Garoppolo and Co. look to build on exciting finish
Offense has upgraded personnel; defensive front a key component
SANTA CLARA >> More points will be scored. Passes will be threaded on target. Runs will be broken inside and outside. The 49ers offense will be captivating, or, well, Kyle Shanahan just isn’t Kyle Shanahan. Right?
Jimmy Garoppolo is viewed as the long-sought elixir to the 49ers’ offensive woes, and to parlay off last season’s 5-0 starting debut, a stronger supporting cast awaits him as training camp starts Wednesday.
Defensively, Richard Sherman’s comeback won’t dictate how the 49ers perform. Nor will Reuben Foster’s tackling ability. If DeForest Buckner anchors the defensive line’s necessary emergence, then the 49ers indeed have a group capable of sharing the spotlight. If it’s Arik Armstead or Solomon Thomas actually keying the defensive front, then that’ll work, too.
Here’s a closer look at each position group:
Quarterback
STARTER >> Jimmy Garoppolo. BACKUPS >> C.J. Beathard, Nick Mullens, Jack Heneghan. ANALYSIS >> Let’s not rubberneck at whoever the world’s most eligible bachelor dates. Garoppolo knows his top priority now is to enhance his on-field chemistry for a playoff contender. He reported to the facility at least a week early in impressive shape, and with a far better understanding of his little black book, er, playbook. Teammates dig his upbeat leadership, easy-going ways and talented arm.
Beathard, having shown toughness and moxie as a rookie, should settle in as QB2 for a couple seasons before he can get his own Garoppolo-esque shot elsewhere.
Running back
STARTER >> Jerick McKinnon.
BACKUPS >> Matt Breida, Joe Williams, Raheem Mostert, Jeremy McNichols, Jeff Wilson. ANALYSIS >> McKinnon should use this month wisely to rev up for a busy season, where he can emerge as the 49ers’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Frank Gore in 2014 and perhaps stoke memories of Roger Craig’s ultimate, dual-threat season of 1985 (1,050 rushing yards, 1,016 receiving). Breida, an upstanding pro as an undrafted rookie, figures to remain the No. 2 back unless Joe Williams can surprise with improved consistency and urgency. A fourth running back must be a special-teams ace (see: Mostert).
Wide receiver
STARTERS >> Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor.
BACKUPS >> Dante Pettis, Kendrick Bourne, Aldrick Robinson, Victor Bolden Jr., Aaron Burbridge, Max McCaffrey, Richie James, Steven Dunbar. ANALYSIS >> An ideal camp means, (a), Garçon develops crucial rapport with Garoppolo, (b), Goodwin alleviates concerns about Garoppolo’s deep ball, (c), Trent Taylor smoothly returns from back surgery, (d), Dante Pettis proves capable of starting anywhere, and, (e), Kendrick Bourne delivers big plays in the red zone. Shanahan finds ways to maximize receivers’ strengths, so other roster hopefuls must maximize their opportunities and shine on special teams. Burbridge and McCaffrey could surprise in that regard.
Tight end
STARTERS >> George Kittle, Garrett Celek.
BACKUPS >> Cole Hikutini, Cole Wick, Ross Dwelley. ANALYSIS >> You don’t honestly think Bill Belichick would export Rob Gronkowski to reunite with Garoppolo? Instead, look for a banner year from Kittle, barring more injury setbacks, such as a hamstring issue that wrecked his rookie training camp. Celek has earned Garoppolo’s trust, and let’s see if Hikutini is ready to emerge as an improved option.
Fullback
STARTER >> Kyle Juszczyk. BACKUP >> Malcolm Johnson.
ANALYSIS >> Juszczyk is gunning for his third straight Pro Bowl, and he should make it with
his versatility as a lead blocker and understated but deft receiver.
Tackle
STARTERS >> Joe Staley
(left), Mike McGlinchey (right).
BACKUPS >> Garry Gilliam, Darrell Williams, Andrew Lauderdale, Jamar McGloster, Pace Murphy. ANALYSIS >> Staley turns 34 on Aug. 30 (exhibition finale vs. Chargers), and last season revitalized him so much he made the Pro Bowl. He’s been an ideal mentor to McGlinchey, the No. 11 overall pick who still must sign his contract. McGlinchey’s 6-foot-8 frame is as tall as his right-tackle predecessor Trent Brown, but McGlinchey is more agile and about 60 pounds lighter at 315. Gilliam returns as the swing tackle. Williams has intriguing potential.
