Previously I went over the 49ers top positional battles for the 2019 season, covering the teams backup QB, top RB, slot WR, #2 TE, starting SAM LB, #2 CB, and starting FS, now let’s take a look at the teams other top positional battles.
First up is the teams 6th wide receiver, as outlined in the previous article, I had Trent Taylor winning the slot wide receiver spot, joining Dante Pettis, Debbo Samuel, Marquise Goodwin, and Jalen Hurd in the WR corps, so now let’s breakdown who will be the last WR.
The potential players are as follows, 2017 UDFA Kendrick Bourne, 2018 7th-rounder Richie James Jr., and 2019 signee Jordan Matthews.
Let’s now give a reason for all 3 below.
Bourne, who was a 2017 UDFA out of Eastern Washington, had a very good showing in 2018, when he caught 42 balls, for 487 yards, and 4 touchdowns. As long as he shows up in the preseason, and camp, he should be the guy.
James only had 9 catches in 2018, but had the teams lone kick return touchdown, and if that’s the area where the 49ers are looking for their 6th WR to excel at, then James is your man.
Matthews, as outlined in the previous article, has seen his production go down each year, the past 2 seasons. If he’s to win the 6th WR spot, he needs to more consistent.
So my choice is Bourne, as he was very productive for the 49ers in 2018, and should see some good playing time in 2019.
Next up is the 49ers backup Center spot, we have Ben Garland, who wad recently signed, along with veterans Erik Magnuson, and Wesley Johnson battling for that spot.
Now let’s give a reasoning for each.
Garland, who signed recently, was given a 1yr/$805,000 deal, with $520,000 guaranteed at signing, and he knows Kyle Shanahan’s system, as he played under Kyle in Atlanta. Plus he can play all 3 interior offensive lineman spots, as well as defensive tackle.
Magnuson has been the teams center the past 2 seasons after being a undrafted free agent out of Michigan, but this may be the year he’s unseated. What he has going for him is versatility, as he can also play some guard and tackle.
Johnson, signed recently as well, was once considered a big time center, but his play has dropped off, so he’s likely the longest of the 3 to get the backup spot.
My pick is Ben Garland, the fact that he received $520,000 guaranteed, and the fact he knows the system puts him head and shoulders above the others. Plus I have Garland as a lock to make it.
Next up is the teams backup Guard spot, with former 1st-rounder Joshua Garnett, 2018 UDFA Najee Toran, and the previously mentioned Magnuson and Johnson as potential backups.
Now let’s give a reasoning for the first 2.
Garnett has never been given a real chance to show up, injuries have really slowed him, and held him back. But if he can stay healthy, and prove he was worth the 49ers 2nd of 2 1st-round picks in 2016, then he’s the guy.
Toran played some in 2018, but wasn’t as effective as you would have liked, he seems like a long shot.
I already outlines both Magnuson, and Johnson above.
With that said, I’d have to give it to Garnett, but I can see the team going with either Magnuson or Johnson.
Next up is the backup Tackle.
Shon Coleman is the current leader for the swing 3rd Tackle spot, then we have 6th-rounder Justin Skule, and that’s pretty much all the 49ers have in the way of backup Tackles, but I suppose Magnuson could be in play here too, as he played Tackle for the 49ers in 2017, and at Michigan.
So let’s give reasoning for each.
Coleman was traded for at the 2018 cut down day for a 2019 7th-rounder, and his base salary, which is un-guaranteed, is now at $2.005 million, but the fact that he has experience as a starter for the Cleveland Browns, makes him the leading candidate.
Skule, a 6th-rounder out of Vanderbilt, is an intriguing prospect, he played left tackle at Vandy, and has a nice size frame. I can see him being the teams 9th offensive lineman come cut down day.
With that said, I have to give the 3rd Tackle spot to Coleman, due to the experience factor.
Now we go on the defensive side of the ball, with the teams backup defensive end.
We have several candidates here, Kentavius Street, a former 4th-rounder out of N.C. State, also Ronald Blair III, former mid rounder out of Appalachian State.
Now let’s give reasoning for each.
Street, who tore his ACL in a pre draft workout, never got onto the field his rookie season, and should get plenty of reps in preseason to show he’s not only worthy of being a lock, but also of being on the game day 46 man roster.
Blair can play all over the place, he can be a backup big end, backup Leo, and also play defensive tackle. He should also see plenty of time in preseason, and should be active quite a bit this season.
So, I believe Street will get most of the reps in season, with Blair also getting reps.
Next up is the backup linebackers, we already know Kwon Alexander, and Fred Warner will start at the weak-side, and middle linebacker spots, but what about the backups?
We have several candidates, veteran LaRoy Reynolds, 5th-rounder Dre Greenlaw, Elijah Lee, David Mayo, and Mark Nzeocha.
Let’s give reasonings for each now.
Reynolds has been effective, but mostly on special teams, as he hasn’t had more than 30 tackles in any of his 7 seasons in the NFL. He needs to show he can be effective as a linebacker, and as a special teamer to make the 53, and ultimately the 46 man gameday roster.
Greenlaw, the 49ers 5th-rounder out of Arkansas, could very well be the teams strong-side linebacker, while backing up both Alexander, and Warner.
Lee, who filled in for Reuben Foster last year, has played very well, as he had 54 total tackles in 16 games played last season, and should be among the teams linebackers this season.
Mayo, who is a special teamer, doesn’t really bring much in the way of being a backup mike linebacker, but he could show something in preseason to prove us all wrong.
Finally Nzeocha, who played strong-side linebacker in 2018, can also play weak-side, and middle linebacker if needed, I see him being one of the teams linebackers.
With that said, I have all but Reynolds making the final 53, with Greenlaw, and Lee getting the most action if needed.
Finally let’s look at who could be the teams other defensive backs.
We know Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, Jason Verrett, and K’Waun Williams should get the most snaps at cornerback, but D.J. Reed Jr. has a real shot of getting a good amount of play time, especially as a returner. The other CBs in camp include, Dontae Johnson, Tim Harris, Alex Brown, and Emmanuel Moseley.
As for the safety spot, it appears Tarvarius Moore, Adrian Colbert, Jaquiski Tartt and if healthy Jimmie Ward will get the most play time, but my bet is Marcell Harris is the teams backup strong safety. Also in camp are Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Antone Exum Jr., and Tyree Robinson.
With that said, I expect Reed, and Harris to make the 53-man roster, and get plenty of reps on special teams.
Well there you have it, we took a look at the teams 6th WR, backup C, backup OG, backup OT, backup DE/LEO, backups LBs, and backup DBs.
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