SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers open training camp on July 31 at the SAP Training Center.
The Niners are coming off a disappointing, injury-riddled 6-10 season that saw them finish last in the NFC West division. San Francisco returns 19 starters as well as head coach Kyle Shanahan, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. DeMeco Ryans replaced Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator after he departed to become the head coach of the New York Jets. Saleh took Mike LaFleur with him as his offensive coordinator after LaFleur worked as the Niners' passing game coordinator the past two seasons.
Here's a 53-man roster projection as camp begins:
QUARTERBACK (2): Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance
It would be unusual for the Niners to keep two quarterbacks on the active roster but with the expanded practice squad and modified rules of 2020 expected to remain in place, this would be a good time for them to roll with two and keep Nate Sudfeld and/or Josh Rosen on the practice squad. Reps are going to be hard to come by for any quarterbacks other than Garoppolo or Lance in camp, so it would make sense to free up the roster spot elsewhere.
RUNNING BACK (5): Raheem Mostert, Wayne Gallman, Trey Sermon, Elijah Mitchell, Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
With Jeff Wilson Jr. expected to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, this group is a bit easier to peg. JaMycal Hasty can't be ruled out to push Gallman or Mitchell for a spot but Hasty also is a logical practice squad candidate.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Richie James Jr., Jalen Hurd, Mohamed Sanu, Trent Sherfield
Figuring out what this room will look like beyond Aiyuk and Samuel is difficult. Ideally, Hurd would emerge as the third wideout but he has to prove he can get and stay healthy first. James is a logical option for an expanded role in the slot after Kendrick Bourne's departure and Sanu could offer a veteran presence in hopes of a career resurgence with a full camp in San Francisco. Sherfield makes it based on special teams acumen but Travis Benjamin and Jauan Jennings will also be in the mix. Don't be surprised if the Niners look to add to this group, either.
TIGHT END (3): George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner
This group seems pretty well set, though perhaps veteran MyCole Pruitt or another outside addition could elbow his way into a spot as a possible upgrade to the depth.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Alex Mack, Aaron Banks, Mike McGlinchey, Daniel Brunskill, Jaylon Moore, Colton McKivitz, Shon Coleman
Backup lineman Justin Skule's torn ACL clears this group up a bit but there will still be plenty of competition behind the starters. Moore, Brunskill and McKivitz have the versatility the Niners covet, which means they should all stick around. Coleman could be the swing tackle but it's possible the 49ers could go with just eight here and keep extra linemen on the practice squad.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, D.J. Jones, Samson Ebukam, Maurice Hurst, Arden Key, Zach Kerr, Kentavius Street, Kevin Givens
The 49ers haven't been shy about keeping extra defensive linemen in the past and this year should be no different. The big question mark here is Dee Ford, who is working to return from a back injury. The Niners are hopeful he will contribute this year, though it's uncertain if he will start camp on the active roster or the PUP list. For now, we'll go with Ford starting on PUP, which clears the way for Key and Street to stick. Jordan Willis would be in a battle with Key for a spot on the edge but he's going to miss the first six games because of suspension.
LINEBACKER (5): Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Justin Hilliard
There isn't much depth here overall but there should be plenty of competition for any linebacker spots behind Warner and Greenlaw. Veterans Nathan Gerry and James Burgess Jr. offer some veteran options, while rookie Elijah Sullivan and Jonas Griffith will have a shot to win a spot. Gerry or Burgess would seem to have the line on one spot but let's go with youth and upside for now with Hilliard and Flannigan-Fowles for the primary backup jobs.
CORNERBACK (6): Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, K'Waun Williams, Ambry Thomas, Deommodore Lenoir, Dontae Johnson
This is another position where the Niners could continue to seek additional depth. The first five on this list are expected to last, which leaves what should be a good battle for a potential sixth slot. Johnson always seems to find his way on the roster but the Niners have players like Ken Webster and Tim Harris Jr., both of whom have experience in the defense, ready to push Johnson for that spot.
SAFETY (4): Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Tony Jefferson, Talanoa Hufanga
It's possible the 49ers will keep an additional safety should they choose to go lighter on the defensive line or cornerback, especially after Tarvarius Moore's torn Achilles in the spring. Jefferson hasn't played since 2019 but he offers a steady, veteran presence. There will be plenty of competition from Tavon Wilson and Marcell Harris but it's also worth keeping an eye on Jared Mayden, a versatile second-year player who could emerge and win a spot.
SPECIALIST (3): K Robbie Gould, P Mitch Wishnowsky, LS Taybor Pepper
With Pepper and Gould signed to multi-year extensions, this trio is locked in.