With the season less than 100 days away, I thought it’d be a good time to take a look at the 49ers key training camp battles.
I think it’s safe to assume that most of the 49ers roster, pending injuries, is pretty much set, below are the players who are either locks, or guys who should make the team, baring bad play in the preseason.
QBs Jimmy Garoppolo, & Trey Lance, RBs Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, Wayne Gallman Jr., & Elijah Mitchell, FB Kyle Juszyzck, WRs Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Trent Sherfield, Richie James Jr., & Jalen Hurd, TEs George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, & Charlie Woerner, Cs Alex Mack & Daniel Brunskill, LGs Laken Tomlinson & Colton McKivitz, RG Aaron Banks, LTs Trent Williams, & Jaylon Moore, RT Mike McGlinchey, DEs Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Samson Ebukam, & Arden Key, DTs Javon Kinlaw, & Maurice Hurst Jr., NTs D.J. Jones, & Zach Kerr, LBs Fred Warner & Dre Greenlaw, CBs Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Ambry Thomas, & Deommodore Lenoir, FSs Jimmie Ward & Tarvarius Moore, SSs Jaquiski Tartt, Marcell Harris, & Talanoa Hufanga, PK Robbie Gould, P Mitch Wishnowsky, & LS Taybor Pepper.
Also RB Jeff Wilson Jr., & DE Dee Ford will be on the team, Wilson likely begins the season on PUP, and Ford could begin on the 53, or on short term IR or even PUP.
I have 46 players locked into roster spots, again baring bad play or injuries, so let’s look at the 49ers key camp battles.
3rd Quarterback:
The competition for the 3rd QB is now down to Nate Sudfeld, who the 49ers brought in from the Eagles, gave him $252,000 of his base salary guaranteed, and Josh Rosen, who the 49ers signed off of the Buccaneers practice squad last season.
Now, just because Sudfeld has that $252,000 guarantee doesn’t mean he’s locked into a spot, since that’s exactly what Sudfeld would make on the teams practice squad, $14,000 a week for 18 weeks, but also Rosen isn’t a lock either, as the former top 10 pick in 2018 draft has yet to show that he has the IT factor to be an NFL quarterback, so this is really a toss up right now, I think comes down to whoever looks best in preseason.
6th Wide Receiver:
The list of candidates for the 6th WR spot is lengthy, with the likes of 2020 7th-rounder Jauan Jennings, 2020 opt-out Travis Benjamin, veteran Mohamed Sanu Sr., former Bears 1st-round pick Kevin White, River Cracraft, 2021 UDFA Austin Watkins Jr., and recent signees Bennie Fowler & Andy Jones all in the mix, but to be honest, the only ones who have a legit shot at winning the 6th WR spot are Jennings, Benjamin, and Sanu, with Watkins being a darkhorse candidate, but he seems more destined for the practice squad.
4th Tight End:
If the team decides to keep 4 tight ends, they’ll have just two to choose from, 2021 UDFA Josh Pederson, and recently signed MyCole Pruitt, who has a 74.4% pass blocking rating per PFF, and we know Kyle usually keeps 4 TEs, I haven’t had 4 in any projection because no one else behind Kittle, Dwelley, & Woerner seemed like a legit candidate, but Pruitt is the only player with a legit chance.
With that said, the team could always bring in more competition, they worked out former 49er Delanie Walker on Wednesday, but no reports of him being signed.
9th Offensive Lineman:
The team will for sure keep 8 offensive lineman, but they could also keep a 9th, plus 2-3 on the practice squad, but with the likes of Trent Williams, Alex Mack, Aaron Banks, Laken Tomlinson, Mike McGlinchey, Colton KcKivitz, Jaylon Moore, and Daniel Brunskill all as locks.
So that leaves the potential 9th lineman down to the following, Center Jake Brendel, Guards Will Compton, Dakoda Shepley, & Isaiah Williams, and Tackles Shon Coleman, Justin Skule, & Corbin Kaufusi, but of these guys, the only ones with a legit shot are Compton, Coleman, & Skule, and I believe it comes down to Coleman or Skule.
