The 49ers didn’t have a huge draft class in 2020. They used five picks in the draft, then signed 10 undrafted free agents. A limited in-person offseason that’s going to get shorter before it gets longer is going to make it difficult to integrate those rookies and get them acclimated to the professional level. That means San Francisco may need to lean a little more on some of their veterans as they head into training camp.
Here are six veterans that stand out as needing strong camp showings to either solidify their role or earn a spot on the roster:
RB Jerick McKinnon
McKinnon needs a big camp for a couple reasons. After missing the last two years with a knee injury, his contract was restructured to reduce his price tag and make him a free agent after this season. If he can’t perform in camp, he’s unlikely to make the 49ers’ roster, and could be short on chances from other clubs. However, if he plays well and has a productive year — he could revive a career that was momentarily derailed by injury. A healthy McKinnon could be a pretty crucial piece of the 49ers’ offense.
OL Tom Compton
There weren’t many outside free agent signings for the 49ers this offseason. Compton was one of them after the club released starting right guard Mike Person. While San Francisco has an opening at right guard, they have a slew of players who can fill that vacancy. Compton will be in the competition for that spot, and if he plays well he could provide an upgrade for the 49ers’ roster at a position where experience is currently lacking.
WR Dante Pettis
It’s a make-or-break year for Pettis, who fell so far out of the coaching staff’s good graces that he was inactive for the Super Bowl and didn’t take a snap after Week 12. That dramatically reduces his margin for error in camp this year. If he plays well — he’ll make the team and have a role. If he doesn’t — it’s very likely the team moves on from the 2018 second-round pick. With Deebo Samuel slated to be out for training camp, Pettis will get plenty of opportunities to step back into the role he took on late in a successful rookie season.
CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Witherspoon is in a similar spot to Pettis, but the 49ers probably aren’t deep enough at corner to outright cut Witherspoon for a bad training camp. He’s also been good enough at times across his first three years to justify keeping him even if his 2020 camp isn’t stellar. The starting cornerback job across from Richard Sherman is Emmanuel Moseley’s to lose going into camp. If Witherspoon performs at a high level though — he immediately puts himself back into the argument to start. With backup nickel corner DJ Reed out with a torn pectoral, it’s imperative the 49ers get something out of Witherspoon to bolster their depth in the secondary.
WR Travis Benjamin
With so much invested at wide receiver, the 49ers may not have room for a player like Benjamin. He’s 30-years old and played in just 17 games the last two seasons with 18 catches, 216 yards and one touchdown. He brings an element of speed San Francisco’s receiving corps lacks with Marquise Goodwin gone, but they’ve put a ton of draft capital into the receiver spot. That means Benjamin is going to need a really strong camp to stand out and earn a job over some of the team’s recent draft picks.
DL Solomon Thomas
Getting a surprise breakout year from Thomas in Year 4 would be huge for the 49ers. They didn’t pick up his fifth-year option, so this could be Thomas’ final year in red and gold. He’ll get plenty of opportunities both on the edge and inside. If Thomas plays well — he’s a versatile piece who adds a ton of value to the rotation. If he doesn’t play well — he’s probably on a relatively limited snap count and minimally effective when the 49ers could use some depth help on the interior.
