Since the start of free agency and the NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers have added more talent to their roster to hopefully get the team over the hump in its quest for a sixth championship. With training camp set to open at the end of July, let's take a quick look at how the 49ers will look on offense. Next week's article will focus on the defense and special teams.
Quarterback
At the start of training camp, the Trey Lance era will officially begin. Since the offseason began, Lance has worked with the other skill position players to hone his timing and offensive rhythm with his pass-catchers.
Jimmy Garoppolo remains on the roster, but he is unlikely to get on the practice field as the team works to trade the veteran quarterback. The move will avoid a quarterback controversy, which will leave Nate Sudfeld as Lance's backup. Since being drafted out of Indiana by the now-Washington Commanders in 2016, Sudfeld has played in four games with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Unless he catches on quickly, Brock Purdy, who the 49ers drafted in the seventh round, may be on the practice squad going into the season.
Running Back
Since Shanahan has taken over as the head coach of the 49ers, he has been able to find running backs where others fail to look. He figured out how to use longtime special-teamer Matt Breida, trusted Raheem Mostert after his fumble issues, and brought in the then-unknown Jeff Wilson.
Since Breida left the team in 2020, Mostert taking his speed and injuries to South Beach, and Wilson not being able to take the starting spot, the door has been left open for second-year running back Elijah Mitchell to become the featured running back.
San Francisco drafted the former Raging Cajun in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He started 10 games and rushed for 963 yards and five touchdowns during his rookie season, becoming a fan-favorite.
Though Wilson is still on the roster, along with JaMycal Hasty, the backup running back position will probably be up for grabs with others like Trey Sermon and Tyrion Davis-Price looking to climb the depth chart.
Since being with the team, Wilson and Hasty have been serviceable players but have not been the "bell cow" back to take over down the stretch of a game.
Sermon's game-changing abilities were on display in the National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, he did not show the same burst in 2021 as shown with Ohio State and Oklahoma.
Coming off a 1,000-yard junior season with LSU, Davis-Price should compete for a strong role on the team.
Wide Receivers
Deebo Samuel has re-followed the team on social media. At this moment, he is the team's number one receiver and playmaker. The 49ers hope it remains that way, refusing to trade the talented wideout, despite his request.
Opposite the fourth-year receiver is Brandon Aiyuk, who fell out of favor with head coach Kyle Shanahan at the start of last season, but came up strong with 826 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
The number three and four receiver battle should be fun to watch with the late-season emergence of Jauan Jennings and new rookie receiver Danny Gray.
Jennings (6'3") and Gray (6'0") have the size to tower over corners that typically line up in the slot, but the former SMU receiver has the 4.3-second 40-time speed to blow the top off of defenses and open up the offense for the young strong-armed quarterback.
Jennings' role with the team increased towards the end of last season. He has become very dangerous but does not have the speed of Gray.
Ray-Ray McCloud, KeeSean Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Malik Turner, and the other receivers on the roster will either compete for a spot on the team or the practice squad.
Tight End
George Kittle is the number one tight end and should come back to stake his claim as the best in the league. But who will play behind the "The People's Tight End"?
Since being drafted out of Iowa in 2017, Kittle's ability to make plays after the catch, and his ferocious run blocking, have made him widely considered as one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
The other two tight ends on the roster, Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner, are serviceable players in terms of run blocking but do not have the same game-changing abilities as Kittle.
Fourth-year player Tanner Hudson and undrafted rookie Garrett Walston from North Carolina may have a chance to make the team, but they will have to be standouts due to the expectations Kittle has put on the position.
Offensive Line
The 49ers' offensive line is led by left tackle Trent Williams, but has holes to fill after guard Laken Tomlinson left for the Jets via free agency, and the uncertain future of center Alex Mack.
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who suffered a season-ending quad injury last season, says he is ahead of schedule in his rehab and expects to be ready for the start of training camp.
Daniel Brunskill, who started 40 of the 47 games at right guard, has been serviceable since signing with the 49ers in 2019.
If the Niners are going to fill the holes in the offensive line, look for second-year guard Aaron Banks to step in to the vacant spot left by Tomlinson.
Banks, with his 6'5" frame, appeared in nine games as a rookie and had the team excited he was still available in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft because of his size, stature, and footwork.
Second-year offensive guard Jaylon Moore, who started three of seven games his rookie year, could also compete for the starting guard spot.
Fifth-year center Jake Brendel played 16 games last season and could be the replacement for Mack if he decides to retire.
Another alternative at center could be Brunskill because, according to the article "With the Spencer Burford pick, the 49ers could start Daniel Brunskill at center" by Rohan Chakravarthi, the team could move Brunskill to center, making the offensive line more versatile with the rookie out of UTSA.
