The 49ers look to wrap up their offseason program with mandatory veteran mini-camp practices on Tuesday and Wednesday in Santa Clara.
Here are five storylines to keep an eye on.
Quarterback competition
After two weeks of OTA practices Trey Lance and Sam Darnold are in a dead heat in the quarterback battle. The only difference so far has been Darnold’s willingness to push the ball downfield more often.
Lance took all the reps with the starting group in week one with Darnold getting his shot with the first unit in week two. With the full team in attendance, it will be interesting to see how the reps are divided up and if either of the two can create separation.
Brock Purdy is ahead of schedule in his return from offseason UCL surgery. The second-year quarterback has been dubbed as the “leader in the clubhouse” by Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. Purdy has already begun throwing a full-size football, and all signs point to him being ready to go week one.
Will the 49ers let him throw in front of the media like they did with Jimmy Garoppolo during training camp last year?
Deebo Samuel
Samuel attended but did not participate in mini-camp last year due to a contract dispute.
The veteran wide also did not participate during the beginning of training camp and then was slowed by injuries during the regular season.
Samuel was in attendance for week two of OTAs, a possible indication that he will be participating this week.
Nick Bosa
The 49ers All-Pro pass rusher finds himself in a situation very similar to that of Samuel last offseason.
Bosa has a history of skipping offseason workouts, choosing instead to prepare in Florida before arriving and participating in mini-camp. His level of involvement throughout the two practices will be something to monitor.
Javon Hargrave
The 49ers made a splash with the signing of Hargrave in free agency. The veteran defensive tackle will make his on-field debut after skipping both weeks of organized team activities.
Linebacker
With Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, the 49ers are set at two of their three starting linebacker spots.
Veterans Oren Burks, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, and Curtis Robinson will compete with second year backer Marcelino McCary-Ball along with rookies Dee Winters and Jalen Graham for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Those are 5 top stories but I’m also curious about the free agents and how they are lining up. Not sure mini camp will be too revealing so I may be ahead of myself but I’d like some clues on what the coaches are thinking on the positional rotations. Isaiah Oliver and Myles Hartfield. Curious where they line up and how they integrate with returning players. I’m really hoping Sam Womack gets a legitimate shot at the slot corner. I feel like he could be a potential star. Also want to see how Clelin Ferrell is used. Curious if he’ll drop inside on passing downs. Then on the O-line how will Pryor and Feliciano fit in with the existing group. Will Pryor get a shot at RT going with the 1s.
One other story I would like to follow is The comp between E Mitchell and J Mason
I think the major competition may be between Tyrion Davis-Price against Laborn. Maybe even Jack Colletto may be so versatile, he could win a roster spot, and TDP may be expendable.
I’m also curious about the undrafted rb khalon. Having seen highlights of him in action, he would make a great backup rb. I hope Danny Gray developes better. We could use his speed to complement Deebo and Brandon. I agree with 1.6 Patriot about Samual Womack. The last time I saw him, he was doing good. They need to get him some playing time.
I hope Bosa shows up. He did not participate in the voluntary workouts last year, preferring to train with his brother in Florida. However, the Chargers wanted Joey Bosa in camp, so Bosa was not training with his brother this year.
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Other storylines and questions-
Can McKivitz replace McGlinchey?
Can Oliver replace Jimmy Ward?
Can Lenoir secure the CB2 spot, or can Thomas or Luter replace Moseley?
Will we have the Moody Blues, or is everything Jake?
Will Wilks be an adequate replacement for Demeco?
Will Latu and Willis make Dwelley and Woerner expendable?
How can Jack Colletto make this team? By his versatility?
Will Ji’Ayir Brown be a third down specialist?
Is this team better than last season’s team?
Seb,
I think they are trying Womack at outside CB also and I bet Colletto ends up on the PS. I think they may see him as Juice’s eventual replacement.
I thought Womack and Oliver were competing for the slot corner position, but you may be right.
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I agree, PS may be his most realistic scenario, but I want him to make the 53.
The veteran wide also did not participate during the beginning of training camp and then was slowed by injuries during the regular season.
I’m curious about Alfredo Gutierrez and Jason Poe. Haven’t seen much of Gutierrez but Poe looked a bowling ball last year. Gutierrez the size, how about skill level?
JACK:
* THE BEST NEWS FROM 9ER OTA’s: Brock Purdy is ahead of schedule in his return from offseason UCL surgery
and throwing 3 times per week.
* the 2ND BEST NEWS FROM 9ER OTA’s: After 2 weeks of OTA practices Trey Lance and Sam Darnold are in a dead
heat in the quarterback battle. The more competition at QB, the better.