Inman: 11 under-the-radar 49ers who are catching my eye at camp
SANTA CLARA — Three practices at 49ers training camp have offered a mere appetizer of what’s to come, from the stars to the scrubs. Here is a premature evaluation of an under-the-radar player (or not an entrenched starter) at each position that’s sparking intrigue:
QUARTERBACK
Brock Purdy’s excused absence Friday (personal reasons) allowed Jones to show his first-string worth, and he impressed, aside from a telegraphed interception Ji’Ayir Brown made on a looping pass to Jordan Watkins. Jones should further entrench himself as Purdy’s top understudy, unless Tanner Mordecai cuts down on his hiccups and rips more completions to the boundaries like he did Friday. That same practice, Jones showed grit as he raced 50 yards downfield as a lead blocker on a Junior Bergen reverse.
RUNNING BACK
Jordan James
As welcoming as it is to see Christian McCaffrey healthy again, this camp must uncover a third-string option behind Isaac Guerendo. James, a fifth-round draft pick, is on his way to unseating Patrick Taylor Jr. and fending off undrafted rookie Corey Kiner. The pads come on Monday for true judgments to be made at this position, especially for blitz-protection ability. One note on Kiner: He spotted a nice lane up and hit it early in Thursday’s practice, then appeared to fumble in the backfield a few snaps later.
WIDE RECEIVER
Isaiah Neyor
Nobody’s made a better catch than Neyor, who dove for an over-the-shoulder grab of Thursday’s 50-yard bomb from Jones. Veteran safety Jason Pinnock was in tight coverage, with three other defensive backs nearby. Neyor is an undrafted rookie out of Nebraska by way of Wyoming and Texas, the latter being where he tore an ACL two years ago. He offers 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash with a 6-foot-4 frame.
TIGHT END
Mason Pline
A slew of familiar reserves are battling to back up George Kittle and Luke Farrell, and Pline is the least experienced and developed of them all. Jake Tonges, Brayden Willis and Ross Dwelley are all roster-worthy. Pline is a 6-7 project who played college basketball and spent last season on the practice squad. He had a drop Friday and is raw, but he’s putting in work, including this offseason at Kittle’s Nashville-area home.
“I’m really excited for Mason. Watching him from last year to this year, he’s a completely different player,” Kittle said before camp at the Tahoe celebrity golf tournament. “It’s hard for him because he’s only played one year of college football. But he works his (butt) off which I really appreciate and he does extra training sessions. Mason’s done a great job taking advantage of stuff and really pushing it.”
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Spencer Burford
He’s making a challenging conversion from starting right guard (16 starts as a 2022 rookie) to Trent Williams’ backup at left tackle. Simply, the 49ers hope Burford can replace Jaylon Moore, who left for the Kansas City Chiefs’ wealthy offer in free agency.
OFFENSIVE INTERIOR
Nick Zakelj
The first crack at replacing Aaron Banks as the starting left guard has gone to Zakelj. Ben Bartch (quadriceps) has looked good in individual conditioning so he should soon come off the Non-Football Injury list.
DEFENSIVE END
Sam Okuayinonu
The 49ers added Mykel Williams and Bryce Huff as edge-rushing complements to Bosa, but they haven’t abandoned Okuayinonu, who’s gotten first-team reps. No one is to sack or touch a quarterback, so Okuayinonu must show in other ways he can be as disruptive as he was when he burst on the scene early last season.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Kalia Davis
Overlooked on the defensive interior is Davis, a 2022 sixth-round pick who has been limited by knee and ankle injuries to 16 career games (one interception, one sack). He flattened rookie guard Connor Colby on a Thursday pass rush and needs more of that speed-and-power combo on a depth chart starring Jordan Elliott, Kevin Givens and rookie draft picks Alfred Collins and C.J. West. Also, undrafted rookie Sebastian Valdez (6-3, 301) could be a hidden gem, as he showed on a Kiner run last week.
LINEBACKER
Nick Martin
Sure, he’s not exactly under-the-radar as a third-round pick and the perceived next Dre Greenlaw. But it’s Dee Winters (and Luke Gifford) lining up next to Fred Warner on the first-string unit. Once pads come on, we’ll see if Martin’s contact courage matches his speed. One play Thursday saw Martin wrap up Kiner with sudden impact on a check-down catch. A more under-the-radar linebacker to watch: Chazz Surratt, formerly of Robert Saleh’s Jets.
CORNERBACK
Chase Lucas
Upton Stout and Tre Brown may be the nickel-back frontrunners, but veteran Chase Lucas could be on his way toward a 53-man roster spot rather than a return to the practice squad. Lucas repeatedly showed well in coverage Friday, and has special teams ability that will be a deciding factor for the roster’s final cuts. A more hidden gem: undrafted rookie Jakob Robinson, who broke up a sideline pass to end Friday’s session.
SAFETY
Richie Grant
Saleh says both safety spots are wide open, and the early money is on newcomer Jason Pinnock to team with incumbent starter Ji’Ayir Brown. Friday, Grant got a shot to start next to Pinnock and more opportunities should be forthcoming. Then again, the 49ers could sign a veteran and plug him into the starting lineup just before the season, and it wouldn’t be the first (or second) time for this regime.