49ers DE Nick Bosa is dominant, and one position battle is coming into focus
Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and Nick Bosa returned to practice for the San Francisco 49ers on Friday. LB Curtis Robinson (ACL) was activated from the PUP list and is set to practice, giving the linebacker group a boost. Wide receivers Jordan Watkins (unknown), Jauan Jennings, and Jacob Cowing were not seen at Friday’s practice, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. RB Jordan James and S Ji’Ayir Brown (rest day) also missed day eight of training camp. Both starting cornerbacks, Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green, were absent on Friday as well.
Friday’s practice was the longest so far, and simulated game conditions, according to David Lombardi of the SF Standard. The practice was closed to fans.
Winners
Nick Bosa
Barrows had Bosa as the top performer in training camp before his three would-be sack day facing Colton McKivitz and a run play blow-up facing Trent Williams. Following a vet rest day, Bosa picked up right where he left off. Having Bosa for a full camp can only be a positive, and it sounds like the former DPOY is rounding into shape.
While many offensive linemen struggle to contain Bosa, I wouldn’t overreact to McKivitz being beaten by Bosa. The right tackle won a one-on-one rep against Bosa as the EDGE rusher attempted a spin move and was stonewalled.
Ricky Pearsall
The second-year receiver led the group, which included Demarcus Robinson, Russell Gage, Junior Bergen, Marquez Callaway, and Terique Owens. The receiver room has multiple injuries, but Pearsall was busy on Friday, catching three of four targets. In what should be considered a cautious/ramp-up period, it is encouraging to hear about Pearsall’s involvement and production.
Yes, the 49ers are banged up at the outside corner position, but Pearsall doing what he should is considered a win.
Dee Winters
You’d be hard pressed to find a negative assessment of Winters this offseason, but Robert Saleh spoke to the media and described rookie LB Nick Martin as “able to adjust to the SAM if they make him the SAM,” and has “plenty to learn,” while not being worried about him playing violently.
Couple these comments with the 49ers’ social media team dedicating an entire post to Winters, and it appears the third-year linebacker is the front-runner to start next to Fred Warner in Week 1.
Honorable Mention: CJ West
The Indiana Hoosier has been a force in his first training camp. Saleh glowed about West, saying: “He’ll be in the NFL a long time.” Jake Hutchinson detailed West’s day by complimenting the rookie’s ability to close the pocket routinely.
Through eight practices, West is in the driver’s seat for a starting position in Week 1, which would be a massive win for the fourth-round draft pick and the 49ers’ defense.
Losers
Alfred Collins
Following an offseason with not much work at the 49ers’ facility, due to a contract dispute, the rookie from Texas still has a way to go. Collins’ pad level has been a talking point for just about everyone with eyes on the practices, and is a work in progress as a pass rusher, according to Hutchinson.
Given the response to Mykel Williams’ and West’s first training camp, Collins’ performance hasn’t been up to their standards, but it’s way too early to push the panic button on the talented defensive tackle. Keep working, young man.