Dontay Atkinson

Writer and Sports Analyst for ReachNorth Media and editorial columnist for The Morning Line. #NFL #49ers

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

The fact Evans is iffy is exactly why they got Allen. They aren’t the same player type, but they have similar attributes (great hands, bigger bodied, route capable, great blockers). Allen adds a reliable target for Purdy, to team up with Kittle, Robinson and Watkins for now, and Deebo soon.

When Evans is ready, it’s easy to rotate Allen in with the others.

Allen is a solid, experienced pass catcher that provides great WR insurance this year. It’s not more complicated than that.

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

He completely misses the point, in that Allen is an add to get them a SB now. In much the same way adding Evans and Deebo were.

The team can add youth through the draft or offseason trades/signings.

Wake up.

[Coach Yac 🗣 @Coach_Yac]

Ran Carthon gives the 49ers a C for their grade on the Keenan Allen trade

“I understand his role is gonna be a big slot. I would have liked to see them get more speed on the perimeter and get younger. They’re continuously getting older with him, with Deebo Samuel and also with Mike Evans.”

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

The 49ers made one less trade than I had estimated. I had them trading for a DT, WR and Edge—the third trade never materialized.

What was far more surprising was the fact neither the Seahawks nor the Rams were able to make any deals at their greatest positions of need.

The Seahawks (despite adding an elite guard) failed to improve at RB—where they’ve had to get through games with a feeble run offense, nor did they find another receiver to get the heat off of JSN.

The Rams (with Nacua and Adams both sidelined), got nothing done at WR. They, in fact, made no trades at all.

The 49ers made two key moves which should help them improve over the rest of the year. Seattle and LA are going to have a difficult time catching SF now, heading into the back half of the season.

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@TheReal_RLS I love Stribling. He’d be a HUGE asset going into the playoffs, and I think there’s a chance he can be ready. But I’m pretending he’s out for the season to avoid disappointment. 😂

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

Good enough to keep racking up wins for the rest of the regular season:

Keenan Allen
Demarcus Robinson
Jordan Watkins
George Kittle
CMC/Black

Playoff ready:

Mike Evans
Keenan Allen
Robinson/Watkins
Deebo Samuel
Kittle, CMC, Black

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@bbond34 You would have likely hit 75% if the Chargers weren’t weird. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@TheReal_RLS No, I’m not omitting him, just not counting on him until there’s some indication he can play this season. He just recently started walking. I’m trying to stay as close to reality as possible.

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@_hiranyaloka It made great sense 🙏🏽⭐️😎

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

This is the best move to keep the floor up on the 49ers passing game, without disturbing the makeup of the room for 2027.

Very experienced WR who can hold things together with Evans out, and complement the others in the room with Evans in. Excellent signing to keep things on track.

[Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero]

Trade! The Colts are sending six-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen to the 49ers for a 2027 sixth-round pick, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports.

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@seanmatteson I hope so. 🙏🏽

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@MikeFinn49 It moves the needle. But not enough, I believe.

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@CathyMellang I am very happy with this move. I’ve been advocating for this for a month. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@MidgetTamer His fist didn’t come within 6 inches of the face mask. Get to an eye doctor immediately.

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@MySportsUpdate Yeah, that’s a fumble. So I’m not sure what you’re on about.

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@RAIDERSHUB Say “grown men poke a ball” one more time and see what happens.

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

@LombardiHimself Yes. They play circus music. 🤡

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

This aged about as well as I suspected it would.

Enjoy the downward slide, silver and black dudes. And thanks for the 38 points.

[RAIDER OUTLAW @RaiderOutlaw]

The Las Vegas Raiders face the San Francisco 49ers today.

Brock Purdy finds out what it’s like to get bullied by the Raiders defense in school.

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

I agree with you there. And I don’t think you’re necessarily “wrong.” I do get much of what you are saying, and respect your viewpoint, even if we have somewhat different perspectives.

I do believe they still have plenty of room to improve.

And I very much appreciate your thoughts. I dig the convo. 👍🏽

[Dontay Atkinson @DonAtkinsonNFL]

Here’s the comparison. Tell me which one seems better…

49ers in 2023:
3rd in run defense
14th in pass defense
3rd in points allowed
8th overall

49ers in 2026:
1st in run defense
6th in pass defense
4th in points allowed
4th overall

I hear what you’re saying, but it feels like you’re trying to add style points into your equation.

The defense this year is younger and less experienced than the defense in 2023. That can make games look frenetic and sometimes too loose, but they are building the groundwork for a championship defense that could be around for several years. That takes more than a half dozen games to gel.

I agree they could use some DB help, but with the 5th youngest defensive unit in the league ranking top 6 in EVERY principal category, I think you’re being unduly stringent.