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San Francisco 49ers: Projecting Each Rookie’s Role in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) runs drills during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) runs drills during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Ryan Buchanan (9) looks to pass as offensive lineman Fahn Cooper (74) blocks and Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end JaMichael Winston (6) pursues during first half action at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Ryan Buchanan (9) looks to pass as offensive lineman Fahn Cooper (74) blocks and Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end JaMichael Winston (6) pursues during first half action at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Lineman Fahn Cooper

Right tackle is a position of concern entering 2016. At this point, it doesn’t look as if retired veteran RT Anthony Davis will be returning, so the 49ers are going to have to explore other options.

Second-year pro Trent Brown is a candidate to start, but he’s still raw and underdeveloped. So that leaves the door open for a veteran like Erik Pears as well as Ole Miss’ Fahn Cooper.

Cooper amicably backed up, and relieved during suspension, standout tackle Laremy Tunsil. That’s a good pedigree to have, and it should make Cooper a nice dark-horse candidate to emerge as a Week 1 starter at the right tackle spot.

Projection

The 49ers may not immediately trust Cooper to start right away, even if he looks the best out of every RT candidate during the preseason, so it’s more likely he winds up being a reserve option the first few weeks of the season.

But if right tackle emerges as a problem for San Francisco at any point after the first few weeks of the regular season, don’t be shocked to see Cooper thrown into the mix.

Next: John Theus