SANTA CLARA – George Kittle, in a half-joking means, refers to them as Non-obligatory Coaching Actions.
Formally, the NFL dubs them Organized Staff Actions, they usually start this week for the 49ers. They certainly are voluntary for the three classes this week and three subsequent week, earlier than necessary minicamp June 10-11.
Kittle, the 49ers’ ninth-year tight finish, raves in regards to the camaraderie in and across the locker room this time of the offseason. It’s the first time since 2019 that he’s been a full-time participant at 49ers HQ moderately than work out at his offseason residence within the Nashville space.
“Besides being on a really good, winning team late in the season and going to the playoffs, one of the best vibes is during the spring for football,” Kittle mentioned eventually week’s Dwight Clark Legacy Sequence in San Jose. “Because you don’t have the pressure of a game that weekend. You have four workouts and get a three-day weekend, so the vibes are elite and immaculate. Everyone is having a good time. There’s such great energy in the building.”
Not like the earlier 5 weeks, OTA practices permit for 11-on-11 motion, however contact (and shoulder pads) stay off limits till coaching camp in late July. As is the case with half the league, the 49ers are scheduled to make use of solely six of their allotted 10 OTA days.
Listed here are 10 areas to observe:
1. DEFENSIVE LINE ROTATION
That is the offseason’s most overhauled unit, so it bears fixed scrutiny to see how the newcomers (and some holdovers) mix with Nick Bosa. Second-round choose Alfred Collins watched however didn’t take part within the rookie minicamp three weeks in the past. Two veteran defensive ends, Drake Jackson and Alex Barrett, have exited since then.
2. SALEH’S AURA
That is the media’s first probability to see defensive coordinator Robert Saleh work on the sector together with his unit – first time for the reason that 2020 season, that’s. Eight years in the past, it was enjoyable watching Saleh as a first-time coordinator match up in spring practices and camp towards Kyle Shanahan.
3. RUNNING MEN
Christian McCaffrey’s stage of participation is at all times value monitoring. However he’s an expectant father with potential paternity go away this summer season, so consideration ought to shift towards his backups as an alternative. We’ll look extra so at them as potential receivers since tackling will not be permitted till camp. How does Isaac Guerendo look as a possible third-round again, and the way are the palms of rookies Jordan James and Corey Kiner? Are they in the suitable place for move safety?
4. OFFENSIVE LINE OPTIONS
An missed competitors this 12 months is among the many offensive tackles. If Trent Williams isn’t up for these six voluntary OTA practices, who mans the left sort out spot? After an obvious take care of D.J. Humphries fell by way of, the 49ers added Andre Dillard and Nicolas Petit-Frere to compete with Austen Pleasants and Spencer Burford.
No pads, so no actual competitors to look at, however we’ll see who is perhaps within the lead because the swing sort out, in addition to at left guard, the place Ben Bartch and Nick Zakelj determine to battle for Aaron Banks’ outdated job.
5. LINEBACKER CREW
Fred Warner has a brand new contract (three-year extension) and a possible new wingman in rookie Nick Martin, a third-round choose. If Dee Winters has a say, it’s time to indicate he may be extra project sound. And if Luke Barrett is greater than a special-teams ace, we may see him issue into the linebacker combine right here, with the identical mentioned for Tatum Bethune and Jalen Graham.
6. WIDE RECEIVER PROSPECTS
Whereas Brandon Aiyuk does his ACL rehab on the facet, the 49ers must see what sort of connection Brock Purdy has with different large receivers past Jauan Jennings. Ricky Pearsall, final 12 months’s first-round choose, is probably the most intriguing after his robust end final 12 months. Jacob Cowing, after a four-catch rookie season, can present the strides he’s made. Demarcus Robinson makes his public debut, however rookies Jordan Watkins and Isaiah Neyor are fascinating tasks.
7. SAFETY IN CHARGE
Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum are the 49ers’ most skilled safeties, however these OTAs provide an opportunity to get a primary impression of veteran additions Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant. Communication and play-making vary might be value monitoring from all choices; Malik Mustapha is amid ACL restoration, and Talanoa Hufanga is in Denver.
8. TIGHT END DEPTH
Two tight-end units once more needs to be en vogue this season after the 49ers’ offseason investments in Kittle and free agent Luke Farrell, the latter of whom is a blocking specialist. Apart from observing Farrell’s onboarding course of, the 49ers have acquainted faces to check: Ross Dwelley, Brayden Willis, Jake Tonges, and Mason Pline.
9. GREEN LIGHT?
Renardo Inexperienced’s seven begins as a rookie make the 2024 second-round choose the odds-on favourite to switch Charvarius Ward at cornerback and pair with Deommodore Lenoir. The higher thriller at cornerback is whether or not rookie Upton Stout is straight away able to function the Day 1 nickel again, or if that job might be pursued by Chase Lucas or Darrell Luter Jr.
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10. QB WATCH
That is Brock Purdy’s present. He has a brand new understudy in Mac Jones, who’ll be making his first throws in 49ers’ OTA motion – 4 years after the 49ers’ bypassed him for Trey Lance with the No. 3 general choose.
If Purdy, Jones or Tanner Mordecai have an off-day, odds are they’ll get a pep speak from Kittle, who added about OTAs: “It’s just going to work, getting great hard work with your teammates, learning some stuff in the meeting room, then you get a three-day break to take a step back, and by the time Monday hits, you’re, ‘Oh, I’m ready to go again.’”
