49ers training camp: 4 juiciest depth-chart battles to watch
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers have the bulk of their starters set for both offense and defense entering training camp, but these four depth-chart battles remain wide open.
It’s getting to that point in the offseason when we can begin waking up the casual San Francisco 49ers fans and inform them about which position battles are going to be the ones to watch when training camp kicks off on Tuesday, July 26 outside Levi’s Stadium.
There are plenty to monitor, yes. The backup quarterback job between Nate Sudfeld and the rookie, Brock Purdy, will garner some attention. How a revamped offensive line pans out will be of interest, too.
However, those battles might not be quite as competitive as some of the others that’ll pan out between the start of training camp and the beginning of the preseason in August.
So, as part of Niner Noise’s pre-camp preview, let’s break down what we think will be the most hotly contested training camp battles this summer.
49ers juicy camp battle No. 4: Nickel cornerback
The entirety of the the Niners’ cornerback situation will be of interest in training camp, particularly with the veteran, Charvarius Ward, looking to assert himself atop the depth chart. The opposite boundary player could be filled by either Emmanuel Moseley or Jason Verrett, perhaps the latter if he’s fully recovered from last year’s ACL tear.
But that’s not overly spicy.
Instead, San Francisco will need to identify its best option for nickel cornerback in the wake of losing K’Waun Williams in free agency to the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason.
Moseley could feasibly occupy this spot, and it wouldn’t be out of question if it happened. But the 49ers spent a fifth-round NFL Draft pick on former Toledo defensive back Samuel Womack, who not only emulates a lot of what Williams did for the Niners but also impressed during padless practices earlier this offseason.
Womack won’t be handed the job outright, though, as Moseley and fellow corner Darqueze Dennard are squarely in the mix, too. Same with another veteran, Dontae Johnson, who has lined up all over the secondary.
Regardless, look for this to be a hotly contested position battle in camp with the winner assuming a significant role.