I think the battle will likely be for the Swing Tackle spot, while McKivitz, Moore, & even Brunskill can play Tackle, the team probably wants someone with more experience, so that’s where Coleman & Skule come in, no they don’t have a ton of experience, but they have some, Coleman played a couple seasons in Cleveland, while Skule has played the past 2 seasons with the 49ers, where he’s been used at both Tackle spots, and Right Guard.
5th EDGE rusher/Defensive End:
As of now, this really is a one man race, it’s Jordan Willis’ to lose, so unless he looks awful, or Dee Ford is healthy enough, Willis should be on the opening day 53-man roster, as the only other EDGE rushers on the roster are Alex Barrett, & Daeshon Hall, with one of them likely heading to the practice squad.
The 49ers could also look to add a veteran, someone like Melvin Ingram is available, but with limited cap room, it’s not known if they can afford him, as he may want good money, after all Jadeveon Clowney got a 1yr $8 million deal with the Browns, an amount the 49ers just can’t offer, especially with Fred Warner looking to get a new deal this offseason.
Now, if Kevin Givens is acquitted, and doesn’t face jail time, then he’s a lock to make the 53, making someone like Willis potentially having to fight for a spot big time.
Backup Linebackers:
The team has a great duo in my opinion in Fred Warner, & Dre Greenlaw, but the team does lack quality depth, also it’s unknown how many linebackers they will keep, they kept as many as 6 last season, but with guys like Marcell Harris, & Talanoa Hufanga looking like they can play the hybrid S/LB role, we could see the 49ers opt for just 4 true linebackers.
If they do opt for just 4, then that leaves just 2 open spots, with the likes of Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, James Burgess, Nathan Gerry, Jonas Griffith, Elijah Sullivan, Azeez Al-Shaair, & Justin Hilliard battling it out for those 2 spots.
Al-Shaair was the starting strongside linebacker last year, while Flannigan-Fowles played a bit, mostly on special teams, while the team added 2 veterans in Gerry, & recently Burgess, while they also added coveted UDFAs Sullivan & Hilliard, and still have last years UDFA Griffith.
I would say Al-Shaair would be the most likely of these players to be locked in, as he played a good amount of snaps, while also being a good special teams player.
As for the 4th linebacker spot, with vets in Gerry & Burgess added, it could be down to one of them, or both if they keep 5 linebackers, but don’t be surprised if Hilliard makes a push, as it was Nick Bosa, Hilliard’s former teammate at Ohio State, who told the 49ers brass that they had to get him, and they did as a UDFA, guaranteeing him $125,000, same with Sullivan.
6th Cornerback:
Last season the team carried as many as 6 corners during the regular season, so it’s possible that the 49ers keep 6 again, with the likes of veteran Dontae Johnson, Tim Harris Jr., Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Ken Webster, Mark Fields II, and even versatile safety/cornerback Jared Mayden battling it out.
Now of these guys, I think Johnson would have the lead, he played well in the slot when K’Waun Williams was hurt, and is a good special teams player, but the team really needs to take a look at potential free agents, Bashaud Breeland, and Richard Sherman are still unsigned.
My darkhorse is Mayden, he can play both Safety spots, Cornerback, and be a great special teamer.
So, if I had to pick for these battles, I think I’d go with the following.
Nate Sudfeld at the 3rd QB, Jauan Jennings as the 6th WR, MyCole Pruitt as the 4th TE, Shon Coleman as the 9th OL, Jordan Willis as the 5th EDGE, Azeez Al-Shaair at SLB, either Nathan Gerry or James Burgess at the 4th LB,
I could see the 49ers keeping Dontae Johnson as the teams potential 6
With the season less than 100 days away, I thought it’d be a good time to take a look at the 49ers key training camp battles.
I think it’s safe to assume that most of the 49ers roster, pending injuries, is pretty much set, below are the players who are either locks, or guys who should make the team, baring bad play in the preseason.
