Looking Through the First Three Days of 49ers Training Camp
The 49ers’ 2025 offseason training camp kicked off earlier this week, and many storylines have come out of those practices. The team’s biggest stars have looked the part so far, while a large group of possible impact players has either shown promise or struggled, establishing the need for additional growth within the team’s offensive and defensive schemes. The intensity has definitely been present throughout training camp, and it seems the entire organization, from management to the coaching staff and players, understands the importance of this key point in the offseason, where everything begins to come together. Whether it’s highlights, standout performances, disappointments, or injuries, the past three days have been filled with some intriguing headlines.
1. Who’s Going to Step Up at Receiver?
Heading into training camp, the outlook of the 49ers’ receiver position was likely the biggest question on many people’s minds. The Jauan Jennings news released during the preparation of this week which raised even greater questions on the long-term future of the position. However, Jennings didn’t push the drama any further as he has participated in training camp, continuing to show great leadership and proving himself worthy of a contract extension. Wide receivers Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Watkins are practicing with the first-teamers. However, Jacob Cowing suffered a pulled hamstring to begin Thursday’s practice and will look to make a full recovery before the season begins.
In the meantime, undrafted free agent rookie Isaiah Neyor continues to stand out during second-team snaps, including a highlight over-the-shoulder snag surrounded by three defenders. Neyor has gained the trust of head coach Kyle Shanahan throughout the entire offseason and could have an impact on the 53-man roster soon. The offense will need talent like Neyor’s to remain consistent as the team awaits the return of Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall should be poised to return during the second week of camp, while Aiyuk’s timetable is still unknown.
2. Defensive Secondary Concerns
Over the course of the first three days, the secondary looks to be the biggest concern on the defensive side of the ball. Outside of Deommodore Lenoir, the first two days of camp were trouble for the rest of the secondary. It correlates as the secondary lacks depth, while their major contributors are young and developing. One thing that remains certain is that Lenoir’s clear-cut leadership and mentality have grown contagious throughout the group over the first three days. It was on display with Lenoir and Jennings getting into a minor scuffle, which lifted the energy of a leisurely practice.
The secondary play improved during yesterday’s practice as second-year corner Renardo Green recorded three pass breakups. However, Green had to leave with an apparent hamstring injury. On a positive note, safety Ji’Ayir Brown intercepted a Mac Jones throw, which is a good sign for Brown, who needs a bounce-back third-year campaign. With Malik Mustapha out indefinitely, San Francisco will look for Brown and their other new additions, like Jason Pinnock, to step up in the offseason process. In addition, third-round rookie Upton Stout seems to be a secret weapon for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to utilize.
3. QB One & Two Firing on All Cylinders
The quarterback position will always be the most important position on the field at all times, so a great practice from Brock Purdy and Jones on day two was an amazing sign for the rest of the offseason. Purdy usually struggles during practice, and on Wednesday, he did. However, he turned it around the following day, throwing on time and limiting forced passes. With Jones, he has picked up Shanahan’s system quickly, consistently throwing with great anticipation and showing his underrated arm talent. He was on the facilitating end of Neyor’s highlight catch. The quarterback situation in San Francisco is set with Purdy as the starter, but Jones’ offseason success gives the team more comfort if Purdy were to miss a stretch of games.
4. Rookie Defensive Lineman Standout
Out of all the 49ers’ rookies, the defensive linemen have been the players who’ve shown the most promise. In particular, defensive end Mykel Williams has stood out against the first-team offensive line unit as his size, length, and youthful energy have taken over on reps. Veteran All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams gave the rookie high praise in his media session after the first day of camp. “You generally don’t see guys that size on the edge, so it sucks,” Williams said. Gaining this respect from a player like Williams should only boost Williams’ confidence as he enters his rookie campaign. The 49ers were searching for absolute specimens on the defensive line to make an immediate impact, and Williams, along with fellow rookie Alfred Collins, will look to fit that mold.
