The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up practice No. 6 and their third padded practice on Friday. Reports suggest Colin Kaepernick looked better than Blaine Gabbert on the day, but the defense remains the stronger side of the ball for the time being. I was thinking of compiling the full list of completions and attempts for the quarterbacks this month, but there are so many different periods, and not all involve 11-on-11, so it becomes a grab-bag of numbers. We’re left to watch the preseason action, as per usual.
DeAndre Smelter moving up
Torrey Smith was tight on Thursday so he sat out Friday’s practice. This coupled with Eric Rogers’s ACL tear moved DeAndre Smelter up the depth chart. He played outside, starting with Quinton Patton and Buce Ellington. Smelter has solid size, which is something Kelly likes in his receivers. I don’t know if Rogers would have played there instead, but at this point, Smelter could get a pretty significant opportunity now that Rogers is out.
Right side of the line
Anthony Davis and Joshua Garnett spent the bulk of practice with the second team offensive line. They are making their way up the depth chart, as one would expect. Garnett should eventually supplant Andrew Tiller, but what of Davis? Trent Brown is getting strong reviews thus far, while Davis is getting his own share of positive reviews. If all things are equal, does Brown get the job?
Practice reports
49ers.com (photos)
Chris Biderman
Matt Barrows
Matt Maiocco
Grant Cohn