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The San Francisco 49ers are two weeks into training camp. In all honesty and that’s redundant if you know me, daily camp news is overrated. We, the media stand out on the field for a couple hours, watch drills and 11 on 11 work and search to fill content. Any moderately big play which draws ooos and ahhs from the assembled season ticket holding crowd in the far end zone camp stands means a mad scramble to note something down as a play of the day, big catch, stellar defensive play or some defining moment that could win a regular season job or roster spot. Reality is, were searching for topics to bring back to the fans for views, clicks and social media clout. The only things that matter in camp are getting good work in day after day and the most important thing by far is to get out of it as healthy as possible. The 49ers are getting in good work, the healthy part, not so much. Having pulled back the curtain a bit, while daily performances aren’t overly scrutinized by the 49ers staff, two weeks of work and a few days in pads is a good enough sample size to draw some early opinions. By the way, these opinions aren’t set in stone, they are written in hypothetical pencil and can be erased or amended as camp and the season goes on. So far….Two weeks in……
Let’s start with the bad news.
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🏥 Injury Bug Bites —Again
Hopefully this isn’t 2024 all over again and the 49ers are due some good health from the football Gods, but injuries are a storyline during the opening weeks of camp. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is at the center of a particularly frustrating situation. What began as a mild contract dispute quickly evolved into a reoccurring “mystery” calf issue. Now, Jennings is missing time, and there’s no clear timetable for a return. The fact that Kyle Shanahan won’t commit to anything regarding his availability is telling. With injuries, mystery is never a good thing.
Second year players who need to take a jump, receiver Jacob Cowing, a fourth-rounder in 2024 known for his elite quickness and shiftiness in space, is sidelined with a hamstring as is corner Renardo Green coming off a solid rookie season. Shanahan said earlier this week they would both likely be ready for Raiders joint practices the week of August 16th. If that’s the time table, both should be ready for the opener in Seattle three weeks later. That’s two promising young players the Niners are counting on. Cowing as a speed piece, jet sweep replacement for Deebo Samuel and a possible return man and Green as an ascending starting corner opposite Demo Lenior.
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💥 Rookies Turning Heads on Defense
Now, for the good news: some young defenders are balling.
Third-round bowling ball of knives defensive tackle CJ West has been one of the breakout stars of camp. Watching him in one-on-ones. His motor is relentless, his hands are violent, and his get-off is Tasmanian devil quick. He could find himself on the 49ers Turbo pass rushing line with Nick Bosa and Bryce Huff racing from wide-nine on the outside with fellow rookie first-rounder Mykell Williams moving inside on pass downs to give the team their best pressure packages since DeForrest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Dee Ford and Bosa in 2019.
Speaking of Mikel Williams, a 6’5”, 265-pound plus lineman, has been as advertised. Long, athletic, and versatile, Williams has rotated between the interior and the edge in drills. While most have been on the outside, he’s working inside as well and has plenty of size, speed and power to give tackles and guards trouble. He’s not dominant yet, but he flashes.
Slot corner Upton Stout, who looks like another 49ers day 2 steal from Western Kentucky, has forcefully taken over the nickel role. He’s sticky in coverage, feisty in run support, and rarely out of position. Two weeks in, the job is basically his unless he falls off the face in the final weeks of camp.
Dee Winters, who got his first real look last year replacing an injured Dre Greenlaw, looks like a different player in 2025. He’s added muscle, his recognition is faster, and he’s already nabbed a pair of interceptions in team drills. Pairing him next to Fred Warner isn’t Fred and Dre, but I think Winters will take a step up this year. Rookie Nick Martin hasn’t been bad, but he’s gong to need the beef up front to keep big guards and centers off him to show his speed, he’s not big, but he is built and athletic. He’s battling with Luke Gifford to be the third linebacker on the field.
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⭐️ The Stars Are Still the Stars
Not to be forgotten amid the youth movement, the usual cornerstones are right on schedule.
Nick Bosa has been completely unblockable at times. If he needed motivation, his #57 ranking in the NFL Top 100 might’ve done the trick. He’s in peak shape and looks primed to move back up among the elite pass rushers in the game. It won’t hurt to have competent players with him along the defensive line, which he hasn’t had lately.
Christian McCaffrey is back to full speed. He may never replicate his 2023 campaign — 2,200+ yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns — but along with Saquon Barkley, he’s the most complete back in football. If you’re a fantasy player thinking about passing on him because of age or injury, Think again.
