SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers open 2023 training camp on July 25 at SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, California. Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
Biggest question: When will QB Brock Purdy be cleared to return from right elbow surgery?
Aside from a slight delay to have the UCL in his right elbow repaired, Purdy's recovery has gone just as he and the Niners hoped. He began throwing less than 12 weeks after having the surgery, creating optimism that he will be cleared to return at some point in training camp.
The question doesn't seem to be if, but when that will happen. There's no prescribed timeline, but if Purdy can get back in mid-to-late August, it would give him time to step back into the starting job the Niners believe he earned with his play down the stretch last season.
Who is the most impactful offseason addition? Javon Hargrave, DT
If the Niners' investment in Hargrave -- four years, $84 million -- works as well as they hope, he will not only be their biggest addition but arguably the most important signing by any team in the league in the offseason. The Niners defense ranked near the top of the league in many major categories in 2022 but coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch believed their line wasn't as dominant as it's been in the past.
In 2022, 49ers defensive tackles generated a combined 59 pressures, fourth-fewest in the NFL. Hargrave posted 53 pressures last season and his 14.1% pressure rate is best in the NFL among tackles with at least 500 pass rushes over the past two seasons. Adding him between defensive end Nick Bosa and defensive tackle Arik Armstead gives the Niners their most talented front four since 2019, when DeForest Buckner was still in scarlet and gold helping lead the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV.
The player with the most to prove: Colton McKivitz, OT
It wasn't long ago the Niners waived McKivitz in their cutdown to 53 players before the 2021 season. Just two years later, they're so confident in McKivitz's development that they allowed right tackle Mike McGlinchey to leave in free agency and didn't invest significant resources in a replacement. That's because they believe McKivitz can step in and play at a similar level to McGlinchey.
McKivitz only has five starts in three NFL seasons but has fared well in high-pressure situations. Still, if San Francisco's offense is going to be the dominant unit their skill position players suggest it might, the line will have to hold up. And that starts with McKivitz.
How will new coordinator Steve Wilks tweak the league's No. 1 defense?
Under the guidance of coordinator DeMeco Ryans, the Niners ranked first in the NFL in points allowed, defensive efficiency, expected points added and yards allowed in 2022. But Ryans departed to become the Houston Texans head coach, leaving the Niners to turn to the experienced Wilks to take over. Wilks is the first coordinator the Niners have had under Shanahan with a background working primarily with defensive backs but has assured Shanahan that he doesn't intend to make sweeping changes to a group that doesn't need fixing.
Wilks has a history of utilizing blitzes as well, so he could add some wrinkles that make the Niners a bit more aggressive. The hope is that he can bring a fresh perspective that takes a loaded defense and makes it even better.
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: RB Christian McCaffrey vs. TE George Kittle vs. WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk
The amount of skill-position talent the Niners have means they will have at least one favorable matchup every week, regardless of opponent. Which means fantasy players could continue to be flummoxed by the inconsistent usage of each player. Shanahan has long preferred to feed the hot hand but McCaffrey clearly emerged as the top option last year and, with the benefit of a full offseason in the system, should only be better in his first full season by the Bay.
Kittle and Purdy had easy chemistry after Purdy took over last season and Samuel has vowed to have a big bounce back after a season he called "awful" in June. And though McCaffrey, Samuel and Kittle might be more proven, it's Aiyuk who led the team in receiving a year ago and has drawn rave reviews for his continued ascent.