Five position battles to watch in 49ers’ scrimmages vs. Raiders

The 49ers’ familiarity hasn’t bred contempt after 11 training camp practices.

They’re all in it together, confident that coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have put together one of the best rosters in the NFL.

But it will be nice to break up the monotony with a couple of practice sessions against the Raiders in Las Vegas on Thursday and Friday before the two teams square off in an exhibition game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.

How good are the San Francisco 49ers right now? They didn’t appear to be doing much passing the ball Tuesday before boarding a plane for Las Vegas. However, it is early August, and training camp is primarily intended to keep players healthy in preparation for Week 1 while reinforcing football systems to veterans and teaching them to newcomers and rookies.

When the NFL Network finished its list of the top 100 players in the sport as voted on by players, the 49ers had the most — eight. One of them, defensive end Nick Bosa (No. 4), will not be present because he is awaiting a contract extension.

(In case you’re wondering, Philadelphia and Dallas tied for second place with seven players each).

The remaining starters are tackle Trent Williams (No. 14), linebacker Fred Warner (No. 15), tight end George Kittle (No. 15), running back Christian McCaffrey (No. 35), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (No. 61), safety Talanoa Hufanga (No. 78), and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (No. 79). They have nothing to prove, and the priority is to get to Pittsburgh on September 10 for the start of the regular season.

They will, however, play to varying degrees against the Raiders in practice, with the coaching staff and general manager John Lynch holding their breath. Tempers will flare, but Shanahan wants to keep everything in check.

“You want to make sure that both teams treat each other with respect,” Shanahan explained. “I think we and the teams we’ve faced have done a good job of it.” And I expect the same from (Raiders coach) Josh McDaniels and his staff.”

Observe the following during practice sessions:

Sam Darnold vs. Trey Lance

Shanahan hasn’t said anything about his plans to back up Brock Purdy. No matter how he looks against the Raiders, it’s Purdy’s job.

If things don’t go well, it’ll be fun to watch the panic attacks outside the building. Remember, Purdy missed the entire offseason and will not be practicing with a game plan designed to maximize his strengths against a specific opponent.

Trey Lance and Sam Darnold have both had their good and bad moments. Lance is getting better at throwing the ball. Darnold didn’t have his first interception until Ji’Ayr Brown stole one on Tuesday.

While there is some outside pressure to let Lance go, he has improved enough to warrant a second look.

Jimmy G is in the corner

Jimmy Garoppolo has had a few shaky practice sessions for the Raiders. But he once threw interceptions on five consecutive passes during a 49ers training camp practice, so it’s not like it will define how he performs in silver and black.

During team 11-on-11 sessions, the 49ers have seven interceptions, including three from free safety Tashaun Gipson and one each from linebackers Greenlaw, Demetri Flanigan-Fowles, and rookie Dee Winters, as well as Brown’s interception on Tuesday.

There hasn’t been a single interception by a cornerback.

Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir have secured starting jobs at corner, with Isaiah Oliver at slot corner, but the position group as a whole has been blanked. Ambry Thomas, who was an afterthought as a 2021 third-round draft pick a year ago, has been particularly impressive.

The Running Back Catch-22

The 49ers would like to see Elijah Mitchell (adductor strain) recover from his injury, but he has missed more than half of his games and will not face the Raiders. The 49ers will need another back or two to share the load, as much as they’d like to get the ball to McCaffrey on every play.

Ty Davis-Price has received high praise from teammates and coaches and is ready to make a move against the Raiders, hoping to distance himself from Jordan Mason. There’s also Khalan Laborn, who could be a practice squad player unless injuries force him to move up.

Jeremy McNichols was added to the roster and immediately saw action. He could see a lot of action against the Raiders in the preseason game.

That’s how it usually goes in the preseason — the running backs with the most stats don’t make the team. To keep the other runners as healthy as possible, they’re getting the rented-mule treatment.

Aside from Bosa, who has the advantage?

With Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave anchoring the middle and Bosa expected to arrive before September 10, the 49ers will look for someone to come off the opposite edge to get after the quarterback.

Austin Bryant, who played for Detroit last year, returned from a hamstring strain to dominate on Monday. Clelin Ferrell has had some good days, and Drake Jackson, a second-year player, has remade his body in the hopes of avoiding the fade that rendered him inactive at the end of his rookie year.

Taco Charlton, a former first-round pick, had a strong first day for the 49ers a week ago and will be given a chance.

Kittle’s children?

Kittle played in 15 games a year ago and had his first healthy offseason in a long time, but he is 29 years old and plays the game with abandon. As a result, the 49ers selected two tight ends in the third round: Cameron Latu of Alabama and Brayden Willis of Louisville.

Both admitted Tuesday that they were treading water in an attempt to keep up, but they have been paying close attention to everything Kittle and incumbent backups Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner have to say.

“We’re in the middle of the ocean, floating, trying to climb aboard the boat,” Willis explained.

Willis has appeared more versatile in the passing game thus far, but there is still a long way to go. The coaches will have plenty of film to work with after two practices and a preseason game in Las Vegas.