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49ers' top position battles to watch during OTAs

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The 49ers began phase three of their offseason program this week with organized team activities. OTAs offer another chance for general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan to evaluate their retooled roster before training camp by watching full-team drills.

Fifty-two players on the 49ers’ 90-man roster weren’t on the team last season, which should make for a healthy amount of competition between new additions and incumbent starters.

The roster is chalked full of uncertainty from top to bottom. We’ll take a look at some of the most contested and unsettled position battles we expect to see unfold throughout OTAs.

Running back

Los Angeles Rams v San Francisco 49ers

(Thearon W. Henderson-Getty Images)

Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner have made a habit of creating successful backfields. The pair benefited from a two-pronged approach in Atlanta that saw Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman rack up 2,482 total yards and 24 touchdowns in 2016. Carlos Hyde should still be seen as the incumbent starter, but Shanahan has brought in a host of competition.

The team was willing to overlook off-field concerns that came with fourth-round pick Joe Williams in favor of his obvious talent and tailor-made fit in Shanahan’s outside zone running scheme. He’ll likely step in to an immediate role alongside Hyde and could push for starting reps. Behind them, free agent Tim Hightower, Kabri Bibbs, who was acquired in a draft-day trade from the Broncos, and undrafted free agent Matt Brieda will compete for the remaining spots.

Projected depth chart

Carlos Hyde
Joe Williams
Tim Hightower
Kapri Bibbs
Matt Brieida
Raheem Mostert

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