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San Francisco 49ers: Top position battles to watch in Week 2 of training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 11: LaMichael James #23 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball during Rookie Minincamp at the San Francisco 49ers practice facility on May 11, 2012 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 11: LaMichael James #23 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball during Rookie Minincamp at the San Francisco 49ers practice facility on May 11, 2012 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Guard Zane Beadles #68 of the San Francisco 49ers lines up during the second half of the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Guard Zane Beadles #68 of the San Francisco 49ers lines up during the second half of the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Offensive Line

Perhaps the biggest concern the 49ers have entering this season will be how effective their offensive line is.

It’s a unit coming off a poor 2016 campaign, and it also looks mostly the same from last year. Outside of the trade pickup of center Jeremy Zuttah, of course.

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Aside from left tackle Joe Staley, starting jobs remain pretty fluid throughout camp so far. The Sacramento Bee’s Matt Barrows broke down the first- and second-team units on the second day of training camp:

"First team: LT Joe Staley, LG Joshua Garnett, C Daniel Kilgore, RG Brandon Fusco, RT Trent Brown Second team: LT John Theus, LG Zane Beadles, C Jeremy Zuttah, RG Norman Price, RT Garry Gilliam"

Right tackles Trent Brown and Garry Gilliam did split reps with first-team units, though.

One of the interesting points of note is veteran guard Zane Beadles working with the second stringers. Beadles, who started 16 games last year, could easily be pushed to a reserve role this season. His roster spot is relatively safe, considering he has the versatility to play all five spots along the O-line.

Still, it’s hard to find a lot of confidence within this unit, which was such a primary weakness a year ago.

Next: 49ers training camp stock watch after Week 1

Considering how important this up-front group is, milking the best competition out of the O-line will be crucial for the team’s success out of training camp.