Reestablishing the 49ers offense as a powerhouse or even a worthy threat is new coach Kyle Shanahan’s pressing and daunting task, one that will take years to craft.
After gaining the second-fewest yards each of the past two seasons, the 49ers head into training camp this week with likely five or six new starters emerging. Players report Thursday and start practice Friday. Here is how their reconfigured position groups look like (starters projected with asterisk):
Quarterbacks (4): *Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley, C.J. Beathard, Nick Mullens.
Analysis: For the first time since 2010, Colin Kaepernick famously is not in the mix here (or anywhere in the NFL, likely until a starter gets hurt). Hoyer takes charge as the presumptive starter for 2017 before a truer challenge next year, perhaps by Kirk Cousins or a top draft pick. Hoyer’s experience in Shanahan’s system and journeyman history have him hungry to lead. Barkley figures to fend off Beathard for the No. 2 role but look for three QBs to stick.
Running backs (7): *Carlos Hyde, *Kyle Juszczyk (FB), Tim Hightower, Kapri Bibbs, Joe Williams, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert.
Analysis: Hyde is on the clock entering his final year under contract, having produced just three 100-yard games in 20 career starts. Juszczyk will be a multi-dimensional threat. Williams and the undrafted Breida are exciting rookies. Hightower, 31, has the experience and a roster spot Bibbs and the rest crave.
Wide receivers (12): *Pierre Garçon, *Marquise Goodwin, *Jeremy Kerley, Aldrick Robinson, Bruce Ellington, Trent Taylor, DeAndre Smelter, Aaron Burbridge, DeAndre Carter, B.J. Johnson, Kendrick Bourne, Victor Bolden.
Analysis: Upgrading this unit was a must, so how much have they? Garçon, Goodwin, Robinson and Taylor are newcomers and likely roster locks. Garçon is this unit’s No. 1 target and Goodwin brings a down-field threat. Kerley, a pleasant surprise last year with a team-high 63 receptions, is the top slot receiver with other options including the rarely healthy Ellington and the 5-foot-8 Taylor. Smelter could surprise if his health cooperates for the first time in three years. Bourne and Johnson are rookies worth watching.
Tight ends (6): *Garrett Celek, *Vance McDonald, Logan Paulsen, George Kittle, Blake Bell, Cole Hikutini.
Analysis: It’s an incumbents-vs.-newcomers plot, with likely four roster spots at stake. Could Celek, McDonald and Bell all be replaced by a new trio? McDonald lasted through draft-day trade talk and signed an extension seven months ago. Paulsen’s blocking was highly sought. Rookies Kittle and Hikutini look like solid prospects.
Offensive line (16): *LT Joe Staley, *LG Zane Beadles, *C Jeremy Zuttah, *RG Joshua Garnett, *RT Trent Brown, C/G Daniel Kilgore, G Brandon Fusco, C/G Tim Barnes, OT Garry Gilliam, OT John Theus, G Norman Price, G John Flynn, OT Andrew Lauderdale, G/T Richard Levy, OT Erik Magnuson, OT Darrell Williams.
Analysis: Rather than use a draft pick on a lineman, the 49ers brought in some veterans, including Zuttah, a Pro Bowler with the Baltimore Ravens. A hamstring issue kept Zuttah out most of the offseason practices, allowing Kilgore to resume his role as the first-string center and show the new staff his capability at full health. Garnett is a lock at either guard spot, and Fusco could push Beadles and others for the other spot. Gilliam is the most experienced challenger to Brown if the younger Theus isn’t more promising as a swing tackle.
