Training Camp Day 4 + An evaluation of the WR position

Day 2 of the pads, and the 1st 11 v. 11 sessions of the season... and what will Shanahan and Jimmy be working with this season? Analyzing the WR depth and looking at potential moves.

San Francisco 49ers/Youtube

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Day 4 of Training Camp has wrapped up, and we have a PETTIS ALERT! Dante Pettis, who I mentioned yesterday as someone who has the biggest opportunity to show out and improve on this roster, did exactly what we all were hoping he would. The main story from camp, Pettis caught five passes, all of which were over the middle today, which is considered his weakest point. He looked like the best WR on the field. A great day for the 3rd year WR now, who after having a very impressive rookie season, played terrible throughout his 2nd year. Great to see that, and if he keeps it up, with all the injuries the 49ers WR corps have sustained, I would not be surprised (once again, if he keeps it up) if Shanahan and Jimmy regained trust in him and he moves up the depth chart. Garoppolo complemented his aggressiveness and competitiveness today as well, which is a huge sign considering Jimmy did not trust him at all last season. We know that Shanahan absolutely loved him coming out of Washington, and although the counting numbers do not show it, Pettis is still a top 3 WR on this roster talent wise. Why?

Diving into the advanced statistics, we all know that Pettis is an incredible route runner. What most of us, or at least I did not know, is that in his rookie season… he was… the best route runner/separator in football. Pettis averaged an incredible 2.38 yards of separation per route, topping the entire NFL in his rookie season, and while that number dropped down in less games, snaps, and targets this season, to 1.48 yards of separation per route, that was still in line with other WRs like now Saints WR Emmanuel Sanders, and Kendrick Bourne. His yards per reception and target during his rookie season were both ranked #5 and #9 in the league. Pettis is also one of the greatest college punt returners ever, and while he has not shown that same ability in the NFL at all, he can still prove himself, and he has been getting that opportunity at punt returner this offseason.

Offensive Line Options

Another big story was that another 49ers center went down today, this time replacement starter Ben Garland. He sustained an ankle injury and did not return to practice although the injury is not expected to be serious at all, a stark contrast to the other major injury, Jalen Hurd, who was confirmed to have torn his ACL after receiving an MRI yesterday. Thankfully, Hurd did not sustain any other ligament damage, which bodes well for his recovery. Let’s hope Hurd comes back with a vengeance and his career arc follows someone like Jimmie Ward, or Arik Armstead, instead of DeAndre Smelter (there’s a name you haven’t heard in a while!). But back to Garland, with Richburg being placed on the PUP list, and Spencer Long retiring after spending just a few days with the team, you have to wonder if Lynch and Peters will consider making a move at that spot, the Niners are dangerously thin. Brunskill moved to C after Garland went down, his replacement at RG was Tom Compton, who was signed during free agency this offseason. The 49ers per Matt Barrows have already been in contact with Daniel Kilgore, so expect a signing there soon. They also brought in 2015 3rd round pick Hroniss Grasu as well for a workout today. Another option could be Josh Garnett as a depth option, he has played in this offense and has chemistry with the offensive line already, so he could also get a call. You have to wonder if Justin Skule will get an opportunity inside, as he performed well when Staley went down last season. Nevertheless, the 49ers were already shorthanded after Long’s retirement, Coleman’s opt-out, and now the two injuries to Garland and Richburg, so a signing is virtually guaranteed.

The Battle at CB

Robert Saleh today confirmed that the competition taking place for the CB spot next to Sherman is wide-open, and the three contenders are Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon, and front-runner Emmanuel Moseley. As predicted yesterday, Witherspoon got his first start at CB after Verrett and Moseley took turns the past few practices. With the increased man coverage that is being played with the new secondary coach, that may be the reason for Verrett getting increased opportunity opposite Sherman. The coaches may consider Verrett a better man-coverage corner than Witherspoon or Moseley. K’Waun Williams has a Grade 1 calf strain, and Shanahan said they are being precautionary with him and keeping him out of practice for now. He is not expected to miss any games. Williams is the best slot corner on this team and arguably a top 5 slot corner in the NFL right now, so caution was expected. In other secondary news, the Niners are slated to workout safety Jonathan Cyprien today, and DB Ronnell Perkins tomorrow. Perkins is a UDFA out of Missouri who the 49ers had interest in earlier this season. The Cyprien workout is interesting because his primary competition if signed would be Marcell Harris, who has been playing great so far during camp. The front office is likely just doing due diligence.

Defensive Line Observations

Javon Kinlaw who spoke to the media said today that “I'm used to playing bully ball in college. But everyone here is strong and plays well at pad level.” This comes after Kinlaw, by his own account has not played well at all to begin training camp. Those of you who know me, know that I have been quick to point out that even during college, Kinlaw never had to use technique or speed outside of a couple moves, and that has been an issue with him in his limited sample size with the 49ers so far. That is one of the main reasons I expect to see someone else get the nod at 3-tech to begin the season, whether it is Solomon Thomas like I hope, or someone else, maybe a dark-horse like Kentavius Street, Kinlaw barring an incredible turnaround during the rest of camp won’t be ready to start day one. And that is expected. He will get better, and he will get snaps, but starting an inexperienced rookie against NFL OL in his first NFL game is asking for trouble, especially considering his injury history with knee tendinitis. If not Thomas or another IDL at the 3-tech, I also wonder if Saleh might mix and match, by placing Armstead inside at 3-tech, keeping Jones at the NT, and having Ford replace Armstead on the edge.

An analysis and projected Week 1 depth at WR:

With Deebo most likely out to start the season, and the disastrous Jalen Hurd injury, the WR hierarchy has undergone big changes. My projections for Week 1? Something like this:

Deebo Samuel (injured)
Brandon Aiyuk
Trent Taylor (slot)
Kendrick Bourne
Dante Pettis
Tavon Austin
Jauan Jennings

Samuel being injured makes it very likely that 7 WRs are carried, especially since active roster size has been increased with the new CBA (although COVID-19 measures could change that). Either way, that last spot is a competition between Jennings, and someone like JJ Nelson, and with Austin providing the same thing Nelson does with added versatility which Shanahan values, Nelson feels like a cut to me. I also expect either Jennings or Richie James Jr (currently on the NFI list) to be stashed in IR, as this front office loves to do with young players. Week 1, I think Aiyuk and Bourne get the starting nods, Taylor is essentially guaranteed to be the slot WR. His chemistry with Jimmy and ability to move the chains was sorely missed, and he will play a big role this season. As for Pettis, I think he takes a decent chunk of snap share from Aiyuk and Bourne. Bourne while being a TD machine still is inconsistent, and does not have the route running or speed that Pettis has to push a defense. Aiyuk is a rookie and forcing him to take on such a big role Week 1 would be risky, although he has the talent and ability to do so.

As for returners, I think at punt returner, it will be Dante Pettis. Austin is capable at punt returner but they have not given Pettis a real shot at that spot since his rookie year. Anyone could see that he was not ready for the game speed on returns, but after 2 years, I think he will grasp it much better now. Trent Taylor would also be a competitor, but with his injury history, no way Shanahan risks him returning punts. Aiyuk would also be interesting, but again, the role he plays on offense is already much too big to jeopardize by putting him at PR. Kick returner will be Austin, there is no doubt in my mind. He is maybe the fastest player on the team right now (though JJ Nelson may have something to say about that, and dare I forget Tarvarius Moore), he is explosive and experienced at that spot, and even though McKinnon is competing with him, the same scenario for Taylor applies to McKinnon. I can’t imagine Shanahan risks his prized RB who he has never been able to use in the regular season at kick returner.