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San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 too-early roster predictions for 2019 rookies

By Jeremy Wohlfart

PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Kaden Smith #82 of the Stanford Cardinal catches a touchdown pass while covered by Shaun Crawford #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Stanford Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Kaden Smith #82 of the Stanford Cardinal catches a touchdown pass while covered by Shaun Crawford #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Stanford Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Offensive linemen Keegan Render #69 and Ross Reynolds #59 of the Iowa Hawkeyes carry the Heroes Trophy off the field after their match-up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Offensive linemen Keegan Render #69 and Ross Reynolds #59 of the Iowa Hawkeyes carry the Heroes Trophy off the field after their match-up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Offensive Guard Ross Reynolds makes a challenge for a starting role

It’s been pretty apparent the most intriguing undrafted rookie the 49ers picked up after the draft was Iowa offensive guard Ross Reynolds. He has a skill set and body that should have made him draftable, but he fell to the UDFA ranks where San Francisco snapped him up.

For Reynolds, this is a good thing, because guard is one of the positional battles which promises to be a big competition when the real training camp begins.

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Mike Person has one guard spot sewn up after a solid season. Laken Tomlinson‘s hold on the other spot, however, is shaky at best and nonexistent at worst.

Reynolds took his time getting a starting job with the Hawkeyes, but held up well. He specializes in the running game, but has upside to improve in the passing game too.

Niner Noise’s Peter Panacy wrote Reynolds would make the 49ers roster. I’m prepared to go further and say he will challenge hard for that remaining guard spot.

Not convinced? Let’s take a closer look at the roster.

Tomlinson has been unimpressive, Erik Magnuson is out of favor, Joshua Garnett‘s fifth-year option was turned down by the 49ers and signee Ben Garland has no bigger claim to the role than Reynolds does.

Tomlinson’s camp and preseason play are the only things which will keep him as starter. Whether he does or not, I think Reynolds is going to nip at his heels and make the Niners think hard.