49ers' Position Battles to Watch Ahead of 2024 NFL Season

Linebacker

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DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 14: De'Vondre Campbell #59 of the Green Bay Packers lines up during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The 49ers need to feel comfortable with their linebacker corps going into Week 1.

Greenlaw will be back to full strength in 2024, but it will be too much of an ask for him to be his complete self on the field probably before the midseason point.

The 49ers need to fill out their depth behind Fred Warner so that those players can come close to matching Greenlaw's impact in the middle layer of defense.

De'Vondre Campbell has the biggest opportunity in front of him. He will be the favorite to be Warner's top running mate in September.

Campbell is coming off three solid seasons with the Green Bay Packers. San Francisco would love to have him return to the 100-tackle form of 2021, but even if he produces at the 75-to-100-tackle rate, like he did the last two years, he will be a great addition to the defense.

If Campbell steps up, the 49ers should fill the gaps behind him, Warner and Greenlaw, but if he fails to make an impact, they could be in a tough spot.

Backup Running Back

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SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 10: Isaac Guerendo #49 of the San Francisco 49ers during Rookie Minicamp at the SAP Performance Facility on May 10, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

Elijah Mitchell has been Christian McCaffrey's backup since the superstar arrived from the Carolina Panthers.

Mitchell's position is under threat in the summer from rookie Isaac Guerendo.

Guerendo could be more of a longer-term prospect for the 49ers offense, but he should at least slot ahead of Jordan Mason on the depth chart.

An impressive summer could vault the Louisville product over Mitchell and force the 49ers to make a tough decision with the veteran running back.

If Guerendo outplays Mitchell, the 49ers may be stuck with a decision to keep Mitchell as the No. 3 running back, or let him find a more expansive role somewhere else.

Wide Receiver Depth

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SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 10: Ricky Pearsall #14 of the San Francisco 49ers during Rookie Minicamp at the SAP Performance Facility on May 10, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

San Francisco's ideal scenario going into Week 1 features a fully happy set of wide receivers, led by Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

Samuel and Aiyuk have been the topics of trade rumors for good chunks of the offseason and one of them could still get traded before September.

The 49ers' depth pass-catchers need to be ready in case a major transaction occurs ahead of Week 1.

First-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall will receive plenty of attention this summer as the potential heir apparent to Samuel or Aiyuk.

Rookie Jacob Cowing, Ronnie Bell and Chris Conley will be competing for a roster spot. Jauan Jennings is clearly the No. 3 right now, but if he may be dragged into a battle with Pearsall in training camp.

The 49ers need the wide receivers to be the most competitive group of players this summer so that all of them are ready in case a major move happens.