The 49ers veteran will report to team headquarters in Santa Clara on Tuesday. The first training camp practice of the 2023 season will take place on Wednesday.
Now is the perfect time to second-guess how the 53-man Roster will change.
Quarterbacks: (3) Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, Sam Darnold
Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch called Purdy “the leader of the clubhouse” at an owners meeting in late March. The second-year quarterback appears to be recovering early from UCL surgery, but the team has no word yet.
Shanahan also left the door open to the possibility of Lance getting the starting job. The former No. 3 pick has spent the offseason working with a new quarterbacks coach in hopes of realizing his massive potential.
Barring a trade, Darnold is expected to be Brandon Allen’s third quarterback.
Running Backs: (4) Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Ty Davis-Price
McCaffrey is the undisputed starter. His presence has helped the 49ers open up their offense in the second half of 2022.
After McCaffrey, Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell will compete for the second guard spot. Mason took over the “closer” role later this year in the absence of Mitchell. Mitchell is an excellent defender; however, he only played 16 of 34 regular-season games in his first two seasons.
Meanwhile, Ty Davis-Price needs to fend off rookies Karan Labone and Ronald Awat to stay on the roster.
Linebacker: (1) Kyle Uzczyk
Yuzczyk has already locked the roster. The only question is whether his versatility gives the 49ers the ability to keep three Tight Ends on the roster.
Wide receivers: (6) Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, Danny Gray, Ronnie Bell (right)
One to four are set.
Danny Gray and rookie Ronnie Bell will compete with Ty Martin, Chris Conley and Willie Snead IV for the final two roster spots. Gray brings speed, while Bell has shown the ability to grab the ball and get over the middle on offseason programming.
Martin and Snead IV ended up on the practice squad.
Tight Ends: (4) George Kittle, Cameron Latour (right), Brayden Willis (right), Ross Devery,
Cameron Latu fills the position of inside blocking tight end previously filled by Charlie Woerner, while Willis replaces Ross Dwelley as mobile tight end.
De Vely was on the team because of his ability to play special teams, but he’d look weird if the team decided to go with just three tight ends.
Offensive Line: (8) Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jack Blundell, Spencer Burford, Colton McKivitz, Jon Feliciano, Nick Zakeli, Matt Pryor
San Francisco returns four starters from last season.
Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel and Spencer Burford are all first-year starters looking to use their experience to improve in 2022. Colton McKiewicz appears to be the candidate to replace Mike McGlinch at right tackle.
Jon Feliciano and Matt Pryor add experience to the starters. The 49ers believe Nick Zakelj’s future lies inside, but he played tackle in college and can slide to the perimeter if needed.
Defensive line: (9) Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Hargrave, Derek Jackson, Javon Kinlaw, Kevin Givens, Claryn Ferrell, Kalia Davis, Robert Beal Jr. (right)
Derek Jackson will replace Samson Ebkam as the starting defensive end against Nick Bosa. Clarin Ferrell could start either on the perimeter or inside, adding depth to both spots on the defensive line.
New addition Javon Hargrave has played more than 660 games in each of the past four seasons. That, along with Ferrell, leaves the 49ers with one less interior defensive lineman on the active roster.
Kerry Hyde Jr. and Austin Bryant ended up as outsiders thanks to the special team ability of rookie Robert Beal Jr. The pair joined veteran TY McGill and undrafted free agent Spencer Weig as candidates for the practice squad.
Defenders: (5) Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Oren Burks, Marcelino McClary-Bauer, Dee Winters (right),
San Francisco is the linebacker.
Burks is a special teams ace who can start. Marcelino McClary-Bauer had a stellar rookie camp campaign and looked to improve during offseason practices this spring. He joins rookie Dee Winters on the roster.
Veteran Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles was traded late in training camp, while veteran Curtis Robinson and rookie Jaylen Graham were on the practice squad.
Cornerbacks: (6) Chavarius Ward, Deomodore Lenoir, Isaiah Oliver, Samuel Womack, Darrell Lute Jr. (right), DeShaun Jamison
Ward and Lenoir are solid starters, while Isaiah Oliver provides an upgrade on top of Jimmy Ward as a starting five.
Both Samuel Womack and rookie Darrell Lute Jr. have the ability to play inside or outside.
The 49ers seemed to lose faith in Embry Thomas last year, replacing them with undrafted rookie free agent DeShaun Jamison. Jamison made progress in OTAs and minicamps. He took Thomas off the list.
Safeties: (4) Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson, George Odum, Ji’Ayir Brown (right)
There are no surprises here. Gipson will let Brown push the steals first. Odum is the trump card of the Special Forces.
Experts: (3) Jack Moody (right), Mitchell Wishnowski, Tabor Pepper
Plenty of fans were down about the 49ers kicking the ball in the third round; however, the former Michigan standout’s strong legs will pay big dividends this season.