George Kittle is healthy and happy out there in his element, Fred Warner is the emotional engine of the defense, as always. And perhaps most importantly, Brock Purdy looks to have expanded his deep-ball repertoire. He’s connected on several 40+ yard throws in team drills, and after being forced into hero mode late last season, he now looks more poised and confident with the return of some weapons, namely CMC. Hopefully Brandon Aiyuk is only out the first four games, I do expect him to start the season on the PUP list.
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📈 Veterans Stepping Up—Or Needing To
Edge rusher Bryce Huff who racked up a 10-sack season with the Jets under Robert Saleh two years ago, is a rocket in this defense and he has one job – Line up wide, turn and burn to the quarterback. He’s explosive, twitchy, and looks completely at home in this scheme. With Bosa drawing double teams, Huff should be a double-digit sack guy again. At times in camp, lineman are barely out of their stance as he races by them.
But the wide receiver room? That’s a different story.
DeMarcus Robinson, a savvy route runner and trusted vet, has been the most consistent WR in camp — but he’s likely facing a two-game suspension due to a DUI arrest this offseason. Ricky Pearsall is still being brought along slowly, but when he’s on the field his athleticism, route running and ability to pluck the ball stand out. Aiyuk’s status and Jennings mystery opens the door for rookie Jordan Watkins, with his legit 4.3 wheels and quick feet off the line. He started just OK in camp and after watching him closely for a few days, I noticed his jab step ability off the line and extra gear especially on quick crossing routes where no one in the middle can keep up and he has the ability to be the top off the defense guy they’ve been searching for. Also watch out for veteran Russell Gage, a dependable pro with experience in both Tampa and Atlanta. Shanahan likes guys who do things right and are where they’re supposed to be and Gage may wind up as WR2 by default through trust if Jennings and Aiyuk can’t go and Cowing is slow to come back from his injury.
Secondary Struggles and Safety Concerns
Depth at defensive back remains one of the biggest concerns. Lenoir has a minor hip issue. Green is already hurt. Eli Apple was signed for emergency depth, but he’s not a long-term solution.
Tre Brown, Dallis Flowers, and Darrell Luter Jr. have all taken reps with the first team because of injury, but none have stood out. Look for John Lynch and the front office to start looking at the waiver wire later this month in search of more veteran corners who could hit the market. The projected starting corners of Lenior, Green and Stout could be good, but beyond that there isn’t much proven talent. Tre Brown was solid when he could stay healthy in Seattle, but in four seasons there he only played in 39 of a possible 68 games.
At safety, Ja’Ayir Brown is emerging as a leader and a tone-setter. He’s now being asked to quarterback the back end and after an impressive press conference the other day, sounds ready to put an up and down second year behind him. Jason Pinnock, acquired from the Giants, is the likely starter next to him for now, but coaches remain hopeful that Malik Mustapha, the second-year thumper can return from a knee injury by October. Until then, don’t be surprised if the front office makes another move here. Think of Tashaun Gipson a few years ago, The 49ers secondary could certainly use a few more adults in the room, especially on the back end where there is no safety net.
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🦵 Yes, It’s Time to Talk Kicking
Jake Moody is the incumbent, but he’s still trying to shake the confidence issues from last year. Greg Joseph, the veteran challenger, has been somewhat better in team portions. Moody has the bigger leg, but if he misses a kick or two in preseason, don’t be shocked if the team pivots. They want to keep him to justify the pick, but I think Shanahan is running thin on patience.
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📌 Big Picture
Look — training camp is what it is. There’s always overreaction. There’s always someone “winning” August. But the themes are clear:
• The 49ers have injuries — again — in key spots and they are thin where it hurts the most right now, WR and in the secondary.
• They’re relying on more rookies than any 49ers team in recent memory. The defense may struggle early, especially on the back end and three rookies could start on the defensive line next to Nick Bosa. Robert Saleh says 6 to 8 rookies could start on that side of the ball.
• The offense will score points, but who will catch the ball? Purdy will be better, CMC’s health is not an issue. Kittle is Kittle, Trent Williams is healthy. Kyle is still the play caller and Klay Kubiak as his right hand man is an underrated move to keep things fresh. Last season they scored 22.9 points per game, tied with Atlanta for 10th in the NFL. I’d be surprised if they weren’t a top 5 scoring offense this season. They’ll have to be early on as the defense matures.
The 49ers may start slower than fans want. But if this young defense gels quickly and early signs are solid, plus the stars stay healthy, they are still contenders in the NFC to me.