During the NFL offseason, fans and media around the league finally get the opportunity to see how teams will operate in the upcoming season. That process starts during each team’s training camp.All NFL players will report to training camp by July 28. The stretch of practices will lead right into the Hall of Fame Game and preseason.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe San Francisco 49ers will be one of the more interesting teams to watch during training camp due to their roster changes, including rookies, veterans and coaching changes. There is also an overall fire brewing within the franchise due to how the last postseason ended.With that said, the NFL media and 49ers fans will be looking very closely at these specific players during the much-anticipated 2026 training camp.Perhaps the biggest offseason move San Francisco made was signing longtime Tampa Bay veteran wide receiver Mike Evans on March 12.The 49ers have been in need of a leader at wide receiver since Deebo Samuel‘s departure in 2025. Moreover, there is all of the drama that Brandon Aiyuk is dealing with.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEvans did have career-altering injuries last season, including a hamstring injury, a collarbone injury, and a concussion, which sidelined him for a total of nine games.However, Evans is already opening eyes from San Francisco OTA’s. Teammates like George Kittle are telling the media, “I think he takes ball seriously. That kind of sets the tone for the wide receiver room, especially when we have a bunch of young guys in there.”During training camp, all eyes will be on the new wide receiver and how he fits into Kyle Shanahan system. Also, Mike Evans himself said, “I’m feeling really fresh, I’m feeling rejuvenated, and I’m in a new spot—a change I felt I needed.”During the 2025 season, cornerback Upton Stout proved to be a young star in the making for San Francisco. He paired with Deommodore Lenoir to make one of the better secondary duos in the NFL.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementStout put up impressive numbers as the third-option cornerback. He had 82 total tackles, one sack, five passes defended, and one forced fumble.Many in the media believe Upton Stout to be a breakout candidate. Not just out of the defensive unit, but out of the whole team.He’s been getting huge praise from Lenoir who, when talking about his rookie season, said, “[The rookies] showed up in big games, made plays, and they played very dominant, especially Upton Stout. I gotta give credit to him.”Lenoir goes on to say, “To me, playing the nickel position, I know how hard it gets when you have a run assignment and a pass assignment. So, just knowing what he had to go through, every snap, I just take my hat off to him.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs far as the defensive side of things goes for the 49ers, many eyes across the NFL will be on the young Upton Stout. People are expecting him to make an even bigger jump in the 2026
Content Source: Yahoo News
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