The 49ers begin organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday, and most of the 82 81 players on their roster are expected to participate.
Here is a quick look at every position:
QUARTERBACKS (5 now; 3 or 4 keepers on 53-man roster)
13 Shaun Hill: It’s not always pretty, but you can’t argue with the results from his small sample of starts.
11 Alex Smith: After his last healthy season, everybody seemed convinced he was going to be a pretty good starter. Niners are still convinced.
14 Damon Huard: Signed as the third man, he has thrived as spot starter throughout NFL career.
7 Nate Davis: There is no rush to get him ready; if 49ers like what they see, they’ll find a way to keep him on 53-man roster.
9 Kirby Freeman: Started just eight games in his college career, which concluded at Baylor after three seasons at ). Freeman was waived today.
RUNNING BACKS (7 now; 4 or 5 keepers)
21 Frank Gore: Coach Mike Singletary wants offense to resemble ’06, when Gore rushed for 1,695 yards.
44 Moran Norris: He is back, with a fatter contract, after spending most of last season in exile with Lions.
29 Glen Coffee: Powerful, one-cut runner was brought in take some of Frank Gore’s workload.
24 Michael Robinson: Backfield is crowded, but he is still valuable because of versatility and special teams.
30 Kory Sheets: Speedster did not get endorsement from Purdue coaches and went undrafted.
33 Thomas Clayton: Team’s leading rusher past two preseasons with combined 386 yards on 87 rushes (4.4 avg).
45 Zak Keasey: Stuck on roster last season because he was a better fit for the style Mike Martz brought to team.
RECEIVERS (11 now; 5 or 6 keepers)
15 Michael Crabtree: His on-field debut is scheduled for training camp after offseason foot surgery.
88 Isaac Bruce: Soft-spoken vet lets his exemplary performance and work ethic talk for him.
84 Josh Morgan: Even with Crabtree playing his spot, he should work into a position to get ample playing time.
81
89 Jason Hill: Third-round pick of ’07 showed some good flashes when he finally got chance to play.
83 Arnaz
17 Dominique Zeigler: Sure-handed practice-squad grad caught five passes late in season after getting promotion.
18 Micheal Spurlock: His claim to fame is he became first player in T.B. Bucs history to return kickoff for TD.
19 Mark Bradford: Stanford product spent final seven weeks on 49ers practice squad.
10 Maurice Price: Had cups of coffee on the active rosters of the Chiefs and Patriots in ’08 but did not play.
82 Dobson Collins: Caught 76 passes for 937 yards and 10 TDs as senior at Gardner-Webb.
TIGHT ENDS (4 now; 3 keepers)
85
46 Delanie Walker: When paired with
48 Bear Pascoe: He has a lot of versatility, but his easiest path for playing time will be as blocking specialist.
49 J.J. Finley: Former high-school QB spent all 17 weeks on the practice squad as a rookie.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (14 now; 10 keepers)
74 Joe Staley (LT): Has not missed a snap in two seasons, and looks to be the team’s building block on the offensive line.
64 David Baas (LG): Was the No. 33 overall pick in ’05 draft, but has yet to hold starting job for an entire season.
66 Eric Heitmann (C): Size, strength and smarts are main reasons he’s been team’s best O-lineman.
62 Chilo Rachal (RG): Singletary’s pet project took over after coaching change and showed steady improvement.
71 Marvel Smith (RT): Former Pro Bowl player was signed to a low-risk contract because of injury concerns.
68 Adam Snyder: Versatility is his strength, and club would like him as insurance policy.
69 Tony Wragge: Dependable guard didn’t lose starting job as much as team wanted Rachal to get his chance.
59 Cody Wallace: As long as Heitmann is around and healthy, it’ll be difficult for Wallace to get into uniform on game days.
65 Barry Sims: At this point in his career, he’s probably as a stop-gap measure at either tackle spot.
77 Jacob Bender: Picked off Patriots’ practice squad for final six weeks, but did not see action with 49ers.
75 Alex Boone: Prototypical right tackle will get a chance after off-field issues were reason he went undrafted.
61 Joe
76 Kyle Howard: Three-year starter at
78 Matthew Huners: Won
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (9 now; 5 or 6 keepers)
94 Justin Smith (RE): Signed big-money deal in ’08, and he tirelessly earned every penny as team MVP.
90 Isaac Sopoaga (NT): Just a guess here, but I’m thinking his best fit is nose tackle after starting at left end in ’08.
