The 49ers’ camp battle lines are already taking shape, and Matt Barrows of The Athletic laid out a roster picture that has plenty of moving parts behind the obvious names.
At quarterback, Kurtis Rourke is the current favorite for the No. 3 job, though Adrian Martinez is still in the mix and will push him for it. In the backfield, Jordan James is trying to fend off third-round pick Kaelon Black for the No. 2 running back spot, while Sincere McCormick could be the first one shown the door after being signed, cut and re-signed this offseason.
The receiver group has its own competition brewing. Barrows sees second-rounder De’Zhaun Stribling battling Christian Kirk for the No. 3 role, and there’s a separate fight for the fifth receiver and punt returner duties between Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins. Junior Bergen is another name in that punt return mix.
Tight end is another spot worth watching. Barrows has Brayden Willis sitting fourth on the depth chart behind George Kittle, Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges, but with Kittle’s injury status still unclear, Willis could end up on the Week 1 roster. Up front, Vederian Lowe is projected as the backup left tackle behind Trent Williams, while Austen Pleasants fits best as the reserve right tackle behind Colton McKivitz.
Barrows also described fifth-round tackle Enrique Cruz Jr. as the “heir apparent” to Williams, though the rookie is expected to be in “learning mode” for 2026. On the interior line, Connor Colby is penciled in at left guard, but he’ll have to hold off Carver Willis and Brett Toth. Toth could also continue getting work at center.
In Los Angeles, Rams GM Les Snead said Aaron Donald is genuinely weighing a return for the first time since retiring. Snead said, “This is the first time Aaron’s … probably had the itch to come back, try to do something meaningful - which has been cool to see,” and added that Donald has enjoyed his time away from the game but now seems to have a real pull back toward it.
Snead also pointed out how unusual the situation is, saying, “It’s almost like, how many times in a lifetime in like this universe thing where, OK, wait a minute, [you get] Myles Garrett, now Aaron Donald wants to come back,” Snead added. “He happens to be still young enough to do it.
Like, that doesn’t happen often. So, I think I would show up to the game, and it wouldn’t be like you were the G.M.
It would be like, wow, this is kind of something I’m watching on Netflix.”
In Seattle, Dante Fowler is making a strong early impression with a straightforward message: he’s here to add to an already loaded defense. Fowler said, “The strengthening team here is probably like the best strengthening team I’ve ever been a part of,” and explained that he wanted to be around the strength staff during OTAs because they get him in great shape. He said that preparation reminded him of how he felt with the Commanders, when he knew he was set up for a big season based on his offseason work.
Mike Macdonald has already noticed Fowler’s presence in camp. “You can definitely feel him today,” Macdonald said.
“You want to affect the quarterback, but not too much at this part of the training camp. So he’s doing great.
He’s doing great. He’s getting used to how we roll here and I think he’s enjoying his time, which is a positive, but definitely seeing flashes for sure.
So we’re excited about it.”
Fowler said his focus is simple: fit in, learn from the veterans, and do his part. “They’re bringing all the new guys and the young guys along really well,” Fowler said.
“But you know like I just fall in line and do what I’m supposed to do. They already had a great defense before we got here and they won a Super Bowl.
It was the best defense in the world last year. So my job is to just fall in line and do whatever I gotta do to make this defense upgrade a little bit more.
“
In Other News...
Rams Just Entered A Level Of NFL History No Team Has Reached
The Rams are entering 2026 with a kind of star power the league has never seen before, the sort of roster quirk that forces a second look even in a sport built on weekly chaos. It is rare enough for a team to have one player in the conversation for the games biggest individual honor and another drawing defensive award buzz, but Los Angeles has managed to put itself in position to carry both kinds of prestige at once.
Around the league, the idea is already inviting comparisons, with Detroit, Denver and Philadelphia all mentioned as teams that could eventually build something similar. The Broncos have a quarterback case that is starting to look legitimate, while the Eagles have no shortage of names on either side of the ball, but for now the Rams are the ones sitting in a place no franchise has occupied before, with the rest of the NFL still trying to catch up. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Donald Return Buzz Suddenly Feels Very Real For Rams Fans
Aaron Donalds return chatter has moved well beyond idle offseason hope, and the latest reporting suggests the Rams are treating it like a real possibility rather than a wishful rumor. The star defensive tackle has reportedly stayed in football shape, remains motivated to play again and has been in discussions that include Sean McVay, all of which has given the situation a different kind of weight around the team.
What still has to be sorted out is the business side, because any comeback would likely require the Rams to adjust the contract structure to make the numbers work. There is also the football side of the equation, since Donald would need to be ready quickly enough to fit back into the lineup, but for a team that has spent months wondering whether the door was closed, the fact that it now looks open is the bigger story. [Read more 🡒]
Sean McDermott Is Already Drawing Interest After Stunning Bills Exit
Sean McDermotts first offseason after Buffalo is already turning into a busy one, even if he is not in line to jump right back into a sideline role. After spending the better part of a decade as the Bills head coach, he has remained a name worth tracking around the league, and teams have clearly kept the door open as they sort through their own coaching plans.
The Buccaneers had previously reached out about a possible spot on Todd Bowles staff, and now McDermott has also met with the Rams during the offseason. Still, the expectation is that he will take the year off and revisit his next move in 2027, leaving his immediate future open even as interest in him continues to build. [Read more 🡒]