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49ers’ Biggest Weaknesses Ahead of 2024 NFL Training Camp

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49ers’ Biggest Weaknesses Ahead of 2024 NFL Training Camp

The San Francisco 49ers head into training camp with one of the deeper rosters in the NFL.

The star power starts with Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel on offense and extends to Nick Bosa on defense.

But not every position on the roster is in incredible shape ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

The 49ers only have a few question marks, but some of them are major ones, including at right tackle and at linebacker without Dre Greenlaw.

San Francisco also needs to figure out its tight end situation behind George Kittle. It’s not a pressing issue right now, but the 49ers will need some production from their depth at the position.

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The 49ers only have to worry about one side of their offensive line.

Colton McKivitz is penciled to start at right tackle. He made strides during the 2023 campaign that convinced the 49ers to keep him in a starting role in 2024.

However, it is slightly concerning that he had a 65.3 grade from Pro Football Focus for his performance in the Super Bowl.

Of course, that is a one-game sample size, but it sticks out when Trent Williams had the fourth-highest grade of any player in the Super Bowl over at left tackle.

McKivitz also allowed more pressures and sacks among 49ers offensive linemen in 2023, so there is reason to be concerned with his play.

The 49ers are likely hoping that McKivitz’s time within the offensive system helps him make the proper adjustments for 2024. He will not be Williams’ equivalent at right tackle, but he at least needs to improve this season to alleviate any concerns.

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The linebacker situation is only concerning until Dre Greenlaw fully recovers from the Achilles injury he suffered at the Super Bowl.

Fred Warner should still be one of the top linebackers in the NFL, but the help around him has some question marks, at least at the start of the season.

De’Vondre Campbell is only a few years removed from a 100-tackle season with the Green Bay Packers. He will be expected to fill Greenlaw’s role while he works back to full fitness.

After Warner and Campbell, the 49ers do not have many difference makers at linebackers. That is where Greenlaw’s early-season absence could be felt.

The 49ers need one of their backups to step up in training camp, or else they have to explore the free-agent market for short-term help alongside Warner and Campbell.

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The 49ers do not have to worry about their backup tight ends right now.

A 17-game season from George Kittle is expected, which would relegate the backup tight ends to much smaller roles in the 49ers offense.

However, the 49ers have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario of a Kittle injury, or the departure of Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk via a trade because of their contract situations.

The latter situation would thrust the younger wide receivers, led by Ricky Pearsall, into heightened roles and may lead to more targets for the tight ends.

Newly-signed backup Logan Thomas had an injury prone last few seasons with the Washington Commanders. Cameron Latu missed the entire 2023 season with an injury.

Thomas has not had more than 500 receiving yards in a season since 2020 and Latu is an unproven commodity at the NFL level.

Sure, Thomas could stay healthy and be a nice asset to the 49ers offense, but he has not been a huge force at the position in a while.

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