SANTA CLARA — Close to 60 young football players gathered together Friday at 49ers team headquarters. Some were heralded draft picks, some were undrafted signees, some were there trying to earn a roster spot, some were plain enjoying a memorable moment of working out for an NFL team.
Nothing ground breaking happened on the practice field, but here’s a couple of notes to take with you.
1. C.J. Beathard slung the rock, has some things to work on
All eyes were on San Francisco’s third-round pick, and although he was surrounded by a makeshift supporting cast, there was plenty to like from Beathard. He threw both some touch passes and rocketed a few lasers over the middle, connecting on one with tight end George Kittle for a sizable gain. His arm and his size passed the initial test with flying colors. Where Beathard needs most work is on the bootleg, a staple of Kyle Shanahan’s offense. After rolling to both his right and left, passes lost some accuracy. It’ll be a point of emphasis the rest of the spring and throughout training camp. Shanahan was more hands off today than he was last week during voluntary veteran minicamp. But they’ll be plenty of tape to look at in the film room.
2. Reuben Foster did not participate on the field
Shoulder surgery is going to make the No. 31 overall pick a limited participant to start his rookie career. Much was made about his shoulder this week, with Shanahan saying on KNBR the worst case scenario would be Foster missing the entire 2017 season. The injury did not dampen the linebacker’s spirit. He dressed in full uniform, leggings and cleats, shadowing assistant coach DeMeco Ryans for much of the afternoon. At the start of practice, trainers stretched Foster out in the weight room and he rode the exercise bike. For what it’s worth, he’s still already becoming a fan favorite. A group of corporate guests were hollering his name as he walked off the practice field.
3. Solomon Thomas lines up at big end
It’s really impossible to judge the linemen play during a rookie minicamp, but there was some explosion there from Thomas. It’s his hands that become noticeable in practice drills. Thomas has an array of techniques he uses to befuddle offensive linemen. For such a violent player, the No. 3 overall pick continues to show us his modest personality. He said he won’t even think about asking Earl Mitchell for jersey No. 90. Thomas is also rooming with Foster at the team hotel. The “two brothers” as they call themselves, continue to forge a strong bond. Thomas will head back to Stanford after this weekend, where he will miss an equivalent of 12 spring practices as he finishes class.
4. A couple of other names who stood out
Undrafted signee Victor Boulden is a smooth operator and a shifty route runner. Trent Taylor was utilized in the short passing game, and did actually line up some at outside receiver in base sets. Tryout receivers Kendrick Bourne (Eastern Washington) and Emmanuel Obajimi (Samford) hauled in some big catches down the field. Undrafted defensive back Lorenzo James made an athletic interception on Beathard during an 11-on-11 drill.
5. More cuts could be coming down the pike
A couple of second-year players were eligible to participate in rookie minicamp, and we’ll find out soon whether that was a good or bad thing. Cornerback Prince Charles Iworah and wide receiver DeAndre Carter were on the field Friday, and because the coaching staff already knows them well, both were receiving verbal instructions quite often. Iworah played in Weeks 16 and 17 last season; Carter didn’t see the field. Both are both former Trent Baalke players. San Francisco’s roster already has 59 new players — more could be coming if Shanahan and John Lynch were impressed by any tryout players on the field.
