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SANTA CLARA — Training camp commences Friday for the 49ers, but not before we open the mailbag and answer fans’ questions submitted via Twitter and Instagram:
Is Nick Bosa ready to go? (@trigger_finger_82)
Bosa, the No. 2 overall draft pick, still has to sign his rookie contract, as does second-round pick Deebo Samuel. Don’t sweat it, yet.
The 49ers haven’t had a high draft pick hold out since the rookie wage scale arrived in 2011. Solomon Thomas, the No. 3 pick in 2017, signed during the first practice of camp. Last year, Mike McGlinchey penned his contract with a few days to spare, and camp opened with Dante Pettis making his deal.
Joey Bosa, Nick’s brother and the No. 3 pick in 2016, signed after a four-week impasse, but that was with the Chargers, not the 49ers, and that is a big difference. Then again, hamstring injuries apparently run in the family. Do holdouts? Tick. Tock.
Are Kwon Alexander and Jason Verrett going to be cleared? (@kellysbcf)
All players, that we know of, should be cleared for action as camp begins. However, the 49ers still might put some on injury-related lists (see: physically unable to perform) in case they may need to stash players for later in the season. Neither Alexander nor Verrett practiced in the offseason program, and once cleared, they likely will be eased into action.
Nick Mullens or C. J. Beathard? (@allen_hakopian)
If it really matters who is the No. 2 quarterback, yikes, that means Jimmy Garoppolo has had a setback in his knee recovery. Mullens outperformed Beathard in games last season. Don’t rule out Beathard, however, as the 2017 third-round pick could win the backup job through precision practices and encouraging exhibitions.
Is George Kittle going to do as good as or even better than last year? (@MelanieDinjaski)
He’s been working out as if he had zero yards last season, not the most ever in a season by a tight end (1,377). As phenomenal as it would be to repeat that giant workload, the 49ers need wide receivers and running back to cut into that and make Shanahan’s offense more variable.
Can Kentavius Street turn heads in training camp? (@allen_haopian)
Heads, torsos, running backs, barbells, anything. As a super-strong defensive tackle, Street will take part in his first training camp. He is part of the 49ers’ ACL Comeback Tour, headlined by Garoppolo, Alexander and Jerick McKinnon.
With deep depth at wide receiver, do you see a good position battle? (@jmitchtheprodigy)
Health could be the deciding factor. Samuel and Dante Pettis are locks, and Marquise Goodwin likely is, too. A hot contest will be at slot receiver between Jordan Matthews, Trent Taylor and Richie James. Kendrick Bourne has worked hard to keep his job. Rookie Jalen Hurd (third-round pick) has to fit somewhere, either on the roster or injury list.
Way-too-early guess: Pettis, Samuel, Goodwin, Taylor, Matthews, Hurd.
How is that running back group looking? (@d3myle)
Check back next week. If McKinnon is practicing for the first time since last training camp, it’ll be a strong competition alongside Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida, plus proven producers Raheem Mostert and Jeffrey Wilson.
Offensive line, will it hold and excel this season? (@Mikey0090)
The 49ers don’t just have an O-line. They have “The Bro-Line,” a band of brothers in which all five starters return from last season. That familiarity and cohesion is vital. One more thing, Mikey: careful combining the word “hold” and offensive linemen, or a flag is coming your way next time you ask.
