The 49ers didn’t have a huge draft class in 2020. They used five picks in the draft, then signed 10 undrafted free agents. A limited in-person offseason that’s going to get shorter before it gets longer is going to make it difficult to integrate those rookies and get them acclimated to the professional level. That means San Francisco may need to lean a little more on some of their veterans as they head into training camp.
Here are six veterans that stand out as needing strong camp showings to either solidify their role or earn a spot on the roster:
RB Jerick McKinnon
McKinnon needs a big camp for a couple reasons. After missing the last two years with a knee injury, his contract was restructured to reduce his price tag and make him a free agent after this season. If he can’t perform in camp, he’s unlikely to make the 49ers’ roster, and could be short on chances from other clubs. However, if he plays well and has a productive year — he could revive a career that was momentarily derailed by injury. A healthy McKinnon could be a pretty crucial piece of the 49ers’ offense.