49ers training camp: Each position's top battle to watch in 2023
By Peter Panacy
Top 49ers defensive line battle: No. 2 edge rusher
Players in the mix: Drake Jackson, Austin Bryant, Clelin Ferrell, Kerry Hyder, Robert Beal Jr.
There are plenty of small intriguing defensive line battles to watch in training camp, but none come close to helping determine who'll be All-Pro edge Nick Bosa's opposite linemate.
Bosa had a league-high 18.5 sacks a year ago, but no one else on the 49ers roster had more than five. And with defensive ends Samson Ebukam and Charles Omenihu leaving via free agency, the door is open for someone, anyone to take over that No. 2 outside pass-rushing role.
The Niners would ideally like second-year pro Drake Jackson to do this, especially after he impressed early in 2022 but flamed out down the stretch due to a lack of conditioning. But there's another rookie hot on his tail, Robert Beal Jr., who might have as much promise but with more physical upside.
Then, of course, San Francisco has a number of castoff defensive linemen wishing to resurrect their careers, namely with Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant, who are looking to continue line coach Kris Kocurek's recent history of doing such with underachievers.
Kerry Hyder, who is also in the mix, is one such success story.