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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Position Battles to Watch in Training Camp

By Trevor Irvine

August 1, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during training camp at Levi
August 1, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during training camp at Levi /
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Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) prepares to hike the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) prepares to hike the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Line

Please, please, please, please, please, please don’t let Devey, Pears and Marcus Martin anywhere near the 53-man roster for 2016. Per Pro Football Focus, these guys ranked a plus-37.5, plus-37.5 and a plus-30.1 (from a zero to 100 scale), which ranked them tied for 73rd and dead-last out of 81 qualified guards/centers.

These rankings make pathetic look good.

This line gave up a whopping 53 sacks in 2015. This cannot happen again if the 49ers want to win football games. Baalke had no other option but to bring in fresh bodies. Despite whether you feel Garnett was a reach or not in the first round, offensive guard was the major weakness that needed to be addressed.

The 49ers now have two plug-and-play starters at guard in free agent signing Zane Beadles and Garnett. Say what you will about their play previously, but they will be an improvement over Devey and an unmotivated Alex Boone (whose money demands didn’t match his play on the field).

The offensive tackle spot now has solid depth with the additions of Theus and Cooper. We can finally say bye-bye to Pears and let the competition reign. Joe Staley will be Staley, but the right tackle spot is up for grabs. Brown deserves the first shot at it, but if either Theus or Cooper just wow in camp, this wouldn’t be an upset.

The most important fact is the line now has quality depth. We don’t have to fear an injury to Brown brings in Pears, who before his benching last season led the NFL in sacks allowed.

Assuming the 49ers will carry seven offensive linemen into Week 1, it should be Staley, Beadles, Daniel Kilgore, Garnett, Brown, Theus and Cooper.

The 49ers offense clicked when it had a beast of an O-line from 2011-2013. Bring back the beast!

Next: Cornerback