SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers open 2022 NFL training camp Wednesday at the SAP Training Center. Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
The player with the most to prove: Quarterback Trey Lance. The No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft is expected to step into the starting role for Jimmy Garoppolo after spending his rookie season mostly watching and learning. There will almost certainly be some growing pains, but Lance is taking the reins of a team that is coming off an appearance in the NFC Championship Game and is ready to push for a Super Bowl. He will be under plenty of scrutiny, but a full camp working as the starter should go a long way in helping Lance settle in before the season starts.
The biggest question: Can the 49ers and wide receiver Deebo Samuel find common ground and strike a deal? The Niners were caught a little off guard when Samuel requested a trade in April but maintained they had no intention of trading him and wanted to work toward signing him to a lucrative long-term contract. They held firm to that, declining offers for Samuel on draft weekend. Things seemed to be trending in a positive direction when Samuel showed up for the mandatory minicamp in June. And though Samuel didn't practice, he was engaged during those workouts. San Francisco has a recent history of getting deals done with stars (tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner) just before training camp. Perhaps Samuel is the most complicated situation because of his role as a runner and a pass-catcher, but his contract is an issue they don't want to linger during camp and into the season.
Most impactful offseason addition: Cornerback Charvarius Ward. The 49ers' one big bite from the free agent apple came in the form of Ward, who is expected to immediately become the team's top corner. The Niners view Ward, who allowed the second-lowest completion percentage (45%) among defensive backs with a minimum of 50 targets in 2021, as an ascending player who can stabilize a position that was one of their weakest a year ago. They placed a three-year, up to $42 million bet on that happening. If they're right and Ward is the player they believe he can be, the 49ers' defense has a chance to be one of the best units in the league.
The most compelling position battle: Center. Really, the entire interior offensive line is something of a mystery but nowhere more so than in the middle. Veteran Alex Mack retired, and the Niners have thus far opted not to bring in a veteran replacement. That leaves Jake Brendel, a journeyman who has started three games since entering the league in 2016, as the presumptive favorite to take over. Right guard Daniel Brunskill could also be in the mix, and rookies Nick Zakelj, Dohnovan West and Jason Poe offer further options, but nobody on the roster provides notable starting experience.
Camp prediction: Rookie defensive end Drake Jackson wins the starting defensive end role opposite Nick Bosa. Jackson, a second-round pick this spring, impressed teammates and coaches alike during offseason practices. Samson Ebukam finished strong in 2021, but Jackson has the size and physical ability to play a bigger than expected role right away. One way or another, Jackson will carve out a significant role with a strong debut camp.