The 49ers did a solid job addressing some needs this offseason, but as they head into the teeth of their offseason program and training camp, key positional battles are taking shape.
Here are three to watch:
Left guard
Expect a spirited competition for the left guard job, with a handful of candidates vying for a critical role along the offensive line. For now, Connor Colby is the odds-on favorite to be the starter when the 49ers play the Rams during their season opener in Australia.
But the 2025 seventh-round draft pick has a big-time fight on his hands to hold onto a job he held for six games last year.
Among the other candidates is veteran Robert Jones, a former Dolphins starter who missed all of last season with a neck injury.
But keep an eye on a pair of 2026 rookies, with fourth-rounder Carver Willis under strong consideration for a big role in his first season. If he’s not up to the challenge, fifth-rounder Enrique Cruz Jr. will also be in the mix.
Slot cornerback
Upton Stout played well enough last year as a rookie third-round pick to be the penciled-in starter heading into the bulk of the offseason and training camp. But his struggles in pass coverage were just enough to raise concerns about his long-term starting viability.
Slot cornerback is a difficult position to play in the NFL, especially for a rookie. A learning curve was expected, and there is every reason to believe Stout will benefit from the experience.
But that didn’t stop the 49ers from signing former Raiders and Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs. His presence could change the whole dynamic.
When Hobbs is healthy, he’s shown he can hold down the slot cornerback spot. But staying on the field has been an issue. Injuries limited him to 11 games in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, leading the Raiders and Packers to move on from him.
If he’s good to go, expect him to push Stout for the starting job.
Safety
Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha are the starters for now, but the 49ers need someone to push at least one of them for a starting job as improvement is needed.
Could that be Ephesians Prysock, whom the 49ers drafted in the fourth round? He is listed as a cornerback, but at 6-foot-3, some people think he’s better suited at safety. In fact, former 49ers defensive back Donte Whitner suggested that on a recent podcast.
Another name to watch is former Notre Dame safety Jalen Stroman, an UDFA whom many expect to push for playing time as a rookie.
One way or another, the 49ers need better play at safety.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
