49ers training camp: 6 intriguing position battles to watch

The San Francisco 49ers enter training camp with far less drama than in recent years. Quarterback Brock Purdy signed a lucrative extension, making him one of the NFL's highest-paid players, while tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner also secured their futures with the team through new deals.

Instead of following tense contract negotiations, 49ers fans can focus on the intriguing training camp battles at several key positions. With rookies reporting in two weeks and veterans arriving a week later, here's a look at six critical (non-kicker—as that one is a given) competitions to watch as training camp quickly approaches.

Safety

The 49ers' secondary faces plenty of questions following Talanoa Hufanga's departure to the Denver Broncos in free agency. Compounding the issue, promising safety Malik Mustapha suffered an ACL injury during the season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, leaving the team thin at the position.

Currently, Jason Pinnock, a low-key offseason signing, and second-year safety Ji'Ayir Brown appear to be the frontrunners to start in Week 1.

The team also drafted Marques Sigle in the fifth round, who will compete with Richie Grant, Jaylen Mahoney, and others for backup roles.

There is also speculation that the 49ers could look outside the organization for additional help, especially with Mustapha's recovery expected to extend into the regular season.

Linebacker

Fred Warner's starting spot is secure, with the All-Pro continuing to perform at an elite level, even doing so last season while playing through a painful ankle fracture for most of the season.

However, with Dre Greenlaw no longer on the roster, the 49ers must find a new starter alongside Warner. The team remains high on Dee Winters, a 2023 sixth-round pick, but also invested a third-round selection this year in Nick Martin, who is expected to push for the weakside linebacker job.

Warner has been impressed with the rookie.

"I've seen the athletic ability flash already on the field, and the way that he closes," Warner said. "[He] closes space really quickly, and he already has the great mindset of wanting to learn. So, I'm really happy with where he's at."

Others, such as Curtis Robinson, Jalen Graham, and Tatum Bethune, will be in the mix for depth and special teams roles.

Cornerback

Deommodore Lenoir and rookie Renardo Green are expected to start at cornerback when the 49ers open the season against the Seattle Seahawks on September 7. However, the crucial third cornerback role remains up for grabs.

Third-round pick Upton Stout and newcomer Tre Brown are leading candidates to compete for snaps. Meanwhile, there has been considerable speculation surrounding whether the 49ers will bring in outside help before the start of the season.

Top free agents still on the market include Asante Samuel Jr., Rasul Douglas, and Mike Hilton, each of whom could strengthen the unit if defensive coordinator Robert Saleh envisions a fit.

Hilton, in particular, is an intriguing option given his strong run defense, which could allow the 49ers to keep Lenoir focused on patrolling the perimeter.

Defensive tackle

With Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins departing this offseason, the 49ers revamped their defensive interior by drafting Alfred Collins in the second round and CJ West in the fourth. Both rookies are expected to compete for immediate playing time and are seen as potential long-term anchors of the defensive front.

Veterans Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens shouldn't be overlooked, as they provide valuable experience and depth to the group.

After struggling to stop the run last season, the 49ers will hope Collins and West can help reverse that trend. Collins posted an impressive 85.1 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus in his final season at Texas, while West recorded an even higher 88.1 grade.

Defensive end

The 49ers' defensive line overhaul also included moving on from Leonard Floyd. To replace his production, they selected Mykel Williams with their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and acquired Bryce Huff via a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Both are expected to assist All-Pro Nick Bosa on the edges.

"He was one of the guys that I liked to really watch when he was with the Jets," Bosa said of Huff. "And obviously, it didn't work out with the Eagles, but you take a guy who's playing a four-down-attack front, and then you put him in as an outside backer, it's not always gonna work out so great.

"He's really elite at a certain thing, so we're gonna use him that way, and I'm excited to see it."

The team also retained Yetur Gross-Matos and still sees potential in Robert Beal Jr., a 2023 fifth-round pick. Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek will once again be tasked with unlocking the group's potential after a season where the pass rush struggled to generate consistent pressure.

Left guard (Bonus: swing tackle)

If left tackle Trent Williams misses significant time again this season, the 49ers' offense could be in serious trouble. Already viewed as an underwhelming unit, the offensive line lost starting left guard Aaron Banks and versatile swing tackle Jaylon Moore to free agency, creating two key battles to watch during camp.

Ben Bartch appears to be the early favorite to replace Banks, but Nick Zakelj and rookie Connor Colby, a seventh-round pick, will attempt to push for the role.

Dominick Puni is set to start at right guard, while Colton McKivitz and Jake Brendel are expected to reprise their roles at right tackle and center, respectively. That leaves left guard and swing tackle as the top positions in the offensive line competition spotlight.