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Next up is the back 4 of the Front 7 that is so dominate, the linebacker core.

Locked In ; Patrick Willis (Signed through 2016), NaVorro Bowman (Signed through 2018),  Aldon Smith (Signed through 2015), Ahmad Brooks (Signed through 2017), Corey Lemonier (Signed through 2016), Parys Haralson (Signed through 2013), Dan Skuta (Signed through 2014)

This group is so deep in my opinion. Willis and Bowman are the best ILB tandem in the NFL, and Smith is a rising star. Brooks isn’t to shabby either, even without high sack totals, he is still able to penetrate easily. I put locks for Haralson and Lemonier for now, due to both being gifted talents. And Haralson redid his deal, and Lemonier will get some guarantees as a 3rd round pick, plus great talent. And Skuta is a ST ace, and a solid ILB backup.

Fighting for 1, spot, 2 max ; Nick Moody (Signed through 2016), Michael Wilhoite (Signed through 2013), Darius Fleming (Signed through 2015), Cam Johnson (Signed through 2013), Nate Stupar (Signed through 2014)

This group has potential. Wilhoite contributed well last year when called up from the practice squad. And Moody is a ST ace, so I can see both being kept. Stupar has ability, but more of a need to do more than the others to make the roster. Then comes down to the OLBs, Johnson and Fleming, both draft picks in 2012, and both have talent. Both need to come back strong from injuries, ACL for Fleming, and Sickle Cell for Johnson. If they keep one, it will be a hard choice.

Lets take a peek at the 49ers Defensive Lineman now.

Locked In ; Justin Smith (Signed through 2013), Ray McDonald (Signed through 2015), Tank Carradine (Signrd through 2016), Glenn Dorsey (Signed through 2014), Ian Williams (Signed through 2015)

Lets face it, the 49ers probably have the best front 7 in the NFL, and it all starts with the line. Smith is a warrior, and McDonald always gets in on his fair share of plays. We have 3 newcomers for this years locks, out are Ricky Jean Francois, and Isaac Sopoaga via free agency, and in Dorsey from Kansas City, Carradine from Florida State, and the returning, but hasn’t played Williams, who by the way received a 2-year contract extension, which included a $1 million signing bonus, and $1 million more in guarantees.

Fighting for 1 or 2 spots max ; Lawrence Okoye (Signed through 2015), Will Tukuafu (Signed through 2013), Demarcus Dobbs (Signed through 2013), Lamar Divens (Signed through 2014), Quinton Dial (Signed through 2016)

This group will come down to versatility, and all of these guys have it, with the difference that Divens is a more pure NT. Okoye, the british discus thrower was signed as an UDFA, while Dobbs and Tukuafu remain from 2012. Dial also is new, a 5th-round pick out of Alabama, who can play outside at End and inside at Nose Tackle.

Long Shots: Mike Purcell (Signed through 2015)

Not much more than a camp body that is all.

My best bet is Dial makes the team as the 6th D-Lineman, and then if there is a 7th, it comes down to Dobbs and Tukuafu, whoever the teams feels best about on the double duty side of things. Or who knows, the team may have enough highness in Okoye, and don’t want to risk him on waivers.

Now we take a long look at the offensive lineman.

Locked In;  Jonathan Goodwin (Signed through 2013), Daniel Kilgore (Signed through 2014), Joe Looney (Signed through 2015), Alex Boone (Signed through 2015), Mike Iupati (Signed through 2014), Anthony Davis (Signed through 2019), Joe Staley  (Signed through 2017)

This group is deep, now Goodwin is a lock right now, if someone shows up in camp, and proves to be better option, then I can see Goodwin cut, but if not, then Goodwin is the guy to go with for 2013. Kilgore and Looney are the top reserve interior lineman, plus have a shot at Center, and the incumbent starters, Davis, Staley, Boone and Iupati are all wprthy of their spots.

Fighting for a spot or 2 ; Adam Snyder (Signed through 2014), Carter Bykowski (Signed through 2016), Luke Marquardt (Signed through 2015), Al Netter (Signed through 2014), Kenny Wiggins (Signed through 2014)

Now this is an intriguing group. We have the returning Snyder, who will compete for the backup Swing Tackle/Guard role. And then draft pick Bykowski, who has tremendous upside, and Marquardt, the UDFA out of Azusa Pacific, who could or could not be ready for 2013. So they could stash him on PUP, NFI or IR list. Netter and Wiggins spent the season in 2012 on the 49ers practice squad.

Long Shots ; Sherman Carter (Signed through 2015), Patrick Omameh (Signed through 2015), Wayne Tribue (Signed through 2014)

All long shots, who’s best bet is the teams practice squad, 2 UDFAs and 1 free agent signing this offseason.

And my honest opinion on this position group, is keep Bykowski, and Snyder as the last 2 OL, keeping just 8 is a risk I would not be worth taken. Then stash Marquardt on PUP for the 1st 6 weeks, and see how well his broken foot has healed.

Next up are the TEs.

Locked In ; Vernon Davis (Signed through 2015), Vance McDonald (Signed through 2016)

It’s simple, Davis is an all-pro TE, and McDonald takes over for Delanie Walker, who left via free agency to Tennessee.

