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SANTA CLARA — Almost every 49ers position group was addressed in some capacity the past month — except quarterback and tight end where Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle reign.
Free agency still could bring in more competition, and next month’s draft surely will, especially with the No. 2 overall pick.
Time to measure up each position’s depth and reveal a burning question:
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Jimmy Garoppolo. Backups: Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard.
Burning question: Garoppolo’s knee rehabilitation is going swimmingly – he apparently went to Maui last week with his brothers – so how far past camp do the 49ers keep both backups (and which one stays) as a precaution?
RUNNING BACK
Starter: Jerick McKinnon, Kyle Juszczyk (fullback). Backups: Tevin Coleman, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert, Jeffrey Wilson Jr., Matt Dayes.
Burning question: If McKinnon’s ACL cooperates and he forms an ideal combo with Coleman, and if Mostert is invaluable on special teams, does that leave Breida (and his 5 yards per carry average) the odd man out of uniform on game days?
WIDE RECEIVER
Starters: Dante Pettis (split end), Jordan Matthews (flanker), Trent Taylor (slot). Backups: Marquise Goodwin, Kendrick Bourne, Richie James, Max McCaffrey, Steven Dunbar Jr., Jordan Smallwood.
Burning question: Do the 49ers use their second draft pick (No. 36 overall, perhaps higher if they trade) to seize a big-body playmaker, rather than another speedy slot option?
TIGHT END
Starter: George Kittle. Backups: Garrett Celek, Ross Dwelley, Marcus Lucas.
Burning question: Shouldn’t a better pass-catching option exist on the bench in case Kittle goes down in the encore to his record-setting season?
OFFENSIVE LINE
Starters: Joe Staley (left tackle), Laken Tomlinson (left guard), Weston Richburg (center), Mike Person (right guard), Mike McGlinchey (right tackle). Backups: Joshua Garnett (G), Erik Magnuson (G/C), Najee Toran (G), Shon Coleman (T), Christian DiLauro (T).
Burning question: Can Garnett, after two years in the shadows, emerge healthy to challenge Person for the starting spot? (Bonus question: Might it be smart to draft a tackle to initially compete with Coleman at swing tackle before a potential starting role?)
DEFENSIVE LINE
Starters: Arik Armstead (defensive end), DeForest Buckner (defensive tackle), D.J. Jones (nose tackle), Dee Ford (defensive end). Backups: Solomon Thomas, Ronald Blair, Dekoda Watson, Sheldon Day, Jullian Taylor, Kentavius Street, Pita Taumoepenu, Ryan Delaire, Kapron Lewis-Moore.
Burning question: Will the No. 2 overall draft pick yield Nick Bosa (he was to dine with 49ers brass after Wednesday’s pro day) or do they surprise with Josh Allen, Montez Sweat, Rashan Gary or even another interior stud in Quinnen Williams?
LINEBACKER
Starters: Kwon Alexander, Fred Warner, Malcolm Smith. Backups: Mark Nzeocha, David Mayo, Elijah Lee, James Onwualu.
Burning question: Will Alexander’s ACL comeback be ready for the season opener and will that mystery secure a roster spot for the oft-injured Smith?
CORNERBACK
Starters: Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett. Backups: K’Waun Williams (nickel), Ahkello Witherspoon, Tarvarius Moore, Greg Mabin, Emmanuel Moseley, Tarvarus McFadden.
Burning question: Will Verrett’s Achilles comeback be ready for the season opener or can youngsters Witherspoon and Moore rise to the challenge to start opposite Sherman? (Bonus point: Overseeing all these comebacks is a revamped medical staff led by Ben Peterson, head trainer Dustin Little and strength coach Dustin Perry.)
SAFETY
Starters: Jimmie Ward (free), Jaquiski Tartt (strong). Backups: Adrian Colbert, Marcell Harris, D.J. Reed, Tyvis Powell, Terrell Williams Jr., Tyree Robinson, Godwin Igwebuike.
Burning question: The 49ers already tried a free safety competition with Ward and Colbert, so will another contestant emerge via a high draft pick?
SPECIAL TEAMS
Starters: Robbie Gould (kicker), Justin Vogel (punter), Kyle Nelson (long snapper). Backups: Jonathan Brown (kicker), Colin Holba (long snapper).
Burning question: Is Gould OK playing under the franchise tag, and will his new holder indeed be Vogel, who signed Tuesday but may need to beat out a to-be-named rookie?
