Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Training camp battles to watch at each position

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 02: Patrick Willis #52 works out during the San Francisco 49ers training camp at their training complex on August 2, 2010 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 02: Patrick Willis #52 works out during the San Francisco 49ers training camp at their training complex on August 2, 2010 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Quarterback: C.J. Beathard vs. Nick Mullens

The 49ers have to be excited about getting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on the field again after his devastating ACL tear early in 2018.

But no one is challenging Garoppolo for the right to start. Instead, the key battle to watch here is between Jimmy G’s backups, C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens.

Beathard regressed last season, casting more doubt on whether or not the Niners made the right choice using a third-round draft pick on him back in 2017. A minor injury ultimately led to the undrafted Mullens getting the start in Week 9 last year — a role he never gave up throughout the rest of the season.

Looking solely at the on-field results, there’s little reason to assume Mullens loses the battle for the No. 2 job behind Garoppolo.

That said, even winning could put Mullens in a precarious spot. The 49ers aren’t likely to keep three QBs on their 53-man roster, meaning either Mullens or Beathard could be moved by Week 1. But Mullens would ultimately have the higher trade value, and a training camp win could increase his stock even more.

Next. Predicting winners and losers from 49ers training camp. dark

Either way, paying attention to the bout between Mullens and Beathard should be something every Niners fan does when camp kicks off in late July.