Fighting for a spot ; Garrett Celek (Signed through 2014), Cameron Morrah (Signed through 2013), Demarcus Dobbs (Signed through 2013)

This list is intriguing, we could see any of those 3 as the 3rd TE, or none, by keeping MarQuies Gray, previously mentioned in the RB and FB article last night.

My bet is either Celek, or we keep 2 TEs, and Gray. Dobbs will also compete for a DE spot, which that article will be coming up later.

I want to continue this series with the WRs.

Locked In; Michael Crabtree (Signed through 2014), Anquan Boldin (Signed through 2013), A.J. Jenkins (Signed through 2015), Quinton Patton (Signed through 2016)

The 49ers, in my opinion, have 4 of a max 6 spots filled for the WR spot this year. Crabtree was all-pro like in 2012, Boldin is a great compliment to Crabtree, and Jenkins has a guaranteed contract, so don’t expect a cut, yet anyway. And Patton is my sleeper as a lock. He has shown the ability in college to be a play maker, and shown the want here in the NFL with him showing up when he wasn’t supposed to, and just giving an overall great impression to coach Harbaugh.

Fighting for a spot or two ; Mario Manningham (Signed through 2013), Kyle Williams (Signed through 2013), Ricardo Lockette (Signed through 2014)

All 3 have a great shot, especially if Manningham starts out on the PUP list, which is possible, which is why he is on the fighting for a spot list. If he is fully healthy, he is a lock, until then he isn’t. Williams may be the best returner, but he isn’t experienced as some think. And Lockette is a young guy, who showed loyalty, by turning down several offers to stay on the 49ers practice squad.

Long Shots ; Chad Hall (Signed through 2013), Chuck Jacobs (Signed through 2015), Marlon Moore (Signed through 2013), Joe Hastings (Signed through 2013)

The only guy here with a chance to surprise would be former Dolphins Special Teamer Marlon Moore, but that would need to be as a returner. Other than that, Hall, Jacobs, and Hastings are camp bodies.

Lets take a peek now at the running backs and fullbacks.

Locked In ; Frank Gore (Signed through 2014), Kendall Hunter (Signed through 2014), LaMichael James (Sugned through 2015), Bruce Miller (Signed through 2014)

The 49ers have a 3 headed monster right now with Gore, Hunter and James, plus a capable FB in Miller. All the tales that Gore is done are just that tales, he isn’t going anywhere, he isn’t gonna get cut or traded, the 49ers are his home, and he will be a 49ers through his deal, and maybe past it to continue to mentor the young guys. Hunter is coming off a achilles injury, and should be 100% this season, and James is a speedy back, who should see most of his shares as a Kick Returner.

Fighting for a spot ; Anthony Dixon (Signed through 2013), Jewel Hampton (Signed through 2014), Alex Debniak (Signed through 2015), Jason Schepler (Signed through 2015), D.J. Harper (Signed through 2015), MarQuies Gray (Signed through2015)

The 49ers have the task of either keeping the incumbent Dixon, and Hampton, or go with a fresh look, Debniak is a former OLB, a lot like Miller was. And Schepler just won a 90-man offseason roster spot from the 49ers recent minicamp tryouts. And Harper is a long shot at this moment, but could surprise as he shined at Boise State when healthy. Gray is the most intriguing name on the list. The former QB out of Minnesota has the ability to take the spot of Dixon, and play more spots, like WR, TE and H-Back.

Injured, Reserve, PUP, NFI, etc… ; Marcus Lattimore (Signed through 2016)

Lattimore was picked for a reason, to not have him out there from day 1, he needs to rehab more, and get stronger. He is likely the heir apparent to Gore, with the talent he posses, and if he does come back, it’s like the 49ers are getting an extra 1st round pick, because he has that much ability.

Since it has been a long offseason, and months since we last saw some real, meaningful football players, I want to take part in a series of breakdowns by positions.

Quarterbacks are up first.

Locked In ; Colin Kaepernick (Signed through 2014)

Kaepernick proved to the world, and ninersnation that he is the 49ers QB, and he is the future, and the future is now.

Fighting for backup roles ; Colt McCoy (Signed through 2013), Scott Tolzien (Signed through 2013), and B.J. Daniels (Signed through 2016)

McCoy came over in a pre draft trade from Cleveland, where he never really got a fair chance to be the starter there. Tolzien has been in the 49ers franchise since 2011 when he was claimed off waivers from San Diego. But he doesn’t have the background for the Pistol offense, which Kaepernick has seemingly perfected. And Daniels was one of 3 7th round picks for the 49ers this April.

A part of me wants to see all 4 make it, just so the trade of McCoy turns out something instead of cutting him, and getting little in terms of the other pick acquired. While also feeling he upside of Daniels may be too much to keep him off the roster. And He knows the pistol offense, so he seems like a perfect fit for the 49ers offense. And he has shown the willingness to work at WR, RB, and on Special Teams.

If I was a betting man, I would say the 49ers find a way to keep Daniels on the roster, as reports were the Seahawks wanted him, so any way to keep the enemy from getting a quality player is worth it. It would be tough to see Tolzien go, but he isn’t suited for the pistol, and isn’t a real mobile QB. I believe Tolzien is the odd man out if the 49ers keep Daniels and McCoy.