49ers starters who could be benched with a bad training camp
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: 49ers edge Drake Jackson
Perhaps a bit of a reach here, as the Niners want nothing more than second-year pro Drake Jackson to assume the opposite-end edge-rushing spot on the other end from All-Pro Nick Bosa.
Jackson started off strong his rookie year, but a lack of conditioning led to him being a healthy scratch for much of the games down the stretch and into the postseason. Now, Jackson appears to be significantly stronger heading into 2023, and that'll bode well for him.
It doesn't automatically translate into positive reps during training camp, though.
Bosa is holding out amid a contract dispute, but San Francisco has other pass-rushers who can take over for Jackson, should he struggle. Austin Bryant, Clelin Ferrell, Robert Beal Jr. and even Kerry Hyder are among those who'd love an increase in reps, and they'd love it more if they ended up getting the start in 2023 over someone like Jackson.
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