Observations from day one of 49ers mini-camp

The 49ers held began their mandatory three day mini-camp Tuesday afternoon. Here is what stood out.

Deebo Samuel

Despite still not having a new deal in place, the veteran wide receiver made his first appearance at 49ers practice this offseason.

Samuel did not participate in any drills with the team, instead doing light work on the side.

Nick Bosa

Bosa made his first appearance of the offseason and went through all the individual drills before sitting out the team period.

The two-time Pro-Bowl defensive end looked as though he has not missed a beat by working out on his own.

San Francisco has picked up Bosa’s fifth-year option for next season. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, there have been no talks yet about an extension with Bosa.

Trent Williams

The 2021 first-team All-Pro was on hand and took part in individual drills before sitting out the team period.

Williams told the media after practice that he is fully healed from the ankle injury which slowed him down at the end of last season.

Danny Gray

The rookie wide receiver missed time last week during OTA practices and was held out again today. According to Kyle Shanahan, Gray tweaked his hamstring last week.

Gray is expected to bring speed to the wide receiver room. It will be interesting to see if the hamstring is an issue once training camp rolls around.

Dee Ford

Kyle Shanahan noted that Ford is expected to be in Santa Clara later this week for a physical. Once the veteran is deemed healthy, he will be moved off the 49ers roster.

Ambry Thomas

The second-year cornerback replaced Charvarius Ward at cornerback for the second practice in a row and held up well.

San Francisco is taking it easy with Ward, as the veteran free agent signing has performed well during early offseason workouts.

Jake Brendel

The veteran center continues to get all the snaps with the 49ers first team offense.

While many who follow the 49ers know little about Brendel, it was offensive line coach Chris Foerster who pushed for San Francisco to bring him in prior to the 2020 season.

Foerster worked with Brendel during their time together in Miami from 2016-2017.

Brandon Aiyuk

The third year wideout was targeted a team high six times on the day and came away with four receptions.

During a seven-on-seven session deep in the redzone, Aiyuk was able to come down with a couple of touchdowns. The first came on a quick throw into the right flat from Trey Lance. The second came after Aiyuk ran a stick route on the left side and sat down in the zone between two defenders.

Aiyuk also played a key role in the lone turnover of the day by the 49ers offense. Running an out towards the right sideline, Trey Lance fit a perfect pass past the coverage of Ka’dar Hollman. The ball bounced off Aiyuk’s hands and Hollman was able to snatch the ball out of the air for a touchback.

During team drills, Aiyuk came back from the negative play by running past Deommodore Lenoir down the right sideline and hauling in a nicely placed pass from Nate Sudfeld.

Jauan Jennings

Jennings had a solid day, bringing in all five passes thrown his way including three touchdowns during the seven-on-seven period deep in the redzone.

During a third down period later in practice, Jennings was able to get loose and Trey Lance hit him to convert for the first down.

Kyle Shanahan noted after practice that Jennings is way ahead of where he was this time a year ago.

Drake Jackson

The 49ers first pick in the draft received applause from Nick Bosa and the rest of San Francisco’s defensive linemen after a strong rep during individual work.

However, that didn’t carry over to the team portion of practice. Jackson was held in place on three straight pass rushes by undrafted free agent rookie Sam Schleuter. Jaylon Moore also got the best of a one-on-one matchup during a rough four play stretch for the rookie.

Jaylon Moore

The second-year offensive lineman has held up well when playing guard, but has struggled in pass protection throughout the offseason program when lined up outside.

Today, veteran defensive end Kerry Hyder ran right around Moore and was in position to sack Trey Lance.

Kyle Juszczyk

The veteran fullback made a nice reception out of the backfield on a pass from Nate Sudfeld during a third down period.

Trey Lance

Lance continued his strong performance during the early portion of the offseason, completing 14 of 18 passes. Included among the 14 completions were four touchdown throws during seven-on-seven drills deep in the redzone.

On the first play of team drills, Lance was able to evade pressure and move to his right. He threw a strike to Brandon Aiyuk, but the receiver was unable to hold on when Emmanuel Moseley made contact.

Lance’s best throw of the day was a strike deep down the middle to tight end Tanner Hudson. Lance got the ball out of his hands quickly and Hudson made a terrific catch while going down between the coverage of linebacker Curtis Robinson and safety Jimmie Ward.

The one concern today with Lance came on a deep throw down the middle to Marcus Johnson. Lance’s throw wobbled and hung in the air before falling incomplete. The throw was into a slight breeze but is one that needs to be made.

Jordan Mason

The undrafted free agent showed off his speed once again, catching a pass from Nate Sudfeld in the left flat and turning it upfield for a big gain before being touched.

What made this play impressive is the linebacker looked like he was in position to make the stop for a short gain. Instead, Mason was able to outrace the linebacker to the sideline.

Samuel Womack

The fifth-round selection continues to get a lot of work in the slot.

On one play, the wide receiver beat Womack off the line of scrimmage, but Womack was able to get his hands on the man and undercut the in breaking route.

Womack certainly has the man coverage skills needed to play inside. The only question will be his ability to fit in the run game and improve his feel when in zone coverage.

Trey Sermon

The second year running back only had his number called a couple of times today but was able to get into the endzone after catching a Nate Sudfeld pass out of the backfield.