Niner Noise
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Predicting 49ers 2016 Depth Chart Amid Training Camp

By Peter Panacy

Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Tight End

V1.0 Assessment:

Starter: Garrett Celek

H-Back: Bruce Miller

V2.0 Assessment:

Starter: Vance McDonald

H-Back: Bruce Miller

A notable change here. Vance McDonald has passed up Garrett Celek for the No. 1 tight end job in this mid-camp prediction.

Why? Well, Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat described some of McDonald’s notable efforts recently:

"[McDonald] caught five passes and dropped none during team drills while primarily running shallow crossing routes and deep corner routes. The Niners clearly want use his speed and get him into “space,” which is the smart way to use him. McDonald can’t catch passes in traffic."

McDonald has had good training camps and preseasons before, so don’t lock this prediction in stone, especially when the regular season starts.

Head coach Chip Kelly has had some good things to say about former fullback, turned tight end Bruce Miller.

“I think the one thing we didn’t know about him is what a real savvy route runner he is and he’s done a really nice job,” Kelly said of Miller, via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. “A lot of the things that Bruce had done in the past was just flat routes out of the backfield and maybe an occasional wheel down the sideline, but to be able to operate in the middle of the field and kind of win matchups with linebackers and things like that, he’s really shown a nice knack for that.”

Miller should still occupy an H-back role in Kelly’s offense.

Next: Wide Receiver No. 1