Breaking down the 49ers top positional battles for the 2019 season

With less than 2 months until training camp begins, and less than 100 days until the 2019 NFL season arrives, let’s take a look at the biggest camp battles the 49ers have this year.

We’ll begin with the backup quarterback spot, which right now it’s a 2 man race, with former 3^rd-rounder C.J. Beathard, and former UDFA Nick Mullens vying for the job.

Beathard was called upon last year after the injury to Jimmy Garoppolo, but after not playing up to par, the 49ers turned to Mullens, who impressed as the teams starting quarterback.

I’ve recently said Mullens was a lock, and I stand by that, I don’t see the 49ers cutting or trading Mullens, they have him locked up for 2019 at just $570,000, and in 2020 he’ll be a exclusive rights free agent, while he’ll be a restricted free agent in 2021, and won’t hit unrestricted free agency until 2022.

As for Beathard, the 49ers traded up in the 2017 draft to pick him, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations as the teams #2 QB, and I can fully see the team cutting ties if 1. They’re conformable with Garoppolo’s recovery, and 2. Beathard just doesn’t play well in the preseason. Now if the 49ers have reservations about Garoppolo, or worry about further injury, the 49ers likely carry Beathard, in addition to Garoppolo, and Mullens.

Next up is the teams top running back. The team has 3 very very good backs to choose from, 2018 signee Jerick McKinnon, 2017 UDFA & 2018 starter Matt Breida, and 2019 signee Tevin Coleman. All 3 should get a good amount of carries, and all 3 are locks, along with special team ace Raheem Mostert, who signed a 3-year extension in the offseason.

But the question is, who is the teams top back come opening day, but let’s give reasons for all 3 backs.

McKinnon signed a 4yr/$30 million deal in 2018, but tore his ACL before the season began, and deserves every shot at being the teams top back.

Breida really showed off last season when McKinnon went down, putting up 814 rushing yards on 153 carries, along with 3 touchdowns, but he also missed 2 games due to injuries, but he proved to be a reliable pass catcher, with 261 receiving yards on 27 catches, and 2 touchdowns. It really was a breakout year for Breida.

Coleman is the one back that knows Kyle Shanahan’s system better than anyone else on the roster, as he played for Shanahan in Atlanta when Shanahan was the Falcons offensive coordinator for 2 seasons. He signed a 2yr/$8.5 million deal, which many describe as a steal for the 49ers, as they offered Jets new back Le’Veon Bell a 3yr deal worth a lot more.

Now is the part where I decide who the teams top back is come opening day, well, my best bet is Coleman, as he knows the system, and is fully healthy. He could become the teams back for many years to come, but I expect all 3 to get plenty of carries.

We all know that Dante Pettis is the teams top WR, and 2^nd-round pick Deebo Samuel should start opposite Pettis, but the question is who will be the teams slot wide receivers.

Well we have plenty of candidates, 2017 5^th-rounder Trent Taylor, 2018 7^th-rounder Richie James Jr., and 2019 signee Jordan Matthews. There is an omission here, and that’s Marquise Goodwin, reasoning being, I don’t see him starting, or getting a heavy snap count, due to Shanahan wanting to get the most out of the former Olympian, and speedster, as no one else on the roster has his speed.

So let’s give reasoning for why each could win the job.

Taylor, who was money in the final 5 games of the 2017 season, when Jimmy Garoppolo went 5-0, fell off in 2018, but this was due to injuries, one notably a back injury, but if he’s back 100%, he has the best shot.

James has great speed, and looks like the one of the perfect candidates for this job, but James only had 9 catches, but put 130 yards in 2018, and had the teams lone kick return touchdown. If he can prove to be a reliable target that Taylor was in 2017, then James has a real shot here.

Now Matthews is the most experienced guy here, but his numbers have fallen off the past 2 seasons, as he went from having over 800 receiving yards in his first 3 seasons to just 582 total the past 2 seasons. His touchdown numbers also suffered, as he had 19 his first 3 years, and only 3 his past 2 years. If Matthews, who happens to be the cousin of 49ers Hall of Famer, and one of the best receivers ever Jerry Rice, he needs to show consistency, and he needs to show that 2017 and 2018 were flukes.

Now, my choice for the job is Trent Taylor, as the slot WR will likely be the 5^th WR on gamedays, and with Pettis, Samuel, Goodwin, and 3^rd-rounder Jalen Hurd all ahead of the rest, Taylor or whoever is the 5^th WR needs to bring more to the field than just being a WR, he needs to bring special teams play, which James has, being a solid return man, but Matthews doesn’t play special teams.

Next up is the battle for the #2 tight end spot, with 3 capable players, veteran Garrett Celek, recent signee Levine Toilolo, and 6^th-rounder Kaden Smith. Let’s take a look at each of these 3.

Celek, who has been with the 49ers for 7 seasons, has the experience, but his numbers went down in 2018, when he had 5 catches for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns, after putting up over 300 yards in 2016 and 2017. If Celek is to be the teams #2 TE, he needs to stay healthy, which was an issue last year, and he needs to show he has reliable hands, which is also a concern, as he tends to drop quite a bit of balls.

