SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers will report for training camp on July 27 with the first practice slated for the following day.
As we head toward the start of camp, we're previewing each position and the competitions that could ensue. Today we look at running back, where the Niners have no shortage of options and things likely won't crystallize until the final weeks of the preseason.
On the roster: Carlos Hyde, Tim Hightower, Joe Williams, Kapri Bibbs, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert, Kyle Juszczyk (FB), Tyler McCloskey (FB).
Locked in: Hyde, Juszczyk, Williams.
Battles to watch: This should be one of the most heated and entertaining battles the Niners have during training camp. Not only will the backs listed above battle for roster spots, but they'll also be jockeying for position on the depth chart.
As it stands, it's safe to write Juszczyk's name in pen as the starting fullback, which means McCloskey likely is vying to earn a chance elsewhere. Outside of that, there are a lot of ways things could play out during camp and the preseason when it comes to the rest of the group.
Hyde still is the projected starter, and during the spring, he and the coaching staff said all the right things about how he was fitting in to coach Kyle Shanahan's outside zone scheme. That is still an adjustment for Hyde, and though he has talent and experience, it's been clear that Shanahan and general manager John Lynch want to see how he adapts before anointing him to any sort of long-term starter role.
Which is to say that other backs will push Hyde in the coming weeks and months. The Niners spent a fourth-round pick on Williams with an eye toward making him the next in a long line of Shanahan-coached backs taken in later rounds to become a 1,000-plus-yard rusher. Williams will have every chance to stick and eventually could push Hyde for carries, though that might not happen right away.
Hightower also has a great chance to stick around because of his experience and third-down ability. It might be too early to call Hightower a lock, but he looks like the back that Shanahan can trust most to make the right play and be where he's supposed to be heading into camp.
Beyond that trio, there's a pair of youngsters who turned some heads in the spring and will push the Niners to either keep an extra back or consider parting ways with one of the backs considered to be a favorite to win a roster spot. The two to watch are Breida and Bibbs, both of whom possess game-breaking speed and look the part of potentially dynamic kick returners. In fact, special teams could go a long way in helping either win a spot.
Breida arrived as an undrafted free agent and boasts the type of speed that drew praise from running backs coach Bobby Turner during organized team activities. The Niners traded for Bibbs during the draft, acquiring him from the Denver Broncos. He's a smaller scatback type but also flashed the ability to make big plays in May and June.
Since this is Shanahan's first year as a head coach, it's hard to project exactly how he'll construct the roster and how many running backs he'll keep. Four seems like a safe bet, but it's possible they could go with as many as five. That would leave a battle between the likes of Hightower, Breida and Bibbs for one or two spots. From there, the race for carries figures to include Hyde, Williams and Hightower.
And with Shanahan promoting competition across the board, it's safe to assume all of these running backs will get a chance to make their case.