Training camp is coming up soon for the San Francisco 49ers. It’s a time for players to prove themselves and potentially even lock up a spot on the roster as many coaches put more stock in what they see in practice rather than preseason games.
That means it’s a great opportunity for some players to get off to a hot start and show the 2026 season is going to be a good one.
Let’s look at five players who should be expected to get off to a hot start.
RB Jordan James
The Niners drafted running back Jordan James out of Oregon back in 2025. He was injured most of last year, but by the end of the season, had earned the No. 3 spot on the depth chart and got a little action in garbage time against the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs.
As of right now, he is in direct competition with rookie running back Kaelon Black to back up Christian McCaffrey. Black is the shiny new guy with a lot to prove after many thought the Niners reached when picking him in the third round, but James could make a great impression in training camp and stake an early claim to the backup role.
WR Jacob Cowing
This really is a "prove-it year" for wide receiver Jacob Cowing. He showed some promise as a rookie in 2024, but injury kept him off the field basically all of last season.
The early reports from OTAs were positive, and he figures to have a good chance to make the roster for his special teams skills if nothing else. If Cowing can prove himself, offensively, though, then he could potentially even put some pressure on veterans like Christian Kirk and Demarcus Robinson.
DE Romello Height
The Niners drafted edge rusher Romello Height hoping he could be that third-down, get-to-the-QB edge rusher they’ve been missing in recent years.
Unless the Niners sign someone else, Height has a good chance to grab that role for himself in training camp if he can show he’s explosive off the line and can get after the quarterback.
QB Kurtis Rourke
Not many people will care about the battle for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart at quarterback, but it could have some pretty big implications for what the Niners do at backup quarterback next offseason.
Kurtis Rourke essentially red-shirted his rookie season due to injury, but the Niners like him, so don’t be surprised if he impresses and earns that coveted “emergency” quarterback job behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones.
CB Ephesians Prysock
Cornerback is a position that has quite a bit of depth, and two players who seem pretty set in Deommodore Lenoir and Upton Stout. Renardo Green is not quite as secure, and rookie Ephesians Prysock could put pressure on him with a strong showing in training camp.
Prysock showed a lot of promise at the University of Washington, so he has a great opportunity to get more playing time and impress new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who is viewing the team with fresh eyes.
Football is almost back, and while training camp success doesn’t always lead to success in the regular season, it’s still fascinating to what who is hot and who is not, so keep an eye on these five guys once camp is underway.
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