Toilolo was signed recently, and is a veteran, who has put up decent receiving yard numbers, but his bread and butter is his blocking game, which Pro Football Focus rated him as the top blocking tight end in 2018. If he can show he can be a reliable pass catcher, and also an elite blocker, this may be an easy choice.

Smith, the teams 6^th-round pick this year probably ends up as the teams 3^rd TE, but he put up 7 receiving touchdowns in 2 seasons at Stanford.

Well, my choice is an easy on, it Levine Toilolo, who knows Kyle Shanahan’s system, as he played for Falcons for 5 years, including both years Shanahan was offensive coordinator.

Now let’s go to the defensive side of the ball, with the strong-side linebacker spot, which is better known as the SAM linebacker. Now the team doesn’t really use the SAM LB as much as other teams, as they play in their base less than 30% of the time, opting to use their nickel defense, which consists of 4 defensive lineman, just 2 linebackers, and 5 defensive backs.

But, someone will end up being the teams SAM linebacker, so here’s the options, 2017 signee Malcolm Smith, 2018 starting SAM linebacker Mark Nzeocha, and 2019 5^th-rounder Dre Greenlaw.

Now, let’s take a look at each of them.

Smith was pegged as the teams weak-side linebacker back in 2017 before he tore his pec in the offseason, and missed the entire season. He ended up playing in 14 games in 2018, and he recently redid his deal, by eliminating his 2020 and 2021 years, and lowering his base salary down to $1.25 million. He really needs to show that he can stay healthy, and be productive for the 49ers to not just play him, but to keep him, as he doesn’t play special teams, unlike his competition. One thing that’s going for Smith is his versatility, he can play all 3 linebacker spots, something the teams values in their linebackers.

Nzeocha filled in for Smith early on, and played well enough, even though he didn’t see a lot of snaps, but he was a key special teamer, and he offers versatility, as he can play all 3 linebacker spot. If he’s to win the spot, he needs to show he’s more than a backup/special teamer.

Now Greenlaw may be the darkhorse, he’s only 5’11, but a tenacious defender, who was the teams 5^th-rounder this year, and was highly productive at Arkansas. I truly believe Greenlaw, along with Nzeocha will be key special teamers, and are locks for the 2019 roster. Now if Greenlaw wants to be the starter, he needs to show something over the two vets, and like with them, he can play the other 2 linebacker spots.

Now my answer to the question, I’m going with Malcolm Smith for now, but don’t count out Dre Greenlaw.

Next up is the teams other starting cornerback opposite Richard Sherman, with the following vying for the job, 2017 3^rd-rounder Ahkello Witherspoon, and 2019 signee Jason Verrett. Had this been befofe the team started playing Tarvarius Moore at safety he’d be in the mix, but for now, I’m leaving him out.

Now, like with the other positions, let’s take a look at each, and why they could win the spot.

Witherspoon was the teams #2 CB last year, and should have a legit shot at being that again this year. He had a good year in 2017 with 2 picks, but regressed in 2018, as he was consistently getting beaten in coverage, sometimes by 5 yards or more. He needs to show he’s back to his 2017 self in order to be the starter opposite Sherman.

Verrett, the former 1^st-rounder of the then San Diego Chargers, missed all of 2018, but is looking to be the teams starter opposite Sherman. If he’s to do so, he needs to 1. Obviously stay healthy, and 2. Show he’s still one of the best corners in the NFL.

Now, my choice, is Jason Verrett, he’s a former pro bowler, and was one of the best corners in the NFL pre injuries.

Lastly is the free safety spot, which is really up for grabs following the Jimmie Ward injury. The potential starters look to be 2018 3^rd-rounder Tarvarius Moore, 2017 7^th-rounder Adrian Colbert, and 2018 signee Antone Exum Jr., now all 3 have a legit shot at the job now.

Now, let’s take a look all 3 players.

Moore, who was originally converted to a cornerback when he was drafted by the 49ers, is back to playing the spot he played at Southern Miss. He seems like the obvious choice, being it’s his natural spot, and he had the production in college to back it up. But can that production equate to this level.

Colbert, had a very very good 2017 season, where he started at FS after injuries to the likes of Ward, but he regressed in 2018, just not looking like his 2017 self, now if he can revert to his 2017 self, he would definitely be the starter. One reason why he may have regressed, is due to being injured last year.

Now Exum is a wild card in my opinion, he played very well in 2018, he had one of the teams lone 2 interceptions, and played quite a bit when Ward, and Colbert went down with injuries.

Now my choice, it’s Tarvarius Moore, he’s a natural at the single high safety spot.

Well there you have it, I covered the backup QB, top RB, slot WR, #2 TE, starting SAM LB, #2 CB, and starting FS battles, do you have any other battles you guys are looking at? If you do, please let me know, and sound off in the comment section.

About Author

Jason Hurley

Die Hard 49ers fan from New York, been covering the 49ers salary cap since 2005, with several different websites, including NinersNation.com, & the now defunct NinerCapHell, I have a track record of being as accurate as possible, I try to be as thorough as possible, and you can find me on X/Twitter @49erscap, & on Blue Sky App @49erscap.bsky.social.

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