Center/guard
STARTERS >> Weston Richburg (center), Laken Tomlinson (left guard), Jonathan Cooper (right guard). BACKUPS >> Joshua Garnett, Mike Person, Erik Magnuson, Coleman Shelton (G/C), Alan Knott (G/C), Najee Toran. ANALYSIS >> It’s a leap to project Cooper as the starting right guard when his knee wasn’t medically cleared to practice in the offseason program, but with his experience and $4 million pay day, he’s a strong candidate. Garnett drew praise from coaches for how he responded from his body makeover, and the 2016 first-round pick still must prove a fit in this system. Person’s ability to play right guard and back up Richburg helps his cause, as is the case with Magnuson. As for Richburg and Tomlinson, they got paid this offseason to fortify the interior and protect Garoppolo.
Defensive line
STARTERS >> DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas, Earl Mitchell.
BACKUPS >> Jeremiah Attaochu, Cassius Marsh, Ronald Blair, Sheldon Day, D.J. Jones, Niles Scott, Kentavius Street, Jullian Taylor, Blaine Woodson. ANALYSIS >> The honeymoon is over for the 201517 top picks (Armstead, Buckner and Thomas) as they must break through as a force. While Bucknerhas shown the most consistency on the interior, Armstead is moving from a pass-rush spot to more of a “big end” run stopper, and Thomas is going to bounce from the edge to interior. The big dilemma is who can be a reliable pass rusher, and if it’s not from that trio, then Marsh and Attaochu must emerge. Mitchell brings a veteran presence and he’ll be pushed at nose tackle by Day and Jones. While Street sits out his rookie year (knee), Taylorcould be a seventhround surprise.
Outside linebacker
STARTER >> Eli Harold. BACKUPS >> Dekoda Watson, Pita Taumoepenu. ANALYSIS >> Harold’s rookie contract is coming to an end so he needs to up his tally from five sacks in three seasons. Watson has special-teams prowess. Taumoepenu has bulked up some but is it enough after an invisible rookie year?
Inside linebacker
STARTERS >> Malcolm Smith, Reuben Foster. BACKUPS >> Brock Coyle, Korey Toomer, Fred Warner, Elijah Lee, Mark Nzeocha.
ANALYSIS >> Foster will open the season with a two-game suspension, and the 49ers can cover for him with respectable options, whether it’s plugging in veterans Coyle and Toomer or unveiling Warner, an enticing rookie. Smith has waited a year for his first contact drills, having torn a pectoral muscle early in last summer’s camp.
Cornerback
STARTERS >> Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon.
BACKUPS >> Jimmie Ward, K’Waun Williams, Greg Mabin, Tyvis Powell, D.J. Reed, Tarvarius Moore, Tarvarus McFadden, C.J. Goodwin, Emmanuel Moseley.
ANALYSIS >> All eyes are on Sherman’s repaired Achilles and how he moves with six weeks to rehearse for the season opener. If Sherman’s healthy, Ward’s move back to cornerback (and to the bench) is awkward considering how hard coaches sold his ability as a free safety last year, but he’s versatile and valuable. Ward might also push Williams (and Reed) as a slot corner. Powell, Mabin and Moore are poised to win roster spots, too.
Safeties
STARTERS >> Jaquiski Tartt, Adrian Colbert. BACKUPS >> Ward, Reed, Antone Exum, Chanceller James, Don Jones, Terrell Williams.
ANALYSIS >> The NFL shouldn’t sleep on this safety tandem of Tartt and Colbert, who are physical and rangy with instincts to attack the ball. Colbert unseated the oft-injured Ward last season as a high-intensity rookie. James looked sharp last summer before a knee injury so his return will be worth watching.
Specialists
STARTERS >> Robbie Gould (kicker), Bradley Pinion (punter), Kyle Nelson (long snapper). Backups: Jeff Locke (punter). ANALYSIS >> Pro Bowl-caliber unit at all three spots. Locke, a left-footer, gives returners a different spin.