49ers preseason opener: Trey Lance, rookie class ready to debut against Chiefs

SANTA CLARA – This 49ers’ rookie class is one of the most important in the franchise’s 75-year history, simply because of quarterback Trey Lance’s arrival with a costly No. 3 overall draft pick.

His fellow draft picks have the makings of rising stars, too.

They make their professional debut Saturday, when the 49ers host the Kansas City Chiefs in an exhibition-season opener at Levi’s Stadium. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m.

“I’ve already got a play in my head: If it comes to me, I’m going to get the ball,” cornerback Ambry Thomas said Thursday. “Once I see that play, I’m going to get it.”

Here are what fans there and watching from home should look for from the 49ers’ rookies, and what coaches want to see, too:

Quarterback Trey Lance (No. 5)

First round, North Dakota State

Analysis: Lance’s dual-threat ability often has wowed through two weeks of training camp practices, albeit on the second-string unit. Jimmy Garoppolo will start this game for a ceremonial cameo of just one series, or two maximum. Lance has shown a nice touch on deep passes and proper zip on throws to the boundary or into tight windows. He’s a fluid runner who’ll take run on zone-read plays that were last utilized extensively by the 49ers with Colin Kaepernick.

Coach’s quote: “You want to see him go out there and operate. You want to see no procedural penalties, and you want to see him have success and failure and learn from both.” – Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel

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Guard Aaron Banks (No. 65)

Second round, Notre Dame

Analysis: Like Lance, Banks hasn’t budged off the second-string unit, and coaches are making him prove he’s ready to unseat Daniel Brunskill as the starting right guard. Banks hasn’t taken any snaps at left guard, where he earned All-America honors and where his veteran mentor, Laken Tomlinson, is entrenched. The bulk-sized Banks (6-foot-5, 325 pounds) is reshaping his body while also learning an intricate offense, so that’s a big transition.

Coach’s quote: “Smaller, undersized guys have succeeded in this system. It’s one thing where Kyle’s like, ‘We have guards that look like tight ends traditionally in this system.’ It’s nice now to have a guard that, when Banks hits somebody, something happens.” – Offensive line coach Chris Foerster

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Running back Trey Sermon (No. 28)

Third round, Ohio State

Analysis: Sermon has rotated with incumbent starter Raheem Mostert, whose job doesn’t seem in jeopardy, but no one’s yet seen Sermon in a game setting. Running backs coach Bobby Turner can’t wait to see how Sermon responds to live tackling and pass protection. Turner, by the way, coached three running backs (Alfred Morris, Clinton Portis, Mike Anderson) to top-10 rushing seasons by a rookie.

Coach’s quote: “He’s a sharp young man and what we thought. It may be different Saturday when he gets in the preseason games, because there’s a little more pressure. But it’s not like he’s been in big-time games before.” – Turner

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Cornerback Ambry Thomas (No. 20)

Third round, Michigan

Analysis: Thomas did not play last season as a COVID opt-out, and he’s finally coming on as he knocks rust off in camp. He’s flashed on occasion on mostly the second- and third-string units with fellow rookie Deommodore Lenior, a tandem that could be the 49ers’ future starting duo.

Coach’s quote: “There’s a misnomer that if you play corner, you go just out and cover guys. That’s the absolute opposite of the truth. If you can not show up on the edge (against the run), any offense in this league will find out very, very fast and the ball will be on the edge every time.” – Cory Undlin, secondary coach

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Offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (No. 76)

Fifth round, Western Michigan

Analysis: He could beat out veteran Shon Coleman as the 49ers’ swing tackle. Moore’s been steady as a second-string left tackle behind Pro Bowler Trent Williams. Justin Skule’s knee injury this spring prompted the 49ers not to try converting Moore into guard, but that remains possible.

Coach’s quote: “We knew his feet, we knew he had the talent to move anywhere. … It’s been nice because we know he has the ability to do (tackle). And now he’s just got to get reps and see if he can own that spot.” – Kyle Shanahan, head coach

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Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (No. 38)

Fifth round, Oregon

Analysis: His physical, aggressive style should bode well the more reps he gets, and it’s showing in practice. Like Thomas, he’s bounced between second and third string, and both remain on the outside than at slot cornerback.

Coach’s quote: “He’s got his hands full right now on the outside. Anytime in this league, if you have flexibility, it’s better for you and the team.” – Undlin

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Safety Talanoa Hufanga (No. 29)

Fifth round, USC

Analysis: Attrition at safety thrust Hufanga into second-team duty most of training camp, and he produced a leaping interception Wednesday. Veteran Tavon Wilson has filled in quite well for Jaquiski Tartt but Hufanga can use exhibitions to solidify his candidacy as more than just a potential special-teams ace.

Coach’s quote: “I was really excited to see the (interception) Huff made. It was an awesome play. … Really smart guy. He’s doing a great job and he’s progressing every day.” – DeMeco Ryans, defensive coordinator

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Running back Elijah Mitchell (No. 49)

Sixth round, Louisville

Analysis: His versatility, speed, receiving ability have kept him very busy through two weeks.

Coach’s quote: “You can see at the point of contact that he is striking defenders. We call it shoulder punched. You’ve seen Jeff Wilson do it a bunch. So in practice, we see great vision and we see a guy that is not afraid of contact and should be pretty good after it. But, again we’ll let him show us all that when the preseason games start.” – McDaniel

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Undrafted rookies

Wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr., offensive tackle Alfredo Gutierrez and linebackers Justin Hilliard and Elijah Sullivan.

Analysis: They’re all roster longshots who haven’t made much headway in limited team reps during practice. Watkins Jr. has shown up more this week. Gutierrez, a native of Tijuana, Mexico, is assured a practice squad spot through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. Hilliard and Sullivan finally can show how they tackle, a relatively lost art in today’s NFL.

Coach’s quote: “We try to let (young players) know that everything is being evaluated, from the way you take notes to the way you’re engaged in the meeting room, to the questions you ask, and then ultimately it’s what you do when you get on the field.” – Richard Hightower, special teams coordinator