The San Francisco 49ers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 4-12 campaign last season. And the best way for them to do this is by getting the most out of their players with training camp coming closer each week.
Training camp is a time in the season when players must prove their worth to the organization they're on. Some players are looking to come back after a severe injury. Others are looking to find their place on their side of the ball as a project player. And some players are looking to live up to expectations that were put on them since coming to the 49ers.
And that's what to expect with this list of the three players with the most to gain in training camp for San Francisco.
3. Jerick McKinnon
The Georgia State product's first season with the 49ers got off to a rough start. After signing a four-year, $30 million deal with the team, McKinnon started the preseason off in a wrong way with an unacceptable performance in his first game. He came away with three carries for negative four yards and one catch for seven yards.
Even worse, on the final day of training camp, he suffered an ACL tear that ended his 2018 season before it also started.
All of this didn't bode well for the 27-year old running back as he finds himself in a very crowded backfield and will be fighting for touches.
He will have a lot of work to do against the likes of Matt Breida, who's coming off of an 800-rushing yard campaign last season as well as with the inclusion of Tevin Coleman, who had some of his best seasons under his former offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan.
But for McKinnon, he's had time to rehabilitate from his injury and form a bond with starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, as they both worked on their shared injuries together. So with this, he does have an edge as one of Garoppolo's reliable targets when in doubt.
But he will still need to fight for his touches in training camp.
2. Jalen Hurd
In a positionless offense that Shanahan sometimes runs, some players will be put in areas of the field that aren't normal for them.
Take, for example, fullback Kyle Jusczcyk. Sometimes the Harvard product will be lined up as a wideout or even as an H-back. There's also a play that's designed like a triple option involving the multipurpose back.
But now Shanahan has another weapon in the offense that he can use as a mismatch for defenses. And it's the 6'4″, 227-pound receiver out of Baylor, Jalen Hurd.
During Hurd's time in college, he put together 4,282 yards from scrimmage and 33 total touchdowns. He began his career at running back when he started at Tennessee but later transitioned to receiver in the latter part of his college career.
A lot has been thrown around about how to use him with his size and athleticism. But Shanahan believes that the offensive weapon needs to prove himself at receiver before making a move to other areas.
If Hurd can beat out other players at his position, then he will get the opportunity to unlock his full potential of a real offensive weapon.
But he will need to prove himself to Shanahan first.
1. Solomon Thomas
The former third-overall pick is coming off of one of his worst seasons of playing football in his career. It's not a product of him not being unable to play. It's instead where his mental health was at last year.
However, now the former Cardinal is on his way back to being the type of player that the 49ers drafted back in 2017. And he credits this to improving himself and getting the support that he needed.
I feel like a totally different person – emotionally, mentally and physically.
I had to really learn how to love myself and learn how to build myself in order to be happy again.
Many are hoping that this changed state of mind will help him as he goes into his third season with a lot of questions surrounding his security on the team. And with a crowded defensive line in front of him, he will need to work that much harder in this make or break season.
Hopefully, this 2019 training camp will be Thomas' best one yet in his career after all he's been through since entering the league.
Follow Us
Subscribe