49ers 2019 roster bubble-watch prediction ahead of preseason Week 1

11 of 11

SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Nick Mullens #4 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts a pass against the Denver Broncos during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Quarterback

Lock: Jimmy Garoppolo

Strong Bubble: Nick Mullens

Weak Bubble: C.J. Beathard

Long Shot: Wilton Speight

Ah, yes. The position battle everyone is looking at during 49ers training camp: backup quarterback.

Jimmy Garoppolo is firmly entrenched as the starter, of course, and the only pressure on him will be to helm the offense effectively enough and live up to what was then a record-setting five-year, $137.5 million deal signed early in 2018.

More from SF 49ers News

Behind Garoppolo, however, things get interesting.

Kyle Shanahan has made it known both C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens will have an equal shot at the backup QB spot. Both have had their moments in camp, good and bad, and the preseason will offer up even more evidence.

But when one looks at the evidence, it’s certainly hard to see how Mullens loses this competition when the games actually matter.

It’s unclear whether or not Shanahan will keep three quarterbacks on his 53-man roster this season. Given the depth needs and talent elsewhere, however, it seems unlikely. Should Beathard lose this competition outright, it spells an uncertain fate for San Francisco’s Round 3 draft pick from 2017.

Unless the Niners decide to “sell high” on Mullens, trading him off and retaining Beathard. But last year’s ACL tear by Garoppolo showed by that might not be the best idea.

Next. Rethinking 49ers' 53-man roster predictions after start of training camp. dark

Either way, the 49ers will have a lot more to base roster decisions off of once the team’s first preseason game — Saturday, Aug. 10 versus the Dallas Cowboys — is in the books.