While the roster is not yet perfect, the San Francisco 49ers have a lot more depth than they did a year ago. Last season, the team could sign a player during the week and might see him starting on Sunday. Barring injuries, you probably won't see too much of that this season.
General Manager John Lynch expects three of last year's rookies to make a big leap during their sophomore NFL seasons. They are safety Adrian Colbert, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, and linebacker Reuben Foster. Each is expected to start in year two.
Lynch discussed his second-year players with team reporter Joe Fann at the start of Thursday's joint practice with the Houston Texans.
"The great thing for those guys is they all had an opportunity, probably more of an opportunity last year, of making our team," the general manager said. "This year, there's more competition. The new rookie class is going to push them but those guys are up to the task. They're the right kind of guys. We love that. Competition brings out the best in everybody."
Colbert appeared in 14 games with six starts for the 49ers last season. He registered 37 combined tackles, five passes defensed, and forced two fumbles during his rookie campaign.
"[Colbert] came in last year as a special teams player," Lynch said. "And then injuries gave him the opportunity on defense and he shined in that free safety — the eraser — role, and he did it so well. We think he'll take the next step. He's a smart player. He prepares the right way."
The benching of Rashard Robinson last year thrust Witherspoon into a starting role at outside cornerback during a Week 8 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers must have had a lot of confidence in their rookie cornerback at the time because Robinson was traded to the New York Jets two days later.
Witherspoon finished his rookie season with 12 game appearances and nine starts while registering 32 combined tackles, seven passes defensed, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.
"Ahkello Witherspoon, I think, has had a tremendous offseason," Lynch said. "He struggled a little bit early in camp. Probably thinking too much about taking that next step instead of just [...] trusting his training. He's really fallen back into the fundamentals and, I think, really starting to excel. I think he'll have a tremendous season."
Lynch says Rueben Foster is Reuben Foster. Big things are expected out of the second-year linebacker — as long as he can stay healthy. Injuries limited Foster to 10 games last season, but he was still credited with 72 combined tackles and a pass defensed during that time.
Foster isn't just physically gifted, says Lynch.
"Reuben is an extremely talented player," he said. "Everyone talks about the talent (but) he's one of the smartest football players I've been around. He sees things extremely well."
Richard Sherman is entering his eighth NFL season and first with the 49ers after spending seven years in Seattle. Despite his illustrious career, Sherman remains a wildcard on the defense because his health is a question mark. The veteran cornerback is coming off an injured Achilles sustained last November while with the Seahawks.
Sherman is currently dealing with a hamstring strain and is not expected to play against the Texans on Saturday night. At times, Lynch and the coaching staff find themselves fighting Sherman's competitive drive and dedication to his teammates. The cornerback wants to practice but, at the same time, the 49ers have to look at what is best for the team.
"Sherm wants to get out there, and that's what we love about him," Lynch said. "That's what makes him Richard Sherman, is that will and he doesn't want to let his teammates down. We're trying to think of the big picture. We need him healthy come (Week 1 against) Minnesota, our opener, and throughout the year. And we don't want anything nagging going into the year.
"He's done a great job with his rehab. He heals incredibly fast, but we're just trying to — what do they say? Discretion is the better part of valor. We're trying to be smart on this one."
