After a few practices in training camp, the 49ers Depth Chart has already started to move, and Stribling is the biggest winner so far. Injuries to Christian Kirk and Ricky Pearsall opened a path for Stribling to get on the field, and he may be headed for a big role early in his rookie season.
That matters now because early camp is when rookies either seize a lane or lose ground, and the first few reps are telling the story. Black has taken all of the second-team work while Jordan James is out with a rib injury, and he has looked explosive and better in the passing game than advertised. That has put him in position to get on the field as the backup running back, which is the clearest opening among the rookies who have moved up.
There are other names making a case, but not all of them are moving in the same direction. Height changed his number, missed a few days with cramps and flashed enough when he has been on the field to look explosive. He also appears set for a role on passing downs, and he may benefit most if Raheem Morris keeps leaning on more five-man fronts. Cruz has also seen the field more than some of the other players drafted in this range.
The problems are just as clear. Halton suffered a bone bruise on the first day of training and has not been able to get back on the field since. Willis is also sliding, because he is changing from left tackle to left guard and the more experienced guards are getting the work right now. In a camp where every snap counts, that kind of shuffle can leave a rookie stuck behind before the competition really starts.
Prysock and Dugger are still waiting on a bigger opening. The 49ers are not going to push Prysock up the depth chart too early in a cornerback room that is already deep, and there has not been much to note from him so far. Dugger is in another deep room and is coming in without much experience, which means he likely needs a couple of weeks before he can start climbing. For now, the clearest takeaway is that early training camp has created a fast lane for Stribling and Black, while the rest of the rookie class is still trying to catch up.
