The San Francisco 49ers had a wild couple of days on Friday and Saturday, but the team did in fact have an open practice on Friday. Colin Kaepernick and Torrey Smith were not on hand due to a charity event in Ohio, but we did see the return of several players. This marked the final practice of the OTA period, and the team will follow it up with three days of mandatory minicamp this week.
I have posted three write-ups from last Friday down below. There were some positives to take from it, but as always, I find the real value in how the depth chart looks for a given practice. The team is rotating players around, so we don't have an exact idea, but we at least get to see who is getting opportunities around the field.
The most notable name remains Trenton Brown. The rookie offensive lineman has been handling right tackle snaps from day one of his arrival. Minicamp will be big because with Alex Boone as a potential tackle option following Anthony Davis's retirement, we might see some changes. If Brown continues to handle first team right tackle work, that would be kind of a big deal. It does not guarantee him anything come training camp, but it is a big step forward.
Erik Pears was not at the final OTA due to his wife going into labor. He has been handling right guard work while Alex Boone has been staying away from the voluntary program. Marcus Martin moved from center to right guard on Friday. Joe Looney handled center snaps, while Daniel Kilgore continues to rehab his leg injury. If Boone moves to right tackle, that opens some opportunities at right guard. If Boone stays at right guard, Martin seems locked in as the starting center at least for the start of training camp. Daniel Kilgore has said he expects to be back by the start of training camp, but who knows where his recovery will be in late July.
Keith Reaser and Marcus Cromartie handled first team work at cornerback, with Dontae Johnson and Chris Cook handling second team work. Reaser apparently also worked first team nickel reps. I am not sure who came on when Reaser moved inside, but I'd imagine it was either Johnson or Cook. The 49ers have been rotating cornerbacks quite frequently in the open practices. We still don't know where Tramaine Brock and Jimmie Ward are at in dealing with their respective injuries. Brock seems more likely to be ready sooner than later. The issue with Ward is that it is related to his previous foot injury, so unfortunately we don't know how much of a recurring issue this might be.
NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith were not at practice, and this resulted in Nick Moody and Corey Lemonier getting first team snaps. Lemonier has gotten a lot of extra work as Aaron Lynch recovers from a hamstring injury. The big question is if and when Eli Harold supplants him on the depth chart. That is something to watch for come training camp.