The 2019 training camp was a crucial one for the 49ers as they aim to get back into playoff contention. It’s still early in the process, but several players have stood out in practice enough to emerge as winners to this point.
Some of the wins are injury related, but others are performance based with several players fighting for a spot on the final roster.
Here are seven winners from 49ers camp so far:
LB Kwon Alexander
It wasn’t going to take a ton for Alexander to chalk up his training camp as a victory. The fact he was active right away and taking first-team reps without his repaired ACL holding him back has been a great sign for his prospects of playing Week 1. Getting on the field for the start of the regular season would be extremely impressive for a player who tore his ACL late last October.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
While it hasn’t been a sparkling performance from Garoppolo in camp, he’s made enough plays to warrant some optimism that his return will dramatically improve the 49ers’ offense. His ACL tear last year isn’t keeping him out of any action, and he’s yet to throw an interception in team drills. This camp was all about getting Garoppolo back up to full speed by the start of the regular season. He appears on track for that based on the first couple weeks of camp.
CB Jason Verrett
This is another injury-related win. Verrett is still limited as he returns from a torn Achilles late last June. He was first in line to take first-team reps when Ahkello Witherspoon went down with an injury, and he’s performed well when he is taking snaps. There are still a few hurdles for him before he’s ready to start regular season games and a lot of camp to go. What matters now is he’s on track to get somewhere close to the Pro Bowl form he captured in 2015.
QB Nick Mullens
It looked like CJ Beathard had the leg up on Mullens for the No. 2 quarterback job going into camp. However, a poor performance by Beathard and some standout play from Mullens may have flipped the script. Mullens undoubtedly has the upper hand based on their regular season play, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said they were even going into the year. Mullens has the leg up now if that was the case.
WR Trent Taylor
Taylor was probably going to land on the roster if he had an even average camp. The third-year slot receiver has shown in camp why he’s a potentially dangerous weapon for the 49ers though. He was hampered following offseason back surgery last year, and his performance suffered because of it. All reports indicate he is playing at a higher level than he was as a rookie. He’s probably a lock to make the roster and contribute in a big way in 2019.
WR Richie James
James was on the outside looking in at a roster spot when training camp started. It’s a crowded WR group with several high draft picks. The second-year, seventh-round pick has flashed some big-play ability in camp according to reports. That should launch him into the conversation to stick around for the regular season. James was disappointing last year, but in camp this year has been a versatile, explosive receiver who can also contribute as a returner.
LB Dre Greenlaw
The knocks on Greenlaw in the draft were his lack of size and his underwhelming workout numbers. The 49ers saw a much better athlete on film than his workouts showed, so they selected Greenlaw out of Arkansas in the fifth round. He’s already getting first-team reps. San Francisco had an opening at strong side linebacker and Greenlaw looks like the top candidate to fill it. There’s a lot of camp to go, but a fifth-round pick standing out early is a very good sign.
