step below their division rivals for me. Right now it’s hard to view the Niners as anything more than a wild-card team that exits in the Divisional Round again.

Q – San Francisco is a 3.5-point underdog at FanDuel Sportsbook ahead of their venture down under against LA. Much has been debated about both teams’ travel plans, so which do you think will pan out and why? 

A – Rams and 49ers games are always fun, and with the strength of the two offenses, I expect the first game in Australia to be very entertaining. 

I do think the Rams are taking a little bit of a gamble with their travel plans — though it worked for them last year in London — but when I look at the two rosters I see more avenues for Los Angeles to get defensive stops than I do with San Francisco.

Three-and-a-half points is about right. It’ll be close, but I think the Rams win. Let’s go 34-30.