What we learned about the 49ers defense in training camp: First-rounder Kinlaw is raw
Access to training camp wasn’t quite the same this year as we’re all trudging through a pandemic. Reporters were quartered off to the far side of the 49ers practice field, often with obstructed views when full-team work was done on the other side of the facility.
Still, training camp is often the best time to learn about how a team is operating and evaluate all the moving parts (even if reporting rules were more strict this season because of the lack of preseason games).
Here, we’ll go through each position group on the defense, with quick thoughts about what happened and what to expect when the regular season begins Sept. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Defensive line
Nick Bosa is already a great player and Dee Ford is a strong complement on the other side. But, like last year, both players missed the vast majority of training camp with lower body injuries. Bosa has an unspecified muscle strain in his legs that doesn’t appear serious and Ford is dealing with what the team is calling “calf irritation.”
The silver lining: both players proved last year they don’t need extensive work in training camp. Otherwise, Arik Armstead looks like he’s in strong form after missing some time early with back stiffness.
Perhaps the most notable development of training camp was how well the rotation players played. D.J. Jones looks like he could break out in a contract year, and Kentavious Street overwhelmed the offensive line at times. Even Solomon Thomas looks like a different guy after adding roughly 15 pounds to work exclusively on the inside after lacking a true position during his first three seasons.
Finally, there’s Javon Kinlaw, the No. 14 pick drafted to replace DeForest Buckner. Kinlaw’s play was panned throughout camp, and for good reason. He couldn’t use his “bully ball” that worked in college because Tomlinson is, in fact, far better than anyone Kinlaw went against in college. Expect Kinlaw to be used in running downs and sparingly as a pass rusher. He’s still very raw in that department. The 49ers could avoid sorely missing Buckner if Jones, Thomas and Street pick up that production by committee. Just don’t rely on Kinlaw to replace Buckner on his own. He’s not there yet.
Linebacker
Fred Warner was considered by many the 49ers’ best defensive player throughout training camp. That speaks to Warner’s continued development (and the fact Bosa was sidelined for most of camp). Unfortunately, Warner was placed on the COVID-19 list Monday and it’s unclear when he’ll return.
Flanking him, Kwon Alexander was in strong form throughout camp. He made plays in coverage and against the run. But camp doesn’t allow Alexander to work on his biggest bugaboo: tackling. That’s something to keep an eye on early in the season.
Dre Greenlaw, entering his second season, was very good as a rookie and gives the 49ers a strong option to replace Warner or Alexander to play all three downs if needed. It’s unclear how the 49ers will fill out their group, but it looks like Azeez Al-Shaair and Mark Nzeocha have the leg up for their work on special teams. Don’t sleep on Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, a former safety, who has length and athleticism unique to the group.
Safety
Free safety Jimmie Ward’s goal this offseason: create more turnovers after logging exactly zero interceptions last season. Ward was very good throughout last year while earning a new three-year, $28.5 million contract this offseason.
At strong safety, Jaquiski Tartt is entering the final year of his contract and had a very strong camp, highlighted by a pick-six of Garoppolo during one of the final practices. Tartt is solid against the run and pass and often gets overlooked on the team’s talented defense. And there was a clear dropoff when he was out with a rib injury last December.
The problem, however, is injuries have been a theme for Tartt over the last three years, which might be why the 49ers haven’t cemented his future beyond this season. He missed seven, eight and four games in the last three seasons, respectively.
Finally, keep an eye on backup Tarvarius Moore. He could have a bigger role this season, particularly on third downs. The former third-round draft choice might already be good enough to start.
Cornerback
Age has to catch up with Richard Sherman at some point, right? The 32-year-old was stellar last season, though he was picked on in the Super Bowl by the Chiefs’ speedy receivers, which will probably be something opposing offenses try more often this year. Whatever lack of speed Sherman might have, he makes up for with a his mind. He’s entering the final year of his contract.
On the opposite side, 49ers coaches said Emmanuel Moseley, Ahkello Witherspoon and Jason Verrett were competing for the starting job. It’s more than likely that job goes to Moseley, who was more consistent than Witherspoon, who was benched Week 17 and during the playoffs.
Verrett had a strong camp and looks like he’ll make the 53-man roster for depth, but can he stay healthy? Cornerback will be a position to keep a close eye on heading into 2021 with Witherspoon and Sherman both unsigned beyond this season.
In slot, K’Waun Williams is one of the best in the league. He’s also a free agent, who could cash in if he has a year like 2019 when he forced four fumbles and had two interceptions.