49ers defense could have 8 starting jobs up for grabs as training camp begins

With a competitive training camp ahead, punters may find value in betting on the 49ers to make significant strides this season, especially with potential changes in starting positions based on rookie performances and the return of key players.

Santa Clara, Calif. — Summer fun is over for the San Francisco 49ers. An extremely well-tanned Kyle Shanahan took the stage Tuesday, along with general manager John Lynch, and said it’s open season on starting jobs for the new-look 49ers.

“We’re going to really grind for the next five weeks,” the 49ers coach said, “before we settle on this team. I think we have as much position spots open on the 53-man roster as we’ve had since 2018.

“It’s time to go to work.”

It was not only a long offseason — the first time the 49ers didn’t make the NFC Championship Game, let alone the playoffs, in four years — but an emotional one. Fans and league experts cried about the roster purge — with many key players leaving, including Deebo Samuel and Dre Greenlaw — before they saw the 49ers lock up their core players, add others and address their defensive holes in the draft.

Everyone has exhaled now, and with the first camp practice on Wednesday, Shanahan is not only excited about his defensive leaders but also the chance to have six to eight new starters on that side of the ball.

“There’s not many people in this league better than Fred Warner and better than Nick (Bosa),” Shanahan said. “I love what (Deommodore Lenoir’s) done here these last few years and the vet he’s become. But, yeah, there’s a chance we could have six new guys starting. There’s a chance we could have eight.

“That is a different team ... and, so, that does take some time. That’s why I’m so excited to get started with camp so we can start working.”

Shanahan on “taking lumps” with younger players. #49ers

There also will be battles on offense, where a healthy Christian McCaffrey is expected to lead the rushing attack, but offensive line and receiver are less settled. New $265 million man and team leader Brock Purdy — who will be throwing to some new faces in a depleted receiving corps — is fired up about all the competition for jobs at camp.

“I think it could be a really good thing,” Purdy said. “When you got young guys (who) come in, new guys come in, obviously, there’s positions that are open for someone to go and take. And it’s not easy. It’s the NFL. You have to go out and earn it every single day, every single meeting, moment, you name it.

“But I think more than anything, this is just going to get us ready for the fire that we’re about to encounter when it comes to the season. You want to have guys that are battle-tested and they’ve been through the moments and high-pressured situations. You want a guy that you can rely on. And so I think this is a good time for all these young guys to compete, and we’ll see who takes the next step and can separate themselves.”

All eyes will be on the 11 draft picks, as the first five could very well be starting on defense at some point this season. Shanahan said he “hopes we are” dependent on the rookies this season, but added the second-year guys have an equal-sized load to carry. If not bigger.

“Guys that came in here and did a hell of a job in their first year,” Shanahan said, “guys like Renardo (Green), guys like Ricky (Pearsall), (Isaac) Guerendo. You’ve got (Malik) Mustapha, who will be back sometime during the season, but it’s huge for those guys to take a second step.

“I mean, you talk about the sophomore slump a lot, and we’re not in a position that we can afford that.”

Oh, yeah, and no third-year slump as well, thanks.

“Guys like Dee Winters and stuff,” Shanahan said. “He got some playing time a little bit more last year, and he can’t take a step back. ... It’s the cliché thing, but you’re getting better or worse. You’re not staying the same. And I want to make sure I’m getting better. I want to make sure every player on our team’s getting better.”

Even if you’re 37 years old. Trent Williams, arguably the best left tackle in the game, is still working hard and is a great example for all of the younger players.

“I just saw a real cool video that Trent sent to our strength coach today,” Shanahan said, smiling. “He can still vertical jump more than any man I’ve ever seen his size. So that was cool to watch. But I’m more excited to see the videos of them with some pads on playing football.”

That will come starting on the fourth day of camp. The youth-infused energy level is high, as the 49ers seem prepared to work hard at camp and ensure a return to the playoffs this season.

“We have a tremendous core of players and they have to decide what they want this team to be,” Lynch said. “And a lot of things have to fall in place. ... The tone is that you’ve got to go earn it, and I know we have some very motivated players to do just that.”

Outside of Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Deommodore Lenoir, there aren't many sure things in the 49ers defensive lineup.

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