Top 5 49ers Training Camp Battles to Watch

Training camp officially begins this Wednesday for the 49ers. Here are the top five camp battles to watch.

1. JAKE BRENDEL vs. JON FELICIANO at CENTER.

Brendel started all 17 games for the 49ers at center last and was solid if unspectacular. He even earned a Pro Bowl alternate selection, plus a four-year contract extension. But Brendel won't make a ton of money this season ($2.27 million against the cap), plus he's relatively light (less than 300 pounds). As opposed to Jon Feliciano, whom the 49ers signed this offseason. He started 17 games at center for the Giants last season, he will make $3.25 million this season and he's big (325 pounds). He might match up better against the behemoth defensive tackles the 49ers will face in the playoffs.

2. JAUAN JENNINGS vs. RONNIE BELL at SLOT RECEIVER.

Jennings is an extremely tough player who blocks well, runs through traffic and always tries to pick up yards after contact. But in the process, he tends to take his eyes off the ball and drop it -- he dropped 11.7 percent of his targets in 2022 and 12 percent in 2021. Perhaps rookie seventh-round pick Ronnie Bell can hang onto the ball better than Jennings.

3. TASHAUN GIPSON vs. JI'AYIR BROWN at FREE SAFETY.

The 49ers gave Gipson a one-year deal this offseason, but then traded up for Brown in Round 3 of the draft, which means Brown most likely will finish the season as the starter. We'll see if he can play well enough in camp and preseason to take the job by Week 1. I bet the 49ers will love him to take it.

4. OREN BURKS vs. DEE WINTERS at SAM LINEBACKER.

Burks is the favorite to win this competition, because he's a veteran who will earn almost $3 million this season. But he's a special teams player who hasn't proven to be an asset to the defense at linebacker. If he struggles, rookie Dee Winters could take his place. Winters is built like Dre Greenlaw, who's extremely fast and vicious.

5. TREY LANCE vs. SAM DARNOLD at QUARTERBACK.

These two will split reps during camp and preseason and compete for the right to start until Brock Purdy is ready to play. Darnold seemed to have an inside track when the 49ers signed him on the first day of free agency, because clearly he's a priority for them. But Lance unexpectedly improved his throwing mechanics and accuracy this offseason while working with independent throwing coach Jeff Christensen. Which means Lance should be the favorite to win this competition.