49ers roster bubble watch on the eve of training camp 2023
By Peter Panacy
49ers defensive backfield roster bubble
Lock: Ji'Ayir Brown*, Talanoa Hufanga, George Odum, Isaiah Oliver, Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir
Strong bubble: Tashaun Gipson Sr., Myles Hartsfield, Darrell Luter Jr.*, Ambry Thomas, Samuel Womack III
Weak bubble: D'Shawn Jamison*, Qwuantrezz Knight, Tayler Hawkins
Long shot: A.J. Parker, Avery Young
San Francisco does have some provocative battles within its secondary this training camp.
Can the rookie, Ji'Ayir Brown, beat out veteran Tashaun Gipson for the free safety spot? That's the long-term prospectus at least. And who wins out at the No. 2 boundary cornerback spot opposite Charvarius Ward? Will it be Deommodore Lenoir, having finished in that role last season? Or could it be a surprise like rookie Darrell Luter Jr. or potentially even Qwauntrezz Knight?
About the only roles set within the secondary are at strong safety with Talanoa Hufanga, the No. 1 cornerback spot with Ward and at nickel corner with Isaiah Oliver, whom the 49ers gave $6.76 million on a two-year deal.
Odum, a special teams ace, is safe as a backup. But the rest of the secondary is awfully fluid and will make for a provocative camp battle.