Niner Noise
FanSided

An early look at 49ers’ best position battles in 2019 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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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 55 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 55 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers still have a number of moves to make in the 2019 NFL Draft, yet these training camp battles are shaping up to be very interesting this summer.

We still have no clue what the San Francisco 49ers‘ 2019 roster will look like, especially with the team yet to select at least six prospects in April’s NFL Draft.

One of them figures to be a defensive lineman, perhaps a top-tier edge rusher to bolster a unit that registered just 37 sacks last year. It’s also likely the Niners add a wide receiver after no 49ers wideout reached 500 receiving yards in 2018.

A safety and a cornerback could also spike what looks to be a pretty enticing training camp for more than a handful of positional spots this summer.

Right now, though, we can already gauge some of the prime camp competitions that will take place this August. Some battles will determine depth, while others will have direct influence on the 53-man roster itself.

Here is an early look at which camp positional battles are poised to be provocative in training camp this year.

Wide Receiver

Considering the lack of yardage San Francisco wideouts posted in 2018, hardly anyone’s job should truly be considered safe entering this season.

Second-year pro Dante Pettis‘ future is safe, particularly after he finished strong over the final five games last year. After that, though, things get a bit murkier.

Marquise Goodwin had a down year in 2018 a year after coming close to 1,000 receiving yards. He was beset by injuries and family tragedy, so there’s a good chance he bounces back. But what his role ends up being is anyone’s guess.

Particularly if the Niners add yet another pass catcher, or two in the NFL Draft.

The 49ers also brought aboard veteran wideout Jordan Matthews on a one-year deal, which adds fuel to this camp battle. And one should expect both Trent Taylor and Richie James to have a hefty competition for starting slot duties.

There’s an excellent chance this positional group sees plenty of shakeups between now and the start of the regular season, and this camp battle should be exciting to watch.