San Francisco 49ers: 5 Early observations from training camp

The San Francisco 49ers have seen Reuben Foster and Marquise Goodwin shine early, but here are five key observations from training camp thus far.

The San Francisco 49ers are already three days into their training camp, with the first padded practice having taken place on Sunday. And already, some interesting storylines are emerging. There have been positives on both sides of the ball while two injuries have raised concern for the back end of the defense.

Here we look at five key observations from the opening three days of training camp.

A strong start for Hoyer

This is hardly going to be breaking news, but the odds of Brian Hoyer being unseated as starting quarterback do not seem very good. With the backups being Matt Barkley and C.J. Beathard, Hoyer’s job always seemed pretty secure. Nonetheless, the reports out of camp so far have been positive.

Hoyer, per The Niners Wire’s Rob Lowder, completed 13 of his 19 passes on Day 2, one of which was a 70-yard bomb to speedster Marquise Goodwin. Another deep completion to Goodwin came in Sunday’s first padded practice, which NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco described as another good day for the signal-caller.

Maiocco said Hoyer is asserting himself as the “no-questions-asked starter” and, for a team transitioning to a new offensive scheme, that kind of stability is exactly what the 49ers need.

Everybody suddenly loves Carlos Hyde

Much of the talk since the 49ers drafted running back Joe Williams has been over the future of starting running back Carlos Hyde, with many people suggesting he may be traded or even cut. Entering a contract year, it is unclear what the future holds for Hyde. But so far in camp general manager John Lynch, the coaching staff and the players have all been bullish on the former Ohio State Buckeye.

On Thursday Lynch, per Rotoworld, said that Hyde — who is down to his lowest weight since high school — looks “tremendous”:

The GM’s statement backed up by coach Shanahan and offensive lineman Daniel Kilgore.

Hyde’s improvement in conditioning has been apparent in on-field drills, with Lowder describing him as “outstanding as a runner and receiver out of the backfield”. There’s still a very good chance Hyde isn’t a 49er come 2018, but rumors of his imminent demise appear significantly exaggerated.

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There’s a quick-twitch presence on the offense

One thing the 49ers have lacked offensively in recent years is speed. With the addition of Goodwin, that is evidently no longer the case. The former Buffalo Bill has been responsible for the two biggest plays of camp with his connections with Hoyer and has, by all accounts, proven extremely tough for defensive backs to cover.

Goodwin is not the only pass-catcher to have showcased quick-twitch ability. Aldrick Robinson beat Keith Reaser — one of the Niners’ fastest corners — deep in a one-on-one drill on Sunday. There have also been encouraging signs from rookie Trent Taylor who, per KNBR’s Kevin Jones, dominated on Day 2 with six catches.

Reuben Foster has playmaking ability

In three years at Alabama, Reuben Foster never once intercepted a pass. Three days into camp with the 49ers, he has two — and both were returned for touchdowns.

With concerns over his shoulder allayed for now, Foster is flashing his obvious talent very early. If he can perform to a similar standard when the real stuff starts, then the 49ers should have a formidable linebacker group and will be vindicated in their decision to jump back into the first round to get him.

A lack of secondary depth is being exposed

The 49ers secondary has suffered two early blows in camp, with Jimmie Ward and Eric Reid both sustaining injuries. Ward, per Maiocco, is expected to be out until mid-August with a hamstring problem, while Reid hurt his ankle on Sunday.

Jaquiski Tartt took Ward’s first-team free safety spot and special teams guy Vinnie Sunseri was forced to fill in for Reid. The injuries exposing a crippling lack of depth at safety, though undrafted free agent Lorenzo Jerome has impressed.

Meanwhile at cornerback, no one player has stood out in the fight to start alongside clear No. 1 Rashard Robinson, with Jones reporting that Keith Reaser and Dontae Johnson have both struggled in coverage.

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There have been encouraging reports surrounding slot corner Will Redmond, who is competing with K’Waun Williams. However, the 49ers need one of Johnson, Reaser or Ahkello Witherspoon to step up on the outside or the secondary could be a real problem area for San Francisco in 2017.