Now that we are in the empty space between organized team activities (OTAs), minicamps, and training camp, we fans must process the bits of information we have and apply them to our hopes for the future.
In the first part of the process, we go into the draft with the hope the Niners draft player X—and then come to terms with the fact that they did not draft player X but someone else, whom we research and then try to be excited about (and, if the research is promising enough, are easily excited about—for me, Mykel Williams fell into this category).
Then we get the occasional signing of someone who will likely be a depth piece, and then the early reports about who looked good in the relatively unimportant, non-contact OTAs and minicamps.
Which leaves us with our fantasies. I don't mean fantasy football (of which I am a devotee, an absolute beast, and will share some of my strategies in that arena when we get closer to training camp), but the much more important hopes and imaginings for the future season.
In that regard, fans start building attachments. Of course, we all have the same hope: whoever starts will have the season of his life and look like a steal from the draft or free-agent market. After all, these happen all the time in the NFL—and have for the 49ers—often enough that all fans dream it will happen to their teams.
So here are some areas I imagine the Faithful are focused on (and my purely emotional, uninformed hopes).
Linebacker
We all remember the days of Fred Warner-Dre Greenlaw dominance, with Azeez Al-Shaair in reserve. And not that long ago, the exquisite play of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman was easily the best in the NFL. Heck, I am old enough to have oohed and aahed over the superb performances of Ken Norton, Jr., Gary Plummer, and Lee Woodall (the 6th-round forerunner of 5th-rounder Greenlaw).
But who will start next to All-World Fred this year? It will likely be Dee Winters or Nick Martin. Are you, dear reader, like me and imagining the speed and tackling dominance of Martin? We saw the average play of Winters and hope for more. Of course, it's possible that Winters wins the job and has a breakout season. But are you like me and hope Martin wins the competition?
Hope: Nick Martin rules the middle of the field and dominates the edges.
Wide receiver
Much has been made over what will happen before Brandon Aiyuk returns and, if the NFL's personal conduct ruling is as we expect, before Demarcus Robinson is available. We have seen Jauan Jennings do great things (Is there anyone who doesn't want to see him block a Seahawk defender off the field and over the fence a la Michael Oher in The Blind Side—Jennings has almost taken things that far as it is. I love that guy!). Ricky Pearsall showed a lot of promise last year. But who is the third man up?
- Jacob Cowing looked good in recent workouts.
- Jordan Watkins is a 4th-round pick out of Ole Miss.
- Terique Owens is the son of a former star.
- Isaiah Neyor is an undrafted free agent who has turned heads.
- Offseason signing Russell Gage has had numerous productive seasons for other clubs.
And there are a few others. I tend to yearn for the new and am hoping Watkins comes through as the guy. And, as an Alabama grad, I tend to favor the SEC and therefore feel the Ole Miss product has a better chance to dominate.
Hope: Watkins lights it up, taking numerous defenses deep with his speed.
Second hope: Cowing shows his route running is vastly improved, and his ability to make people miss in space is on full display.
Pass rusher
Mykel Williams was the 49ers' early pick and supposedly has ridiculous physical skills. On the other hand, John Lynch just signed Bryce Huff, a double-digit sack artist who, just two years ago, excelled under new (old) defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. I want both to explode with a gazillion sacks each, but given the draft expenditure, how many of you all want Williams to start and do more than dominate when setting the edge?
Hope: I want Williams as the guy. However, I also subscribe to the TIS—Trust In Saleh—philosophy. That guy knows how to judge talent and coach the heck out of it.
Cornerback
The 49ers have an open third cornerback spot. Whether this is someone in the slot or on the outside to allow Deommodore Lenoir to slide inside is not important; just who that third guy will be is.
- Tre Brown, a free-agent signing from Seattle.
- Darrell Luter, a 2023 5th-round pick.
- Siran Neal, a veteran from Buffalo and Miami.
- Upton Stout, a 4th-round pick this year.
And some others. I have to admit that, in addition to his newness, I like Stout because he is 5'8" (no, don't fudge the numbers, ESPN, and claim he's 5'9"—he's shorter), and I am also of diminutive stature. But Luter is a recent pick, and a 5th rounder at that, the John Lynch money round.
Hope: Upton Stout shuts down slot receivers. (And he has a great name.)
Interior defensive line
Last year (and the year before, really), the defensive tackles didn't live up to our hopes. John Lynch jettisoned most of them, with Jordan Elliott left from that group. It is generally assumed that both defensive tackle spots are up for grabs, but who will start is undetermined. Though Elliott was underwhelming last year, he was part of a dominant Cleveland defensive line just two years before. He may be rejuvenated in a TIS system. But the 49ers spent two picks on interior linemen this year, and others have shown promise.
- Alfred Collins, the 2nd-round run stuffer this year
- Evan Anderson, an undrafted free agent last year, who looked talented
- Elliott
- CJ West, the 4th-round pick frequently described as a "bowling ball" because, apparently, most defensive tackles are eight feet tall, and he is only 6'1"
- Kalia Davis, a talented 6th-round pick from 2022, who before the draft showed film of himself playing fullback—and looked good!
Hope: Certainly West, in part because of his height, but also because he has pass-rush skills. And then Collins, because you don't want a 2nd-round pick to be a backup. (Note: the consensus seems to be that West will head into training camp as one of the starters.)
Going into training camp, we all have preferences. It might be because we assume players who were average on other teams will probably be backups for us. It could be a draft-round focus or college allegiance. However, there are other reasons that psychiatrists could determine.
So, who is your top hoped-for starter?
Mine: my number one hope is Upton Stout.