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San Francisco 49ers: Full 2017 training camp primer and preview

By Peter Panacy

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Solomon Thomas of Stanford poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (from Bears) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Solomon Thomas of Stanford poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (from Bears) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

49ers Rookies to Watch in Training Camp

A number of first-year 49ers players should catch your attention during training camp.

Remember, the Niners landed two first-round picks in this year’s NFL Draft — defensive end Solomon Thomas and linebacker Reuben Foster.

In addition, San Francisco brought in a number of undrafted free agents which, per NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, ranked second among all NFL UDFA classes.

Not bad.

But here are some rookies you should pay extra-close attention to during camp.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Solomon Thomas

Thomas’ commitments at Stanford kept him out of OTAs and mandatory minicamp. The No. 3 overall pick from the draft could easily be a plug-and-play starter along the Niners defensive line this season.

Reuben Foster

Foster’s surgically repaired shoulder limited him during OTAs and minicamp. The 49ers are expecting Foster to be “more than ready” for the start of training camp.

While Foster fell in the draft, more than a handful of draft experts considered him a top-10 talent to have. And San Francisco has him.

Ahkello Witherspoon

The Niners picked up former Colorado cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. He still has a ways to go to earn a starting job this season. But with depth a major question at the position, San Francisco is hoping the fluid and agile defensive back can adjust to live within the pro ranks quickly.

Joe Williams

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner hand picked running back Joe Williams, who might be in a position to unseat possible No. 1 tailback, Carlos Hyde, as early as Week 1.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 19: Running back Joe Williams #28 of the Utah Utes breaks free and scores a third quarter touchdown in their 30-28 loss to the Oregon Ducks at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 19: Running back Joe Williams #28 of the Utah Utes breaks free and scores a third quarter touchdown in their 30-28 loss to the Oregon Ducks at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

Camp will reveal if Williams is anything close to ready.

Matt Breida

Fellow RB Matt Breida also is a player to watch during camp. The UDFA has already turned heads during various camps leading up to these final sessions, and he could wind up being an upstart on San Francisco’s roster right away.

Lorenzo Jerome

Defensive back Lorenzo Jerome was actually ESPN analyst Todd McShay’s top-ranked UDFA after the draft this year.

With Jimmie Ward and Eric Reid poised to start at free and strong safety, respectively, Jerome could easily be in line to provide immediate backup with a strong camp.