The 49ers report to training camp Friday in what the team is hoping is their first successful campaign since Kyle Shanahan’s arrival in 2017.
There are a slew of position battles that should rage throughout camp, but here’s one player to watch from each position group:
Quarterback: Nick Mullens
Flashes of strong play in 2018 put Mullens into the conversation for the backup quarterback job this season. His limitations as a passer were clear despite strong statistical production overall, and he won’t be able to lean on those stats when winning the backup job this year. Mullens will have to be better in camp if he is going to land the No. 2 quarterback job. The job is Beathard’s to lose if he doesn’t.
Running back: Jerick McKinnon
There are a couple things worth watching with McKinnon. His health is the most important factor for the running back after he tore his ACL a week before the start of the 2018 regular season. How he’s moving in camp will be a vital indicator for his readiness come Week 1 against Tampa Bay. It’ll also be intriguing to see how he’s operating within the 49ers offense and how effective he is as an all-around weapon out of the backfield. He probably won’t see a full workload of snaps early, but the breadth of his responsibilities in training camp will tell a lot about where he fits into a crowded backfield.
Wide receiver: Jalen Hurd
The 49ers have a clear plan for Hurd that involves him being more than just a slot receiver, although he’ll see plenty of action in that spot as a rookie. He may get the bulk of his work at receiver in camp since he’s still relatively new to the position after playing there for just one year in college. His progress at receiver will be important for improving the 49ers’ depth. If Hurd is going to see an expanded role in Year 1 though, we should see some early movement from him in camp.
Tight end: Kaden Smith
There’s a potentially heated battle brewing for the backup tight end spot behind George Kittle, and the sixth-round pick could quickly emerge as a contender. Smith has good size and produced as a receiver and blocker at Stanford. His athleticism lacks quite a bit though, and that could limiting his effectiveness in the NFL. If he can show early in camp that he’s learning the offense quickly, crafty enough to get open when called upon, and an effective red zone target, Smith could make noise in a crowded tight end room.
Offensive line: Joshua Garnett
It’s a make-or-break year for Garnett, who has just 11 starts in his first three seasons, and none since his rookie year. Injuries have kept the former first-round pick from ever getting consistent playing time with the 49ers. Now he has a chance to outplay Mike Person for a starting job and possibly shoehorn his way into the team’s long-term plans at right guard. There’s another scenario where he has a bad camp and his time with San Francisco virtually ends before the season starts.
Defensive tackle: Solomon Thomas
It feels like a make-or-break year from Thomas as well after a disappointing start to his career. Off-field tragedy affected him a season ago and it showed between the lines as his role and effectiveness diminished. He’s said he’s in a better place now mentally, and a more snaps along the interior of the defensive line should give him an uptick in productivity. If Thomas starts playing more like a top-five pick, San Francisco will roll out one of the league’s best defensive lines.
Defensive end: Nick Bosa
There’s no guarantee Bosa even suits up for training camp since he’s yet to sign his rookie deal, and he can’t practice until he does. The No. 2 overall pick was limited by a hamstring injury early in the offseason program, so his work in training camp will be essential. Bosa is going to be a key cog on a 49ers defense that needs to take a massive step forward this season. They’re going to lean heavily on their pass rush to help their pass defense, so seeing what Bosa can do in camp and the preseason is going to be crucial.
Linebacker: Dre Greenlaw
There might not be a more fascinating defensive prospect on the 49ers than Greenlaw. He’s undersized for a traditional off-ball linebacker, but he has a ton of speed and his athleticism should give San Francisco more options in coverage in the middle of the field. There’s no guaranteed starting job for him though, and his ceiling may wind up being a special teams contributor. There’s also a scenario where Greenlaw plays a significant role in the 49ers’ front seven though, and seeing just how much speed he has and whether he can play against the run will be two intriguing areas to watch from him in camp.
Cornerback: Jason Verrett
Verrett was one of just a couple new additions to the 49ers’ secondary. That alone makes the veteran worth keeping an eye on because the starting job across from Richard Sherman is up for grabs. His injury history hasn’t been great though with just 25 games played across five seasons. Verrett’s health is perhaps the biggest question mark on the roster. He might be the team’s best corner if he is healthy, and that would instantly transform the 49ers’ pass defense. San Francisco can’t rely on Verrett because of his injury woes, but his emergence as a viable starter would be welcome.
Safety: Tarvarius Moore
Jimmie Ward’s return may push Moore back to cornerback and make his offseason move to safety and the ensuing analysis of the move all for naught. Moore is a natural free safety though and earned a spot as a third-round pick because of his play there in college. He struggled at corner as a rookie, so a move to safety makes some sense with so few proven players at that position. If Moore plays safety in the NFL like he did in college, he could not only win a starting job, but he would give the 49ers some much-needed help on the back end.
