Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports


49ers 2018 training camp: 3 things to watch for on day three

Jul 28, 2018 at 9:36 AM


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.

The San Francisco 49ers hit the practice field for day three of 2018 training camp. Let's break down some key storylines and tidbits to watch for Saturday's action.


The San Francisco 49ers have put two days of on-field training camp practices in the books. On day one, the Niners defense seemed to have the edge, which is to be expected. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh's Cover 3 system is far less complex than head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.

But the offense bounced back on day two, including quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo looking quite sharp.

Heading into day three of practices, what should fans pay attention to and which players might command the storylines? Let's take a look.

Can Rookie Wideout Richie James Stay Hot?


Seventh-round rookie wide receiver Richie James had himself a nice debut on day one of practices, including a 30-yard catch from quarterback C.J. Beathard, per 49ers.com's Joe Fann:


James backed this up on day two. Niner Noise's Aaron Tan broke down what he saw on Friday:

Observing this practice told me that James would not only have a 100 percent chance of making the roster, but should also have a big role on the offense in the 2018 season.

James caught everything headed his way, even when coverage was very tight. He was getting a lot of reps and it is very clear that the coaching staff loves him.

At 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, James is competing for one of only a handful of depth spots at wide receiver. Yet he appears to be benefiting from the absence of second-year wideout Trent Taylor, who is on the PUP list with a back injury. And by all accounts, it appears as if James is taking full advantage of the extra looks.

The former Middle Tennessee State receiver still has a ways to go to ensure a roster spot. But it's going to be hard to ignore him if he keeps displaying efforts like the ones seen the first two days.

Running Back Jerick McKinnon Starting to Command the Offense


According to Niners Wire's Chris Biderman, veteran running back Jerick McKinnon felt "really lost" upon arriving in San Francisco and trying to command Shanahan's system.

Yet McKinnon flashed a number of splash plays already, including a long run to the left that went for a big gain.

McKinnon has never posted more than 570 rush yards in a single season. Buried on the Minnesota Vikings depth chart, though, he hasn't exactly had a chance to be featured. That changes with San Francisco now. Better yet, his unique skill set -- an elusive runner as well as a pass-catching back -- is tailor made for Shanahan's system.

The explosive potential is going to be something to continue monitoring throughout camp, and it's possible that shows up on day three.

How Will the Defensive Line Look?


As Tan noted, edge rushers Cassius Marsh and Jeremiah Attaochu were both regularly putting pressure on quarterbacks in their own pass-rushing efforts. The pads haven't come on yet -- that happens today -- so one has to look at the "simulated" pressures and would-be sacks with a grain of salt.

But with all the questions San Francisco has surrounding its pass rush this season, it's at least a bit good to see both Marsh and Attaochu making an early impact. If that stays the case throughout most of camp, this apparent weakness might not be as critical as initially thought.

One area in which there's little concern is defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who was dominant in practices, according to Fann:


Pro Football Focus ranked Buckner the No. 6 overall interior defender last season, and it appears as if he is picking up right where he left off last season.

The 49ers have three first-round investments on the defensive line -- Buckner, Arik Armstead and, most recently, Solomon Thomas. If this unit finally starts to jell, it's likely the tandem of Marsh and Attaochu will benefit to a hefty extent. Thomas, especially, is looking to bounce back from an otherwise sub-par rookie campaign a year ago. Yet if his maturation increases on a solid trajectory, the Niners will essentially have a potent one-two punch up front.

Keep an eye on how that develops during practice.

San Francisco kicks off padded practice today at 1:15 p.m. ET from its practice facility in Santa Clara. Be sure to stay tuned for further developments and news as the day moves along.
  • Written by:
    Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.


0 Comments

  • No Comments

Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News



49ers Notebook: Crucial offseason for Purdy; O-line confidence; Shanahan on new kickoff rule, Dobbs signing; Hufanga eyes training camp return

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn't have to field as many quarterback questions as he did a year ago after Brock Purdy underwent surgery, the arrival of Sam Darnold, and the uncertainty surrounding the future of Trey Lance. The quarterback situation is clearer now than it has been in recent years. For Purdy, this offseason holds significant importance. It marks the first time he can focus on on-field improvement during minicamps, OTAs, and training camp. While he had this opportunity as a rookie in 2022, he was buried on the depth chart, limiting his practice reps. Last year, Purdy was still recovering from surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. He didn't get to throw to his teammates until training camp in



5 things to know about new 49ers QB Joshua Dobbs

By Kirk Larrabee
Mar 18

Joshua Dobbs became the latest addition to the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback room after agreeing to a one-year contract with the team on Monday. Dobbs, 28, has 2,920 passing yards in 21 games (14 starts) with 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in seven NFL seasons. He also has 91 carries for 496 yards and six rushing touchdowns and a 3-11 record overall as a starter. Dobbs comes to 49ers as a well-traveled NFL veteran who most recently was with the Minnesota Vikings. But Dobbs isn't any ordinary NFL quarterback. Let's take a look at what to know about him as he begins his time with the 49ers. The Joshua Dobbs "world tour" reaches San Francisco The 49ers are Dobbs' eighth team since joining the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick of



Titans signing ex-49ers DT Sebastian Joseph-Day

By David Bonilla
Mar 19

According to the player's agent, former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day has agreed to a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. He is an unrestricted free agent. Following his visit yesterday, Sebastian Joseph-Day has agreed to terms with the Tennessee #Titans on a one year deal according to @ChaseYourLegend— Jason McCourty (@JasonMcCourty)



49ers GM John Lynch attends Michigan Pro Day

By David Bonilla
Mar 22

As expected, Michigan's Pro Day has a significant NFL presence. The event features 18 draft-eligible players from the national champion's roster. Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy reports that San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch is among those in attendance. Lynch is one of nine general managers on hand to evaluate the draft hopefuls. PRO-DAY UPDATE: Only fitting that national champs @UMichFootball, with record 18 Combine invitees, have biggest NFL turnout for pro-day.Here's list of NFL attendees who'll


Latest

More by Peter Panacy

More Articles

Share 49ersWebzone