The 49ers going into training camp have a few certainties on their roster. Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback and Fred Warner at linebacker for example. What’ll matter more in camp are the players who aren’t sure things.
There are a host of 49ers who need to shine in camp to either earn roster spots or starting jobs. Here are seven players in need of strong showings in this year’s camp:
WR Dante Pettis
Pettis didn’t get an offseason to work his way out of the hole he fell into last season. His second season was a dud after a strong rookie campaign, and he finished 2019 with just 11 catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Eventually he was pushed out of the wide receiver rotation and was a healthy scratch for the Super Bowl. There are plenty of opportunities this year for Pettis to earn snaps. If he doesn’t play his way into a role, he could play his way off the team.
DL Javon Kinlaw
The 49ers don’t need Kinlaw to be DeForest Buckner right away, but a good showing from the rookie in camp would be a welcome sight for San Francisco. Their defensive line spearheaded much of their success last year and Kinlaw is tasked with replacing one of their best players along that front. If he’s a star in camp the way Nick Bosa was as a rookie last season, San Francisco will be in good shape.
WR Brandon Aiyuk
Aiyuk is another rookie who’ll be thrust into a bigger role early with Deebo Samuel dealing with a foot injury. The No. 25 overall pick got some work in during player-organized offseason workouts, but those won’t compare to what he’ll do in training camp. If he shines in camp it’ll eliminate some of the looming questions about the 49ers’ receiving corps.
CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Emmanuel Moseley is the presumed starter entering camp on the opposite side of Richard Sherman. Witherspoon will have a chance to regain the starting job though. We’ve seen Witherspoon play at a Pro Bowl-caliber level during his three-year career. If he does that throughout camp — he could either steal back that starting spot or give San Francisco a much better depth option than they figured to take into the year.
RB Jerick McKinnon
The 49ers have a strong backfield duo with Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman. McKinnon’s return to prominence could give them a trio of weapons each with a little different role in the offense. The passing game is where McKinnon will really shine for San Francisco. He’s an excellent pass catcher who can split out wide and get open like a receiver with his route running. It’s going to take a very good camp for McKinnon to make his way into a prominent role though. He’s battled knee injuries the last two years and will need to prove he’s capable of producing at a high level.
DE Dion Jordan
Jordan doesn’t need to hit the ceiling set for him when he was selected No. 3 overall in the 2013 NFL draft. He does need to provide value as a situational pass rusher though. There’s no expectation Jordan will step in and post double-digit sacks, but if he can step in in camp and flash the ability to be a disruptive player for 15-20 snaps per game he’ll quickly find his way into a regular role on the defensive line. The 49ers aren’t heavily invested in him though, so the onus is on Jordan to show off his value for the reigning NFC champions.
WR Kendrick Bourne
It’s hard to envision a scenario where Bourne isn’t featured as at least the No. 3 receiver in San Francisco’s offense. There’s an opportunity for him to carve out an even larger role though. Bourne will likely be the most experienced 49ers receiver in camp, and he should get plenty of reps as one of the top two receivers. A huge training camp showing would bode well for Bourne growing out of the third-down and red-zone target role he took on last year.
