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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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Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) leaves the game as quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) enters the game during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) leaves the game as quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) enters the game during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback

Ah, the good ol’ QB conundrum. Is it Kaepernick for 2016? Or is it Gabbert? Is Kap being traded or isn’t he? Well, it sure looks like now that Kap is staying as a member of the 49ers.

Kaepernick needs to get himself healthy after his multiple off-season surgeries. Right now Gabbert is the presumptive starter. The $64 question is who does Kelly believe is his starting QB? He likes his mobile QBs who can throw accurately. Right now Gabbert is the more accurate passer of the two. But Kelly has reportedly been “infatuated” with Kap (and vice versa) and excited to coach him to achieve greater heights.

Though the salary difference between the two is a smidgen noticeable (nearly $12 million versus $2 million) it is realistic knowing the personality of Kelly that he could care two hoots about the money situation. Whoever is healthy and performs better in camp will start Week 1.

The 49ers did add former Louisiana Tech University QB Jeff Driskel in the sixth round. Though he was picked purely for depth and project purposes, he has the characteristics that Kelly likes. It would be very surprising to not see him make the final roster as the third string QB.

Though the 49ers don’t usually carry three QBs, with Kap’s injury history they will want the insurance policy this year. The other QB’s in Dylan Thompson and Thad Lewis will be mere camp bodies and probable scout team candidates.

Whoever wins the job this season needs to remain the starter for the season unless there is an unmitigated disaster at the position. Whoever plays better in camp, learns the playbook, and can run the offensive schemes better, deserves the chance to start.

The one thing going for the QB this season will be to not have Geep Chryst calling the plays. Kelly will no doubt be confident to throw the ball down the field and utilize his receivers properly, including calling plays where the QB will throw the ball past the first down marker.

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These camp battles will be fascinating to watch. There is a nice mix now of experience and fresh blood, and more overall talent on the roster. Whoever ends up on the final roster will deserve to be there. All we can hope for is this better strength can lead to more wins on the field in 2016.

Next: Best, Worst Picks by 49ers in the 2016 NFL Draft

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com, Sports-Reference.com and profootballfocus.com unless otherwise indicated.