The San Francisco 49ers open training camp for the 2020 NFL season on Tuesday at the SAP Training Center in Santa Clara, California. The defending NFC champions finished last season 13-3 and in first place in the NFC West, earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. The 49ers return 21 starters as well as head coach Kyle Shanahan and coordinators Mike McDaniel (run game), Mike LaFleur (pass game), Robert Saleh (defense) and Richard Hightower (special teams). Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard
Garoppolo is entrenched as the starter but is now the time when the Niners deal Mullens or Beathard? The Niners like both backups and with so much uncertainty created by the coronavirus pandemic, it might be more prudent to continue carrying three quarterbacks than it has been in past seasons.
RUNNING BACK (4): Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert, Jerick McKinnon, Jeff Wilson Jr.
There could be plenty of upheaval here even after trading Matt Breida to the Dolphins during the draft. Mostert has requested a trade after the Niners were unable to meet his demands for a salary increase. Still, it's hard to imagine the Niners letting their best runner go and not finding a way to make the situation work for both sides.
Beyond Coleman and Mostert, there should be plenty of competition as McKinnon tries to get on the field for the first time in two years and Wilson looks to establish himself in a more prominent role. Don't be surprised if one of two undrafted rookies -- Salvon Ahmed or JaMycal Hasty -- forces their way on the roster or, at minimum, the practice squad.
FULLBACK (1): Kyle Juszczyk
Juszczyk is the best fullback in the game and back for another go at it. Worth watching here: Can the Niners strike a deal on a contract extension for the free-agent-to-be?
WIDE RECEIVER (7): Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor, Jalen Hurd, Travis Benjamin, Dante Pettis
Samuel's status is in doubt early in the season because of a Jones fracture in his foot, but if the Niners believe he will be ready early in the season, they'll likely carry seven wideouts. Aiyuk, Bourne and Samuel seem the best bets to nail down roster spots. Taylor and Hurd offer plenty of potential, but health has been an issue for both. Benjamin will probably battle Richie James Jr. to be the team's primary returner, while Pettis is probably on his last chance to validate coach Kyle Shanahan's previous faith in him.
TIGHT END (3): George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner
There's not much drama here, as Kittle is the Niners' best offensive player, though it bears monitoring whether the team and Kittle can strike an agreement on what figures to be a record-breaking contract for a tight end. Dwelley and Woerner offer steady if unspectacular support, so don't be shocked if the Niners continue to scour the market for possible upgrades to the depth.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Weston Richburg, Daniel Brunskill, Mike McGlinchey, Ben Garland, Colton McKivitz, Justin Skule, Shon Coleman
With teams now allowed to keep additional offensive linemen active on game day, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Niners went a bit heavier upfront than they have in recent years. The competitions that bear watching are at starting right guard (Brunskill, Tom Compton and McKivitz are the primary competitors there) and backup tackle (Coleman, Skule and McKivitz). More often than not, the players who offer the most versatility win out, which could give an edge to the likes of Brunskill and McKivitz and leave a veteran such as Compton on the outside looking in. It's also possible that Skule and Coleman will battle over one spot.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Javon Kinlaw, D.J. Jones, Solomon Thomas, Kerry Hyder, Ronald Blair III, Jullian Taylor
The first six or seven on this list should be considered locks barring injury. The question the Niners will face as camp opens is whether Blair and Taylor will be recovered from season-ending injuries. Both will have a spot and a role when they return, but if they aren't ready early in the season, players such as Kevin Givens and Kentavius Street will be positioned to stick.
LINEBACKER (5): Fred Warner, Kwon Alexander, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Joe Walker
The Niners will likely continue to go light at linebacker. They love their top three guys in Warner, Alexander and Greenlaw. The remaining depth must be able to contribute on special teams, which means the likes of Al-Shaair, Walker and Mark Nzeocha will probably tussle over a couple of spots.
CORNERBACK (5): Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, Ahkello Witherspoon, K'Waun Williams, Tim Harris
The injury to D.J. Reed puts this group in a little bit more flux as he figured to continue as the primary backup to Williams in the nickel. There are some experienced veterans such as Jason Verrett, Jamar Taylor and Dontae Johnson who could also figure into this mix. Keep an eye on Harris, who had impressed last preseason and could offer some value as an outside corner beyond this season as Sherman, Moseley, Witherspoon and Williams all head toward some form of free agency.
SAFETY (4): Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Tarvarius Moore, Marcell Harris
Cracking this roster is not easy, especially without a full offseason, which means you might not see many new names. This could be a spot where we get one as undrafted rookie Jared Mayden has the look of a possible roster surprise. We'll still give the nod to Harris here based on his knowledge of the scheme but special teams also will be a factor.
SPECIALIST (3): Robbie Gould, Mitch Wishnowsky, Kyle Nelson
Barring injuries, nothing to see here as the Niners are pleased to enter the season with this trio locked in place.