4 vital storylines to watch during Week 2 of 49ers OTAs

49ers OTA storyline No. 4: How will Ji'Ayir Brown fare?

Ronnie Bell was a seventh-round pick who could have been drafted much earlier. The 49ers, meanwhile, had to trade up earlier in Round 3 to ensure their top pick from the draft, former Penn State defensive back Ji'Ayir Brown, would end up in red and gold.

Like Bell, Brown was solid during rookie minicamp. And he might have a significantly easier road to starting than the former, too.

Niners Wire's Kyle Madson pointed out that Brown could potentially unseat veteran Tashaun Gipson for the starting free safety job this season even though Gipson has 11 years of NFL experience over the rookie.

Considering young defensive backs often struggle early in their pro careers, it might be premature to assume Brown does this, but it's on the table.

So is Brown potentially starting at nickel cornerback, too, where he'd have to outperform one of the Niners' free-agent pickups, Isaiah Oliver, who is also showing up well during OTAs.

Regardless, Brown is going to be a player worth watching during these practice sessions, and it'll be notable tracking his early trajectory.

San Francisco's OTA sessions this week are May 30 and 31, then June 2.

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