5 best overreactions to 49ers training camp after first week

One week of 49ers training camp is in the books, and there are some notable takeaways. But there are also some pretty hefty overreactions, too.

It’s a relief San Francisco 49ers training camp is back, especially in light of what was a hectic offseason marred by quarterback-trade controversy, trade requests from star players and anything that goes into being the No. 3 overall NFL Draft pick the previous offseason.

With one full week of practices in the books, there aren’t a lot of grand-sweeping takeaways that can be mustered. Players haven’t even put on pads yet, so the first camp sessions looked far more like organized team activities or minicamps than anything else.

That’ll change next week, however, but we’re still left with a good deal of evidence from the Niners’ first four practices.

A lot of pretty insane overreactions, too.

Let’s break down five of those notable overreactions and debate whether or not they’re totally legitimate heading into the second week of 49ers training camp.

49ers training camp overreaction No. 1: Secondary is going to be elite

A year ago, the Niners’ defensive backfield was a notable problem, primarily at cornerback. In camp so far, San Francisco has watched this weakness turn into a strength.

Safety Talanoa Hufanga isn’t giving up big plays, while cornerback Emmanuel Moseley has looked the part of a lockdown defensive back.

Without question, though, the 49ers’ biggest standout at camp so far has been their top free-agent pickup, cornerback Charvarius Ward, who either records an interception during each practice or completely sticks to his receiver to the point where quarterbacks don’t want to target him.

The net results, especially in the turnover-generating department, have been exemplary:

Early in camp, former Niners cornerback Richard Sherman praised San Francisco’s defensive backfield, so perhaps the idea of this group being elite throughout all of 2022 isn’t that big of an overreaction.

Granted, San Francisco hasn’t gone up against an elite-level veteran quarterback, which it will this season, and the secondary hasn’t had to face off against All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel yet either, as he continues to await his lucrative contract extension.

So, the 49ers’ defensive backfield might not emulate that historic 1994 secondary anytime soon, but at least it’s showing to be a massive improvement over what was seen a year ago.