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San Francisco 49ers: Speculating the biggest position battles in 2018 training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over Tramaine Brock #26 during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over Tramaine Brock #26 during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns scrambles while under pressure from defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns scrambles while under pressure from defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Edge Rusher

Arguably the 49ers’ top remaining need this offseason.

A year ago, San Francisco tied for 26th with just 30 sacks. After parting ways with veteran EDGE Elvis Dumervil, who led the team in sacks in 2017, the Niners have some serious question marks from the right defensive end side.

Holdover options from last year include Arik Armstead, who missed much of the year with a hand injury, Ronald Blair and Pita Taumoepenu. Blair missed substantial time with injury too, and Taumoepenu was inactive for all but two games his rookie season.

So it makes some sense the 49ers brought aboard former Los Angeles Chargers EDGE Jeremiah Attaochu on a one-year deal.

Attaochu comes with injury concerns too, and his tenure with the Chargers was underwhelming at best. Especially for a former second-round draft pick. But he did register six sacks back in 2015, and a change in scenery could do him some good.

Still, this is a position we should expect the Niners to address some more during the draft, serving to make this camp competition all the more interesting.