49ers 2019 training camp: Predicting the biggest winners and losers

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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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers sits on the field after throwing an incomplete pass at the end of the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Loser: Quarterback C.J. Beathard

While many will be focusing on just how well Jimmy Garoppolo looks after his 2018 ACL injury, there’s a key training camp battle to be had for the No. 2 quarterbacking job, one featuring Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard.

Kyle Shanahan has repeatedly said he’ll give both Mullens and Beathard an equal shot at the backup spot behind Garoppolo.

But is there actually a competition here?

As KNBR 680’s Al Sacco pointed out, nearly all the meaningful on-field stats favor Mullens, while Beathard almost looked as if he regressed in year two of his pro career.

Sure, there are reasons why Beathard winds up winning the job. Yet those seem more “what if?” than actual realities.

And with Shanahan likely only keeping two quarterbacks on his 53-man roster, a training camp loss for Beathard would heavily indicate he’ll be somewhere else by the time Week 1 rolls around.