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49ers training camp 2018: 5 players who have impressed the most so far

ByPeter Panacy|
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers is wearing jersey #44 while participating in drill during practice on September 11, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Hayne was wearing the #44 jersey for the 49ers scout team preparing for Monday nights game against the Minnesota Vikings. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers is wearing jersey #44 while participating in drill during practice on September 11, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Hayne was wearing the #44 jersey for the 49ers scout team preparing for Monday nights game against the Minnesota Vikings. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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CORVALLIS, OR – SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OR – SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

No. 1: Wide Receiver Dante Pettis

Speaking of route running, the No. 1 player on Niner Noise’s list of the most impressive guys from training camp so far needs no introduction to the topic.

Rookie wideout Dante Pettis was arguably college football’s best route runner in 2017. And while some may see him a reach by the 49ers at No. 44 overall in the NFL Draft this year, Pettis’ fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense makes him a potent weapon.

The first two days of camp didn’t go so well for Pettis. But all that changed once the pads were donned. It caught Niner Noise’s attention, of course, and we broke down earlier why we thought Pettis has been San Francisco’s biggest camp standout after the first week.

Fortunately, Pettis’ stock has continued to rise into Week 2.

The play below, from day six of training camp, is arguably one of the best to illustrate Pettis’ ankle-breaking agility:

Pettis has been doing stuff like this all training camp. Granted, it will be interesting to see how he fares when defenses start pressing him at the line of scrimmage. At 195 pounds, it’s understandable why some could question his physicality.

As long as he gets separation, though, Pettis is nearly impossible to cover. That’s going to be a key difference maker for the 49ers offense this season.

And considering he’s a rookie and took a mere two so-so days to climb to the top, he has to be considered the No. 1 player on this list.

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