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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Rookies Who Could Start in Week 1 of 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) runs drills with defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie (63) 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 with defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie (63) 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 Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end JaMichael Winston (6) 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 Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end JaMichael Winston (6) during first half action at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Tackle Fahn Cooper

Drafted in Round 5, No. 174 Overall

The 49ers might have drafted fellow rookie lineman John Theus just ahead of former Ole Miss tackle Fahn Cooper, but the latter projects to be a better prospect at the next level.

Remember, Cooper backed up Round 1 draftee tackle Laremy Tunsil for a good period of time during Tunsil’s suspension. And Cooper did plenty to prove himself worthy of the job.

San Francisco’s right tackle situation is precarious at best. Two of last year’s right tackle starters, Erik Pears and Trent Brown, could emerge as starting-caliber candidates. Pears may not be the favorite but, with Brown reportedly out of shape for the start of the 49ers’ offseason workouts, he may be the better option of the two to start the year.

But don’t sleep on Cooper.

He may be more of a dark-horse candidate to start, but Cooper’s physicality is something of worth to the right side of the O-line.

Why He’ll Start

Cooper will have a long way to go in order to nab a starting job. But if Pears and/or Brown fail to impress enough, there will be enough reason to give the rookie an extended look.

Why He Won’t Start

Like Brown, Cooper was reported not to be in the best of shape for the start of offseason activities, according to Ryan Sakamoto of NinerFans.com.

Even if Cooper gets into football shape by the start of Week 1, he’ll still have a tough hill to climb before overtaking the guys in front of him on the depth chart.

Next: WR/TE Devon Cajuste