QBs Jimmy Garoppolo, & Trey Lance, RBs Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, Wayne Gallman Jr., & Elijah Mitchell, FB Kyle Juszyzck, WRs Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Trent Sherfield, Richie James Jr., & Jalen Hurd, TEs George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, & Charlie Woerner, Cs Alex Mack & Daniel Brunskill, LGs Laken Tomlinson & Colton McKivitz, RG Aaron Banks, LTs Trent Williams, & Jaylon Moore, RT Mike McGlinchey, DEs Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Samson Ebukam, & Arden Key, DTs Javon Kinlaw, & Maurice Hurst Jr., NTs D.J. Jones, & Zach Kerr, LBs Fred Warner & Dre Greenlaw, CBs Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Ambry Thomas, & Deommodore Lenoir, FSs Jimmie Ward & Tarvarius Moore, SSs Jaquiski Tartt, Marcell Harris, & Talanoa Hufanga, PK Robbie Gould, P Mitch Wishnowsky, & LS Taybor Pepper.
Also RB Jeff Wilson Jr., & DE Dee Ford will be on the team, Wilson likely begins the season on PUP, and Ford could begin on the 53, or on short term IR or even PUP.
I have 46 players locked into roster spots, again baring bad play or injuries, so let’s look at the 49ers key camp battles.
3rd Quarterback:
The competition for the 3rd QB is now down to Nate Sudfeld, who the 49ers brought in from the Eagles, gave him $252,000 of his base salary guaranteed, and Josh Rosen, who the 49ers signed off of the Buccaneers practice squad last season.
Now, just because Sudfeld has that $252,000 guarantee doesn’t mean he’s locked into a spot, since that’s exactly what Sudfeld would make on the teams practice squad, $14,000 a week for 18 weeks, but also Rosen isn’t a lock either, as the former top 10 pick in 2018 draft has yet to show that he has the IT factor to be an NFL quarterback, so this is really a toss up right now, I think comes down to whoever looks best in preseason.
6th Wide Receiver:
The list of candidates for the 6th WR spot is lengthy, with the likes of 2020 7th-rounder Jauan Jennings, 2020 opt-out Travis Benjamin, veteran Mohamed Sanu Sr., former Bears 1st-round pick Kevin White, River Cracraft, 2021 UDFA Austin Watkins Jr., and recent signees Bennie Fowler & Andy Jones all in the mix, but to be honest, the only ones who have a legit shot at winning the 6th WR spot are Jennings, Benjamin, and Sanu, with Watkins being a darkhorse candidate, but he seems more destined for the practice squad.
4th Tight End:
If the team decides to keep 4 tight ends, they’ll have just two to choose from, 2021 UDFA Josh Pederson, and recently signed MyCole Pruitt, who has a 74.4% pass blocking rating per PFF, and we know Kyle usually keeps 4 TEs, I haven’t had 4 in any projection because no one else behind Kittle, Dwelley, & Woerner seemed like a legit candidate, but Pruitt is the only player with a legit chance.
With that said, the team could always bring in more competition, they worked out former 49er Delanie Walker on Wednesday, but no reports of him being signed.
9th Offensive Lineman:
The team will for sure keep 8 offensive lineman, but they could also keep a 9th, plus 2-3 on the practice squad, but with the likes of Trent Williams, Alex Mack, Aaron Banks, Laken Tomlinson, Mike McGlinchey, Colton KcKivitz, Jaylon Moore, and Daniel Brunskill all as locks.
So that leaves the potential 9th lineman down to the following, Center Jake Brendel, Guards Will Compton, Dakoda Shepley, & Isaiah Williams, and Tackles Shon Coleman, Justin Skule, & Corbin Kaufusi, but of these guys, the only ones with a legit shot are Compton, Coleman, & Skule, and I believe it comes down to Coleman or Skule.
