SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ held their end-of-minicamp household barbecue on Thursday. No media was there to devour the leftovers, so let’s chew on these questions by way of my Instagram and Twitter buffets:
Who was the largest shock in minicamp? (@aldo_c27)
Not that Kyle Shanahan ended it a day early. Not that Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams and Nick Bosa confirmed. Not that Jimmy Garoppolo and Dee Ford skipped it. Not that half the starters weren’t practising, as a result of that’s been the case all offseason. So, the largest shock: Trey Lance seemed extra correct, extra comfortable, extra of what the 49ers want from their new QB1.
How did WR4 and down look? (@wrathr)
Translated, this asks who's within the receiver combine behind Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings. Danny Grey strained a hamstring two weeks in the past so too early to say how he appears, aside from a legit menace, if wholesome. Ray-Ray McCloud bought loads of targets (and returns) so he’s a lock. After that, it’s a toss-up, most likely led by five-year vet Malik Turner.
I haven’t heard a lot on the battle for beginning security alongside Jimmy Ward. Does this appear to be Hufanga’s job to lose? (@adamwolfgang)
That’s honest to say. Talanoa Hufanga is pursuing Jaquiski Tartt’s outdated job with dedication, and he’s forming a pleasant bond with Ward. I wouldn’t rule out Tarvarius Moore, nevertheless, as he rebounds from final yr’s Achilles tear. George Odum additionally bought added to the combo.
Most spectacular rookie? (@FCAbrao)
Defensive finish Drake Jackson, and never simply due to his “top-draft choose” standing. His athleticism wowed Nick Bosa – “He does issues on the market I undoubtedly couldn’t do as a rookie, the way in which he strikes” – and Samson Ebukam – “He’s going to be a key issue on this league. Athletic, huge, younger legs and in a position to go all day.”
Danny Grey a legitimate fantasy soccer sleeper in 12 months 1? (@FFPmoonman)
Dangerous. Jennings is a greater sleeper together with his pink zone potential. This offense isn’t doubtless catering to a rookie who’s not among the many high 4 choices to focus on (behind the broad receivers and George Kittle). However Grey ought to yield a number of routes per recreation. Possibly revisit this in October.
Have you ever seen sufficient expertise within the tight finish group that might develop right into a profitable one-two punch (with George Kittle), much like the Gronk/Hernandez period? (@RobertThacker31)
Oooph, that’s been a objective for years, to discover a complement to Kittle. However the 49ers supply mainly the identical corps as final season, plus Tyler Kroft. Their two tight finish units shall be used principally for a power-rushing emphasis.
How’s O’Neal doing? (@z3ke_24)
Yeah, undrafted security Leon O’Neal Jr. needs a job. He’s hungry and excited. He intercepted a Lance cross, with an help to Jackson’s cross rush, in Wednesday’s apply. Jordan Matthews slipped previous O’Neal on a 50-yard landing earlier.
Has Trey Sermon began at working again? (@8ajrrr)
With Elijah Mitchell and Ty Davis-Worth restricted to particular person conditioning, Sermon noticed loads of motion the previous two weeks. It’s actually unfair to evaluate whether or not he was nice or not, when no contact is allowed towards a skeleton crew on each side of the ball. He ought to make the roster, however there may be competitors and he have to be prepared for extra motion than his rookie yr.
How’s Fred Warner trying? (@ninerforlife96)
Is that a trick query, as a result of “Fred Warner trying” is a technique to describe his offseason practices. He’s been a bystander, although a cool and calm one as his physique rests up for the upcoming haul, of which I’m referring to his marriage ceremony this summer season, after all. Congrats, to Fred and Sydney.
How’s Alfredo Gutiérrez’s improvement? Footwork, heart of gravity, and so forth.? (@droops510ca)
Gutiérrez is just not as uncooked as he was a yr in the past, when the offensive deal with from Mexico arrived by way of the NFL’s worldwide pathway program. He’s additionally not anticipated to zoom up the depth chart. He’s nonetheless studying, and he’s basically the third-string proper deal with. Hopefully he performs on this preseason, in contrast to final yr, in order that he’ll have first-hand accounts to share when the 49ers go to the Arizona Cardinals in Mexico Metropolis in November, doubtless with him on the apply squad once more.
Which darkish horse do you suppose has a legit shot to make the 53? (@matty_maff)
By definition, that’s doubtless an undrafted rookie, similar to O’Neal or working again Jordan Mason. One other candidate is third-year cornerback Ka’Dar Hollman, who intercepted Lance in 7-on-7 by wrestling the ball from Brandon Aiyuk’s arms.