The 49ers on Monday will begin the on-field portion of their offseason program with OTAs. These workouts are technically optional, though typically most players show up to participate.
While OTAs are important for establishing some sort of base line heading into training camp and the preseason, roster spots won’t be determined during these early workouts where players are aiming knock some rust off and get their first reps in front of coaches. Without pads on though it’s hard to make any real determinations on players.
That said, there are a handful of key questions we have with the 49ers entering OTAs:
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The 49ers’ quarterback played well enough last season that his major offseason elbow surgery became a very minor story line. However, it’s worth recognizing that what Purdy accomplished last season ostensibly came without any offseason because his elbow rehab occupied the months leading up to training camp. Now he’ll have an opportunity to actually work on improving as a quarterback, and OTAs will be our first look at him after a full NFL offseason. Arm strength and accuracy will be things to watch early on.
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There’s a pretty sizable hole in the 49ers’ secondary. Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are slotted in as starters, but that third cornerback spot is a major question mark. To complicate matters, Lenoir’s ability to play inside or outside gives the team a ton of options in terms of finding their three best CBs. There’ll be a hierarchy to start OTAs that is likely to feature the veterans up first. All options have to be on the table for San Francisco though and OTAs will just be the opening salvo for what’s sure to be a hotly contested position battle.
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The 49ers didn’t pick a tight end in this year’s draft, although they did sign Furman’s Mason Pline as an undrafted free agent. That means plenty of eyeballs will be on 2023 third-round picks Cameron Latu and Brayden Willis. Both players have a steep hill to climb to carving out a regular role on offense and OTAs will be their first chance to make an impression. It doesn’t bode well if one or both are relatively anonymous or actively bad to open the on-field portion of the offseason program.
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