We are a little over two weeks from the start of 49ers training camp. And while most eyes will be on the situation at quarterback, notably the backup quarterback, there will also be some key backup players and new starters to keep an eye on.
The San Francisco 49ers have the best roster in football. The lineup is laced with Pro Bowl players and excellent starting talent. But this team's depth has been one of its strengths over the past four seasons. The success of the 49ers in 2023 will largely depend on the success of that depth. That means there are some key backups that could greatly impact the season for the 49ers.
So who are the 49ers' most important backups heading into the 2023 season? Let's take a look.
1. Trey Lance (or Sam Darnold—whoever is QB2)
Projected role: Backup quarterback
The 2023 49ers will rise or fall on the arm of the starting quarterback. We saw that happen in the 2022 NFC Championship Game when Brock Purdy was injured. And the 49ers head into the 2023 season with a bit of a question mark at the QB position. Purdy appears to be on the road to recovery and should be fine to play like he did last season, but there are no guarantees he will return to form.
This is why Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch added Sam Darnold to compete with Trey Lance for the backup quarterback position. They don't want to be in another situation where they've lost multiple QBs and now have to rely on someone like Josh Johnson to win a big game.
And this makes the competition for QB2 all the more important. Mainly because I still anticipate, despite what Shanahan and others have said, that Purdy won't be ready for week one. So Lance (or Darnold) likely will start a couple of games to begin the season before Purdy is ready to play and perform up to the level he needs to play. I could end up proven wrong, but that's my prediction.
There is always drama surrounding the 49ers QB situation. This training camp and preseason will be no different. Don't get caught up in who is taking most of the training camp or preseason snaps, though. Pay more attention to who gets what in the joint practices against the Las Vegas Raiders. Shanahan values those sessions more than any other. So that may give us a better glimpse into what he's thinking.
2. Jordan Mason
Projected role: Backup running back
Christian McCaffrey is the biggest star on the 49ers offense, much less in the 49ers backfield. And Shanahan uses him a lot. Sometimes I worry that he's used too much.
I'd really like to see the backups used a little more, especially down the stretch in games, to take some wear and tear off McCaffrey. And Jordan Mason may be the one to do that.
Now, I realize that Elijah Mitchell is RB2, but he hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy. I hope that he does. He would be a perfect number two, especially when you need to put the game away and protect a lead. Mitchell never fumbles the ball, which is huge when you need to ice the game.
But since Mitchell will likely miss multiple games, that makes Mason much more valuable. Wasn't Mitchell spotted on the sideline working on his own during the mandatory minicamp? If so, and he's already dealing with an injury, that makes me all the more convinced that Mason will receive more carries this season than Mitchell.
And if McCaffrey does miss time, Mason will become an extremely important piece to the 49ers' championship run this season.
3. Samuel Womack, III (or Darrell Luter, Jr.—whoever is CB3)
Projected role: Backup corner
Next to offensive line, cornerback may be the slimmest area on the team. The 49ers cannot afford to lose Charvarius Ward or Deommodore Lenoir for much time. That makes players like Samuel Womack, III, and rookie Darrell Luter, Jr. really important to the success of the defense in 2023. It's a little scary to be relying on such young corners, but that's the road the 49ers have chosen. Let's see if it pays off.
No, I haven't forgotten about Ambry Thomas. I just don't foresee him having much of a role this season.
4. Cameron Latu (or Brayden Willis—whoever is TE2)
Projected role: Backup tight end
Similarly to the running back position, the 49ers need a backup tight end who can take pressure off of George Kittle. Whether that player happens to be a rookie, like Cameron Latu or Brayden Willis, remains to be seen. But both players have a good chance of earning that spot.
Additionally, the 49ers need a backup tight end to step up in another way. Shanahan has been interested in having a dual-tight-end threat for the past few seasons. It looked like he would have that when the 49ers signed Jordan Reed in 2020. Reed was an outstanding receiver at the position, and looked like he and Kittle could be that dynamic duo. But injuries cost Reed six games, and Kittle eight games, so we were never able to see what Shanahan could do with the two.
Perhaps we will finally have that chance.
5. Javon Kinlaw
Projected role: Backup defensive tackle
The addition of Javon Hargrave makes Javon Kinlaw a backup at defensive tackle. Kinlaw has starting-level talent but hasn't been able to put it together thus far, primarily because of injuries. His "demotion" to a backup role, along with a healthier knee, could be just what Kinlaw needs. Without the pressure to perform like a first-round draft pick, the fourth-year player may be able to make a greater impact as a rotational piece.
If Kinlaw, who will be a free agent next year, can stay healthy and fresh, he can give Hargrave and Arik Armstead a breather, make a name for himself in his contract season, and impact the 49ers' defense in a way he has yet to do so far.
There are other backup spots throughout the team that are equally important, especially along the offensive line and defensive edge, but these five are the ones that stand out the most to me. Each of these backup players may be needed at some point. When their number is called, they must be ready to answer.