Who did Gregg Rosenthal project as the starters for the San Francisco 49ers? Find out below.
Offense
QB: Blaine Gabbert
RB: Carlos Hyde
WR1: Torrey Smith
WR2: Quinton Patton
WR3 DeAndre Smelter
TE: Vance McDonald
LT: Joe Staley
LG: Josh Garnett
C: Daniel Kilgore
RG: Zane Beadles
RT: Trent Brown
Defense
DL: Arik Armstead
DT: Ian Williams
DT: DeForest Buckner
LB: NaVorro Bowman
OLB: Aaron Lynch
OLB: Ahmad Brooks
CB1: Trumaine Brock
CB2: Dontae Johnson
CB3/S: Jimmie Ward
S: Antoine Bethea
S: Eric Reid
The following are some interesting notes and opinions from his projected camp battles.
Logic dictates that Kaepernick's talent will win out over Gabbert eventually, but at this stage it appears the organization prefers Gabbert to win this job.
The passing game has less talent than any group in the NFC, and its not close.
The front seven is dangerous after pairing college teammates Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner. The defensive line is deep enough to put Glenn Dorsey and promising youngster Quinton Dial on the bench.
Michael Wilhoite and Gerald Hodges will battle for an ILB role, but I didn't include either as a starter because the 49ers figure to be in nickel defense with five defensive backs most downs.
You can read the entire NFC West breakdown here.
(h/t to Ryan Sakamoto of NinerFans.com for finding this)
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