The San Francisco 49ers began training camp last week, conducting non-padded practices on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday before beginning their padded sessions today.
However, even with pads off, there have been some clear standouts, such as wideout Brandon Aiyuk, and… some disappointing players.
Whose stock has dropped over the first week of training camp for the 49ers?
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Jordan Mason
When training camp began, I never imagined placing running back Jordan Mason on this list.
In fact, I felt Mason could have a strong enough camp to unseat Elijah Mitchell as the top running back on the depth chart behind Christian McCaffrey.
However, one week in, Mason has already coughed up three fumbles, including two in Sunday's practice.
He's a talented runner whose physical style cannot go unnoticed, but Mason needs to work on the fumble issues if he's to see extended playing time this season, especially with Elijah Mitchell and Tyrion Davis-Price enjoying good starts to training camp.
Ambry Thomas
Thomas entered camp as one of the top players on the roster bubble, as the 49ers added fifth-rounder Darrel Luter Jr. to complement Samuel Womack as cornerback depth on the team.
With uncertainty around whether the team would carry five or six cornerbacks on the 53-man roster this season, as well as Luter's solid OTAs performance, Thomas needed to come into camp and stack up multiple good days.
He earned his opportunity Sunday, working with the first-team defense as Charvarius Ward nursed a groin injury, but was repeatedly beaten by the top receivers on the team.
It's undoubtedly a tough challenge for Thomas, but he needs to play better when on the field to warrant the 49ers using an extra roster spot on the 2021 third-rounder.
