How are 49ers’ key position battles shaping up? Here’s an early review

SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy threw three interceptions Monday, but unless he throws three a day for the next two weeks he’s not turning into a pumpkin any time soon.

There’s something to be said for equity built through production in the regular and postseason, an advantage Purdy shares long with the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Fred Warner and Deebo Samuel for the defending NFC champions. That includes Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk, whenever they get on the field.

But one of the NFL’s most loaded rosters has some key roles up for grabs that could go a long way toward determining whether another deep playoff run is in the cards for the 49ers.

Here is an early look at how some of those battles are heating up through five practices, with the first padded practice concluding Monday:

Backup quarterback

Brandon Allen is more comfortable in the system. Josh Dobbs got a guaranteed $2.25 million signing bonus which would make him the favorite. But the 49ers once released Nate Sudfeld after giving him a $2 million bonus so they could keep an undersized seventh-round draft pick from Iowa State named Purdy.

It was a shaky start for Dobbs, although he has looked better in the last three practices. He and Allen will compete to be No. 2.

“Usually it plays itself out,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday. “Usually we can all see it and it takes care of itself and the players know and the coaches know and it’s not a tough decision. If it is a real tough decision, hopefully that’s a good problem because they’re both playing so well.”

Undrafted free agent Tanner Mordecai’s best hope is having another team claim either Allen or Dobbs on cutdown day so he can make the practice squad. Allen and Dobbs are getting all the backup work in practice.

Help for Kittle

Veteran Logan Thomas has the most experience. Eric Saubert, another vet, flashed on the first two days. Brayden Willis can get downfield but isn’t much of an in-line blocker yet. Mason Pline had a big play Monday. Lo and behold, so did Cameron Latu.

Latu was a third-round pick last year out of Alabama who had an early spate of drops in camp and then spent the entire season on injured reserve with a meniscus injury.

“For him to get his fifth practice in today and to finally make it to get the pads on, get some catches too, I was happy for him and hopefully he’ll continue,” Shanahan said.

Mason vs. Mitchell

Jordan Mason has flashed early not just as a runner, but a receiver. He made a catch Monday where the ball was thrown behind him and he jammed on the brakes, reached back and caught the ball with hands away from his body. Mitchell is a proven producer when healthy, which has been a problem in the past but not through five practices.

The job becomes bigger if Shanahan makes good on his desire to reduce McCaffrey’s workload to keep him fresh for the long haul.

“There’s been no falloff in Elijah at all, but J.P. runs at a very high level,” Shanahan said of Mason. “We’ll see how camp plays out, but I love both of those guys and we’ve got some depth behind them too.”

Fourth-round draft pick Isaac Guerendo of Louisville could face what happened to Latu a year ago after a hamstring strain which could cost him a few weeks.

Puni’s ascension

With Spencer Burford potentially needing surgery on his broken hand and Jon Feliciano out with a knee injury, Dominick Puni has a shot to be a rookie starter at right guard. He has been there for every practice so far. The 49ers traded up to pick No. 86 in the third round to draft him.

Aaron Banks, who watched Laken Tomlinson get all the snaps at left guard when he was a rookie out of Notre Dame, understands the challenge.

“It’s an adjustment coming from college to the NFL,” Banks said. “This offense is very particular in what we do. But I think he’s picking it up well and I’m excited to see where he goes with it.”

Subbing for Greenlaw

The 49ers signed De’Vondre Campbell, an All-Pro in Green Bay in 2021, specifically to pick up the slack while Greenlaw rehabs an Achilles tear. If Greenlaw missed anything less than four games it would be a major upset.

But second-year player Dee Winters has gotten rave reviews from Warner and Shanahan, and Jalen Graham has a similar skill set as a smallish linebacker who can run.

Campbell is soaking up the knowledge from Warner.

“I’m just a silent watcher. I don’t really talk a lot,” Campbell said. “I sit back and watch and try and take in all the information I can from him.”

Nickel dilemma

Deommodore Lenoir, who had an interception Monday, has proven capable both outside and as a slot corner. He is still taking reps at both.

If Lenoir plays exclusively inside, Isaac Yiadom is the leading candidate to start outside opposite Charvarius Ward. If he plays outside, it probably means second-round pick Renardo Green has stepped up and seized the nickel job. Green broke up a pass Monday in the end zone intended for Jauan Jennings.

Taylor’s return

Trent Taylor has had a very good opening to camp with Aiyuk holding in and Ricky Pearsall Jr. just getting on the field for the first time Monday. A fifth-round 49ers pick in 2017 (along with Kittle), Taylor can return punts and knows the offense.

Assuming Aiyuk returns and Pearsall stays healthy, it’s tough group to crack with Samuel, Jennings, Ronnie Bell, fourth-round draft pick Jacob Cowing, Chris Conley and Danny Gray on hand. Cowing will miss another week with a hamstring strain.

“Trent can help out anywhere,” Shanahan said. “The moment’s never took big for him. He knows the offense well. He can hop in at all three spots. Competes at everything he does and he’s very valuable as a returner too.”

Safety first

Talanoa Hufanga, a 2022 All-Pro, isn’t expected on the field until the 49ers scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints in Southern California Aug. 15-16.

In the meantime, second-year player Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum have worked with the first team, but rookie fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha out of Wake Forest made downfield plays on the first two days of practice — one of them an interception.

That’s important because Mustapha has the build and mentality of an in-the-box presence. It’s likely the 49ers would rather keep Odum as one of the league’s top core special teams players rather than as a starting safety.

Brendel’s backup

Center Nick Zakelj, whose claim to fame is that used to be Purdy’s roommate, has gotten work with the first team as has Ben Bartch.

Given that Brendel has a knee that will be monitored throughout the season, one or the other could get important playing time in 2024.