The 49ers did a solid job addressing some needs this offseason, but as they head into the teeth of their offseason program and training camp, key positional battles are taking shape. Here are three…
The 49ers did a solid job addressing some needs this offseason, but as they head into the teeth of their offseason program and training camp , key positional battles are taking shape.
Expect a spirited competition for the left guard job, with a handful of candidates vying for a critical role along the offensive line. For now, Connor Colby is the odds-on favorite to be the starterBut the 2025 seventh-round draft pick has a big-time fight on his hands to hold onto a job he held for six games last year.
Among the other candidates is veteran Robert Jones, a former Dolphins starter who missed all of last season with a neck injury. , with fourth-rounder Carver Willis under strong consideration for a big role in his first season. If he’s not up to the challenge, fifth-rounder Enrique Cruz Jr. will also be in the mix.
Upton Stout played well enough last year as a rookie third-round pick to be the penciled-in starter heading into the bulk of the offseason and training camp. But his struggles in pass coverage were just enough to raise concerns about his long-term starting viability. Getty Images Slot cornerback is a difficult position to play in the NFL, especially for a rookie. A learning curve was expected, and there is every reason to believe Stout will benefit from the experience.
But that didn’t stop the 49ers from signing former Raiders and Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs. His presence could change the whole dynamic. When Hobbs is healthy, he’s shown he can hold down the slot cornerback spot. But staying on the field has been an issue.
Injuries limited him to 11 games in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, leading the Raiders and Packers to move on from him. Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha are the starters for now, but the 49ers need someone to push at least one of them for a starting job as improvement is needed. The 49ers drafted Ephesians Prysock in the fourth round, and he could play cornerback and safety for the team.?
He is listed as a cornerback, but at 6-foot-3, some people think he’s better suited at safety. In fact, former 49ers defensive back Donte Whitner suggested that on a recent podcast. Another name to watch is former Notre Dame safety Jalen Stroman, an UDFA whom many expect to push for playing time as a rookie.
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