{"id":43511,"date":"2022-08-12T19:02:02","date_gmt":"2022-08-12T19:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/49ers-news-the-5-biggest-risers-from-49ers-training-camp\/"},"modified":"2022-08-12T19:02:02","modified_gmt":"2022-08-12T19:02:02","slug":"49ers-news-the-5-biggest-risers-from-49ers-training-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/49ers-news-the-5-biggest-risers-from-49ers-training-camp\/","title":{"rendered":"49ers news: The 5 biggest risers from 49ers training camp"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With 12 training camp practices concluded, I’m going to put together a list of the players I thought stood out the most during the two weeks I spent at 49ers camp. I’m going to start with the offense first, then pivot to the defense. Finally, I’ll touch on some of the superstar players but attempt to shine more light on some under-the-radar players.<\/p>\n

Brandon Aiyuk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aiyuk was quickly the player who shined the brightest and most often throughout the twelve practices. the meteoric rise of Aiyuk was fascinating to watch in real-time because the way he won wasn’t just convincingly; it was utterly dominant.<\/p>\n

Aiyuk won at the catch point, devastated defensive backs with his release off the line, and provided the 49ers’ quarterbacks with the ultimate safety net while going against one of the more formidable defenses they will face all season. <\/p>\n

Entering his third season in the NFL, Aiyuk looks locked in like never before. The work he put in during the offseason with Trey Lance paid big dividends, as those two were more in sync and in rhythm than any other player Lance targeted throughout camp. As a result, Aiyuk appears poised for a major step forward in 2022 and beyond.<\/p>\n

Trey Sermon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sermon mentioned during a presser after a practice that he was able to play faster due to having a year’s worth of experience within Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The eye test lined up with that as well, as Sermon looked much more comfortable and decisive when navigating the rushing lanes presented to him.<\/p>\n

Sermon also looked much more comfortable as a receiver, showing off strong hands and an ability to make plays through the air. He had a couple of really nice catches on 3rd down in situational drills and was getting the majority of snaps in the red zone on the 12th day of practice. <\/p>\n

When you combine Sermon’s big build and ability as a receiver, it becomes easy to project Sermon into a prominent role on third down if he proves he is capable of keeping Trey Lance on two feet in pass protection. All in all, a complete 180 from what I saw from Sermon in last year’s camp. Very impressed with how strong he finished this year.<\/p>\n

Jason Poe<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most fascinating athletes I have ever seen, Poe stole the show on numerous occasions with his reps from the interior of the offensive line. Standing at just over six feet tall, Poe showed an ability to get under the pads of the defensive linemen he matched up with and use his tremendous strength to anchor more effectively than any other interior linemen I saw during camp. <\/p>\n

The 49ers’ defensive line had a field day going to the long arm and bull rush, both pass-rushing moves that are heavily dependent on raw power and strength. Poe was the only offensive linemen that it just flat out did not work against. His ability to drop his feet and not cede and ground against a loaded defensive line was beyond impressive.<\/p>\n

I’m not sure where the 49ers envision Poe’s future in the long term, whether it is at guard or perhaps as the center of the future. One thing I do know as an absolute is that they need to figure it out quickly because Poe is a player who looks like he is ready to be a difference maker right now, and the sooner they figure out a role for him, the better.<\/p>\n

Ray-Ray McCloud <\/strong><\/p>\n

McCloud was almost assuredly brought in this past offseason because of the value he brings as a return specialist, but I thought he had one of the more impressive camps at the wide receiver position. <\/p>\n

Shanahan loves players who can create after the catch, and McCloud did that with regularity during 11-on-11s. McCloud also has an exceptional change of direction ability, a very shifty player who looks like a match made in heaven for the kind of open field looks Shanahan is able to scheme up for his wide receivers.<\/p>\n

McCloud also displayed excellent ball skills, with his most impressive catch being a back shoulder ball deep down the right sideline while getting both feet down and maintaining possession of the ball through the contact on the ground. A semi-hot take, I expect McCloud to get a lot of the target share in the passing game as the third wide receiver behind Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.<\/p>\n

Malik Turner<\/strong><\/p>\n

I always thought Turner had a chance at the final 53 simply because he is a veteran and adds value with experience on special teams. After watching him practice for a couple of weeks, he has to be a near lock to be one of the final six receivers that Shanahan typically keeps when the 49ers cut down to 53. <\/p>\n

Turner showed a strong ability to win downfield, stretching the field vertically and horizontally. Turner also had one of the most impressive catches of training camp, hauling in a deep ball down the right sideline with one hand while his left arm was tangled up with the defensive back in coverage.<\/p>\n

Similar to McCloud, Turner is a player who has the speed and shiftiness to step in and be a difference maker after the catch, which he showcased on a touchdown catch during team drills where he racked up over 40 yards after the catch to outrun the defensive backfield into the end zone. <\/p>\n

Honorary Mention <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n