93 Demetric Evans (LE): If he does not start, he’ll fit into rotation while setting great example.
92 Aubrayo
96 Kentwan Balmer: Determined to make amends for rookie year, he has dropped body fat by four percent.
95 Ricky Jean-Francois: If ends up playing as well as he talks, he will be a big help to the defensive line.
91 Ray McDonald: Club his expecting a return in training camp after offseason surgery to reconstruct ACL in right knee.
60 Khalif Mitchell: Got a lot of action at the rookies minicamp at nose tackle.
67 Pannel Egboh: If he can show he has ability to rush the passer, he has a chance to stick around.
LINEBACKERS (12 now; 8 keepers)
98 Parys Haralson (OLB): Gotten better every season, so club gave him a nice contract extension through 2013.
51 Takeo Spikes (ILB): Respected vet enjoyed his first year with 49ers so much, he campaigned for a second year.
52 Patrick Willis (ILB): Fantastic athletic skills coupled with blue-collar work ethic make him one of best in biz.
99 Manny Lawson (OLB): His success at rushing passer might ultimately determine the defense’s success.
56 Scott McKillop: The 49ers were giddy when they landed this gritty player on the second day of the draft.
53 Jeff Ulbrich: Hard to believe he won’t find a way to stick around and help the team.
54 Marques Harris: Ex-Chargers backup adds pass-rush skills to thin outside linebacker group.
58 Jay Moore: Spent first two seasons rehabbing after landing on IR due to camp injuries.
50 Justin Roland: Was a member of Texans practice squad for several weeks last season.
55 Ahmad Brooks: Suited up for one game but did not play; pass-rush skills will be tested.
47 Diyral Briggs: Led the Mid-American Conference with 9.5 sacks, and will have an opportunity to show his stuff.
57 Mark Washington: Originally signed by 49ers in ’07, Dolphins plucked him off practice squad to play in three games.
DEFENSIVE BACKS (15 now; 10 keepers)
22 Nate Clements (LCB): Forget about the contract, he is a very good all-around corner.
27 Walt Harris (RCB): Showing signs of slowing down, but is still probably best option.
38 Dashon Goldson (FS): In need of playmaking at this spot, the 49ers turn to the third-year player.
32 Michael Lewis (SS): He has done what he’s been asked, Lewis has been among leading team’s tackle leaders both years.
25 Tarell Brown: Niners have taken it slowly with draft pick, but he should get ample shot to contribute more.
31 Reggie Smith: Spent rookie season as backup corner, made the switch to safety this offseason.
36 Shawntae Spencer: After two injury-plagued years, will be hard-pressed to hold onto No. 3 job.
26 Mark Roman: No takers after he was granted permission to seek trade; could be insurance if Goldson falters.
23 Marcus Hudson: It’s not a good sign that his playing time has diminished each of first three NFL seasons.
28 Curtis Taylor: He looks like a linebacker, and will be asked to take Keith Lewis’ role on special teams.
41 Jimmy Williams: Out of league a year ago, he must prove quickly he has what it takes to play safety.
30 Terrail Lambert: A three-year starter at Notre Dame, he recorded four career interceptions.
35 Jahi Word-Daniels: His best season was ’07 as a junior when he had 56 tackles, two picks and eight passes defensed.
43 Lewis Baker: He’s back after he missed most of training camp last summer with a thigh injury.
40 Carlos Thomas: Will get involved in tough competition at bottom part of roster for a spot on practice squad.
SPECIALISTS (5 now; 4 keepers)
6 Joe Nedney (K): Most accurate kicker in team history signed a contract extension through 2011.
4 Andy Lee (P): One of best in the game is scheduled to make $1 million annually through 2012.
86 Brian Jennings (LS): Always so darn good, it was shocking to see him a little off his game last season.
20 Allen Rossum (RS): Team was eager to bring back veteran after he showed home-run ability on kickoffs and punts.
3 Alex Romero: Will serve as backup kicker and punter in camp to save a spot on 80-man roster.
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The 49ers open organized team activities on Monday, and most of the team is expected to attend these voluntary workouts. The only mandatory minicamp of the offseason is scheduled for June 5-7 – at the end of the second week of OTAs.
Each team is allowed 14 sessions of work during OTAs. Here is the 49ers’ schedule: May 18-21, June 1-2, June 8-11, June 15-16. These workouts are closed to the public.
The 49ers have not announced the official start of training camp, but we can assume it will open Thursday July 30. Teams are allowed to open camp 15 days before the start of their exhibition season. The 49ers’ exhibition opener is Friday, Aug. 14 at home against the Broncos.
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