3 sneaky important 49ers storylines to watch at OTAs

The 49ers’ first week of organized team activities kicked off on Monday, and there are some subtle-but-important developments you’ll want to watch.

You’re probably already pouring over all kinds of overreactions from the first two days of San Francisco 49ers organized team activities, or OTAs, which is somewhat humorous since day one of these padless practices wasn’t exactly a practice session at all.

Even then, day two is more of a general ramp-up period.

But, being how things are, there will be no shortage of overreaction and overanalysis during the nine days of OTA workouts, which will be the last point of note for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad until mandatory minicamp later next month.

All that said, though, OTAs are still important. It’ll be the first on-field exercise to help determine the pecking order for training camp. There will be early risers and fallers, too, which will go a long way towards determining the 53-man roster for the upcoming 2022 season.

A number of red-hot storylines already existed heading into OTAs, and no, they didn’t all have to involve still-absent All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

Let’s shake things up a bit, though, and look at some of the less-discussed but still awfully important storylines fans will want to observe during OTAs over the next two or so weeks.

49ers sneaky storyline No. 3: Battle for the backup tight end

Few will care who’ll be the primary player to support All-Pro tight end George Kittle in 2022.

Perhaps they should, though, as Kittle does come with a fairly lengthy injury history despite remaining mostly healthy last season. Two seasons ago, the Niners had to rely on No. 2 tight end Ross Dwelley to help shoulder the load when Kittle missed half the year with injuries.

However, in the wake of Dwelley both having a four-catch, 51-yard season a year ago and San Francisco adding veteran tight end Tyler Kroft to the offseason roster, one can see how there’s a little bit of a competition here.

Joining Dwelley and Kroft are others, too, who hope to make a name for themselves at the position: Charlie Woerner, Jordan Matthews, Troy Fumagalli, Tanner Hudson and Garrett Walston.

The bulk of the latter group is for camp purposes only, of course. But considering Kittle has played a full season just once in his pro career (2018), it might be wise for San Francisco to sharpen the depth behind him as much as possible.