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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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Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Marc Mariani (80) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during the second half at Soldier Field. San Francisco won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Marc Mariani (80) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during the second half at Soldier Field. San Francisco won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback

So how much is too much?

Many 49ers fans are wondering this with the drafting of another three CB’s in the draft. The roster now stands with no fewer than nine defensive backfield players. Not all of them are going to make the final roster. This group is probably going to experience the highest competition throughout the off-season.

The only certainty to make the roster is No. 1 corner Tramaine Brock. After him, the field is wide open. There is probably more certainty in picking the Kentucky Derby winner this weekend over predicting which CB makes it.

Incumbents Kenneth Acker, Keith Reaser and Dontae Johnson haven’t set the world on fire. Acker was given an opportunity to start last season, but got benched. Reaser has never caught on and barely played, and Johnson also didn’t play much either (just three games started).

The new guys of Redmond, Robinson and Iworah will be given a good look in camp. Baalke was clearly focused on improving the speed of this group, with Robinson and Iworah running the 40-yard dash around the 4.4 mark at their pro days. Redmond’s drafting kept Baalke’s favorite other team – Team ACL – intact.

Jan 23 2016; Carson, CA, USA; American Team cornerback Prince Charles Iworah of Western Kentucky (30) breaks up a pass for National Team wide receiver Mike Thomas of Southern Miss (left) during the first half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23 2016; Carson, CA, USA; American Team cornerback Prince Charles Iworah of Western Kentucky (30) breaks up a pass for National Team wide receiver Mike Thomas of Southern Miss (left) during the first half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

The 49ers are unlikely to go with more than five corner’s on the final roster, so look for Brock, Redmond (if healthy), Robinson, Acker and Johnson to make it. If Redmond goes on the PUP list, one of the incumbents gets a reprieve. Iworah, if he blows up camp, could replace either Acker or Johnson or could be a candidate for the punt return role.

These guys need to be tested heavily in camp – the other NFC West teams will no doubt test this group heavily in 2016 because they will be young.

Next: Defensive Line