I think the battle will likely be for the Swing Tackle spot, while McKivitz, Moore, & even Brunskill can play Tackle, the team probably wants someone with more experience, so that’s where Coleman & Skule come in, no they don’t have a ton of experience, but they have some, Coleman played a couple seasons in Cleveland, while Skule has played the past 2 seasons with the 49ers, where he’s been used at both Tackle spots, and Right Guard.
5th EDGE rusher/Defensive End:
As of now, this really is a one man race, it’s Jordan Willis’ to lose, so unless he looks awful, or Dee Ford is healthy enough, Willis should be on the opening day 53-man roster, as the only other EDGE rushers on the roster are Alex Barrett, & Daeshon Hall, with one of them likely heading to the practice squad.
The 49ers could also look to add a veteran, someone like Melvin Ingram is available, but with limited cap room, it’s not known if they can afford him, as he may want good money, after all Jadeveon Clowney got a 1yr $8 million deal with the Browns, an amount the 49ers just can’t offer, especially with Fred Warner looking to get a new deal this offseason.
Backup Linebackers:
The team has a great duo in my opinion in Fred Warner, & Dre Greenlaw, but the team does lack quality depth, also it’s unknown how many linebackers they will keep, they kept as many as 6 last season, but with guys like Marcell Harris, & Talanoa Hufanga looking like they can play the hybrid S/LB role, we could see the 49ers opt for just 4 true linebackers.
If they do opt for just 4, then that leaves just 2 open spots, with the likes of Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, James Burgess, Nathan Gerry, Jonas Griffith, Elijah Sullivan, Azeez Al-Shaair, & Justin Hilliard battling it out for those 2 spots.
Al-Shaair was the starting strongside linebacker last year, while Flannigan-Fowles played a bit, mostly on special teams, while the team added 2 veterans in Gerry, & recently Burgess, while they also added coveted UDFAs Sullivan & Hilliard, and still have last years UDFA Griffith.
I would say Al-Shaair would be the most likely of these players to be locked in, as he played a good amount of snaps, while also being a good special teams player.
As for the 4th linebacker spot, with vets in Gerry & Burgess added, it could be down to one of them, or both if they keep 5 linebackers, but don’t be surprised if Hilliard makes a push, as it was Nick Bosa, Hilliard’s former teammate at Ohio State, who told the 49ers brass that they had to get him, and they did as a UDFA, guaranteeing him $125,000, same with Sullivan.
6th Cornerback:
Last season the team carried as many as 6 corners during the regular season, so it’s possible that the 49ers keep 6 again, with the likes of veteran Dontae Johnson, Tim Harris Jr., Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Ken Webster, Mark Fields II, and even versatile safety/cornerback Jared Mayden battling it out.
Now of these guys, I think Johnson would have the lead, he played well in the slot when K’Waun Williams was hurt, and is a good special teams player, but the team really needs to take a look at potential free agents, Bashaud Breeland, and Richard Sherman are still unsigned.
My darkhorse is Mayden, he can play both Safety spots, Cornerback, and be a great special teamer.
So, if I had to pick for these battles, I think I’d go with the following.
Nate Sudfeld at the 3rd QB, Jauan Jennings as the 6th WR, MyCole Pruitt as the 4th TE, Shon Coleman as the 9th OL, Jordan Willis as the 5th EDGE, Azeez Al-Shaair at SLB, either Nathan Gerry or James Burgess at the 4th LB,
I could see the 49ers keeping Dontae Johnson as the teams potential 6th CB.
But again, don’t sleep on the likes of Travis Benjamin, Austin Watkins Jr., Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Justin Hilliard, & Jared Mayden, but also don’t sleep on them signing a veteran EDGE and/or CB.
If Givens is indeed acquitted, and not suspended, then I’d have him over Willis, or potentially have 10 DL if Dee Ford is ready, but for now, until we know for sure, I’m gonna assume the NFL will suspend him 2-4 games.
So with all of this said, I thank everyone for reading this long, and exhausting article, as always you can follow me on Twitter @49erscap, or leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.
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