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San Francisco 49ers: Looking at locks and bubble-watch players after the NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback

Matt Barkley, C.J. Beathard, Brian Hoyer

San Francisco went from having zero quarterbacks on its roster earlier this offseason to basically knowing its depth chart long before training camp even begins.

Veteran journeyman QB Brian Hoyer will start this season, barring injury. And the only real competition will be for his backup. And this falls between free-agent addition Matt Barkley and third-round draftee C.J. Beathard.

Beathard was a bit of a surprising pickup, especially considering the Niners traded back up into Round 3 to land him. Apparently though, Beathard was the lone QB head coach Kyle Shanahan wanted in this year’s draft class.

Despite this, Beathard won’t have a shot at starting early in this season. But it’s also doubtful Shanahan risks placing him on the practice squad, especially if he feels the quarterback has all the traits he’s looking for under center.

More from Niner Noise

So that likely means the Niners keep three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. If anything, Barkley could be an odd man out.

That’s a remote possibility though.

Locks: C.J. Beathard, Brian Hoyer

Good Shape: Matt Barkley

Niner Noise will start exploring the best position battles to watch during OTAs, training camp and the preseason this year.

A few positions — quarterback being one of them — are all but set. The only question will be for depth.

Next: 49ers NFL Draft Recap: San Francisco's Best & Worst Picks from 2017

Until practices start taking place, which moves do you think the 49ers will make as they try to trim the roster down to 53 players?