The San Francisco 49ers continued their padded practice sessions on Saturday, as they began involving more move-the-ball sessions and 2-minute drills during the 11-on-11 scrimmage periods.
RELATED: 49ers Training Camp Day 9 Breakdown: Offense
RELATED: 49ers Training Camp Day 9 Breakdown: 11-on-11s
Defense
Defensive Line
Nick Bosa got a rest day on Saturday after playing only a series of team drills on Friday, providing opportunities elsewhere on the defensive line, as Charles Omenihu started opposite of Samson Ebukam.
Omenihu had a good day on Saturday, recording a sack on Spencer Burford on an interior rush, showcasing his versatility as a defensive linemen.
Javon Kinlaw continues to look good as he bull-rushed Aaron Banks on his lone 1-on-1 rep on Saturday, while continuing to play a solid amount during the 11-on-11 period.
Kinlaw requires some work on his pass-rushing acumen, but his pure traits can help him win battles, while it's a good sign that he's able to ramp up playing time in his recovery from a torn ACL.
Two other defensive linemen popped out on Saturday: Kemoko Turay and Jordan Willis.
Turay's pass-rushing ability was easily detected in 1-on-1s, using quickness and moves to beat Justin Skule, not once, not twice, but three times on Saturday.
Turay has yet to see extensive time with the first-team defense, but has been a mainstay on the second-team defense with defensive lineman Drake Jackson. He's been one of the more refined pass-rushers, potentially paving the path for him to see some early edge-rusher snaps in rotations.
Jordan Willis, on the other hand, popped out as a run-defender, having stuffs in two straight practices. With a slew of edge rushers on the roster, but not many defined run-defenders outside of the starters in Nick Bosa and Samson Ebukam, Willis could make the roster and see time in that role.
Kerry Hyder continues to be near the top of the depth chart amongst the reserves, and while he hasn't stood out much in training camp, the veteran did record a pressure on Saturday.
Based on the depth chart, his versatility, and the coaching staff taking a liking towards him, I'd anticipate Hyder currently making the roster.
Linebackers
Oren Burks continues to cycle in with the first-team defense at SAM linebacker with Azeez Al-Shaair on certain occasions, which has allowed one of Segun Olubi or Marcelino McCrary-Ball to earn snaps with the second-team defense.
With the way they're rotating players, on top of the fact that Marcell Harris was a cog in the rotation last year, it's apparent that the 49ers continue to covet faster linebackers, which doesn't bode well for a Week 1 standout: Curtis Robinson.
Robinson continues to be vocal, as well as a presence near the line of scrimmage, but he's a true MIKE linebacker, which the 49ers already have in Fred Warner, and even Azeez Al-Shaair.
Robinson is slower than both of the undrafted free agents named above, as well as Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, limiting his chances of eclipsing the latter for the fifth linebacker spot without a trade.
Additionally, it appears that the 49ers prefer Dre Greenlaw to Azeez Al-Shaair, at least in coverage, as the latter hasn't seen much, if any time, as the linebacker in nickel packages up to date.
Overall, the linebackers continue to play well at the line of scrimmage, limiting screen plays and breaching the gaps well.
Cornerbacks
Emmanuel Moseley continued his stellar training camp, once again locking up Deebo Samuel on a deep route, while playing good coverage overall.
Moseley did give up a 15-yard out-route to Brandon Aiyuk, but also had a pass-breakup on another play, where he nearly intercepted the pass in traffic.
Charvarius Ward was burned on a deep route after picking up George Kittle running an outside route, which would've been a touchdown had the Trey Lance throw been on target, as the tight end had 4-5 yards of separation.
Ward also gave up a 15-yard catch on a play over the middle to Jauan Jennings, however; that pass had come after Lance had already been sacked on a coverage sack, and the cornerback had played good coverage.
Deommodore Lenoir did give up a few catches on Saturday, first allowing a 25-yard play to Brandon Aiyuk, before giving up a 25-yard catch to Malik Turner and a 20-yard catch to Ray-Ray McCloud. All three receivers ran good routes on the play.
Lenoir did have a good play deep in coverage in the 2-minute drill, where he was step-in-step with Malik Turner, and the ball went incomplete.
Tariq Castro-Fields got burned on a deep route by Danny Gray on a 45-yard pass attempt, however; Brock Purdy overthrew it on a would-be touchdown.
Qwuantrezz Knight has been a player who's struggled in coverage overall during training camp, especially on crosser routes while playing in the slot.
Knight, who's a safety/cornerback hybrid, might suit better at safety in the long-run.
Safeties
Tarvarius Moore continues to see first-team defense snaps, especially in single-high shells when Jimmie Ward is operating near the line of scrimmage.
It appears that the 49ers are looking to play Jimmie Ward wherever he's most comfortable in 2022, rotating him around more near the line of scrimmage in both the box and the slot, which may debut different safety looks for the 49ers in 2022 given the differing skillsets of the group.
Moore has been featured a ton in coverage, especially against the second and third-team defenses, but has been inconsistent, as he's been in coverage on several catches of longer distance, including the Danny Gray 45-yard overthrow.
Moore has the requisite speed, but appears to be working on his feel for plays with the cornerbacks in the deep end.
After besting him earlier in the week on a 1-on-1, Talanoa Hufanga was finally beat by George Kittle on a rep.
Finally, Jimmie Ward made a fantastic play on Saturday, reading the eyes of Lance as he looked to hit Elijah Mitchell in the flat, coming out of nowhere and intercepting the pass for a pick-six.
As mentioned earlier, Ward seems to play more towards the line of scrimmage from the initial look, which has made him more comfortable. He has two interceptions off Lance in training camp now.
Stay tuned for Tuesday's coverage!
- Rohan Chakravarthi
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Written by:Writer/Reporter for 49ers Webzone
