10 San Francisco 49ers Players Whose Stock Is Changing Heading Into 2015 Training Camp

10 San Francisco 49ers Players Whose Stock Is Changing Heading Into 2015 Training Camp

By James Forsythe

July 1, 2015

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10 San Francisco 49ers Players Whose Stock Is Changing Heading Into 2015 Training Camp

San Francisco 49ers warm up during minicamp at the 49ers practice facility. — The San Francisco 49ers are just weeks away from the start of summer training camp and already we are seeing the rise and fall of well-known players' stock throughout the offseason. Here are 10 players who have either impressed or regressed this offseason.

The San Francisco 49ers are just weeks away from the start of summer training camp and already we are seeing the rise and fall of well-known players' stock throughout the offseason. Here are 10 players who have either impressed or regressed this offseason.

10. Falling: Chris Cook, DB

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Cook (22) during the game against the Houston Texans

10. Falling: Chris Cook, DB

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Cook (22) during the game against the Houston Texans — Five-year veteran Chris Cook was having a fairly solid year before suffering a season ending hamstring injury in Week 7 of 2014. The 6-foot-2 Cook has been a good backup defensive back however, he is often prone to injury. If Cook can stay healthy this offseason, he may have a chance in making the 53-man roster this fall.

Five-year veteran Chris Cook was having a fairly solid year before suffering a season ending hamstring injury in Week 7 of 2014. The 6-foot-2 Cook has been a good backup defensive back however, he is often prone to injury. If Cook can stay healthy this offseason, he may have a chance in making the 53-man roster this fall.

9. Rising: Brandon Thomas, OG

Brandon Thomas #63 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after their 25-24 win

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9. Rising: Brandon Thomas, OG

Brandon Thomas #63 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after their 25-24 win — Brandon Thomas redshirted all of his rookie season in 2014 due to tearing his ACL in a pre-draft workout. Now that he is fully healed, the 49ers expect Thomas to make a large impact along the offensive line this year. With the departures of Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis, the former Clemson star has a huge opportunity to win a starting position.

Brandon Thomas redshirted all of his rookie season in 2014 due to tearing his ACL in a pre-draft workout. Now that he is fully healed, the 49ers expect Thomas to make a large impact along the offensive line this year. With the departures of Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis, the former Clemson star has a huge opportunity to win a starting position.

8. Falling: Jimmie Ward, DB

San Francisco 49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward (25) during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility.

8. Falling: Jimmie Ward, DB

San Francisco 49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward (25) during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility. — Defensive back and former 2014 first-round pick Jimmie Ward has not stepped onto the field since re-breaking his right foot back in November. If Ward wants to regain his starting position this summer, he will need a strong showing in training camp and stay healthy throughout the offseason.

Defensive back and former 2014 first-round pick Jimmie Ward has not stepped onto the field since re-breaking his right foot back in November. If Ward wants to regain his starting position this summer, he will need a strong showing in training camp and stay healthy throughout the offseason.

7. Rising: Quinton Dial, DT

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Quinton Dial (92) stretches during training camp at the SAP Performance Facility.

7. Rising: Quinton Dial, DT

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Quinton Dial (92) stretches during training camp at the SAP Performance Facility. — The departures of Justin Smith and Ray McDonald has opened the door for third-year defensive end Quinton Dial. Not only has Dial made the most of this opportunity during spring OTAs and minicamp, he is also the projected front-runner in replacing the recently retired Smith. Dial can play anywhere along the line even if he is passed over for the position.

The departures of Justin Smith and Ray McDonald has opened the door for third-year defensive end Quinton Dial. Not only has Dial made the most of this opportunity during spring OTAs and minicamp, he is also the projected front-runner in replacing the recently retired Smith. Dial can play anywhere along the line even if he is passed over for the position.

6. Falling: Ahmad Brooks, OLB

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility.

6. Falling: Ahmad Brooks, OLB

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility. — Veteran Ahmad Brooks is on the bubble this offseason since Aaron Lynch proved that he can effectively takeover the position last year. Nonetheless, Brooks will likely stay around this year due to a large portion of his salary cap allocated to dead money plus, he is a good all-around linebacker. Brooks will likely see his playing time and starting spot shared with Lynch this fall.

Veteran Ahmad Brooks is on the bubble this offseason since Aaron Lynch proved that he can effectively takeover the position last year. Nonetheless, Brooks will likely stay around this year due to a large portion of his salary cap allocated to dead money plus, he is a good all-around linebacker. Brooks will likely see his playing time and starting spot shared with Lynch this fall.

5. Rising: Carlos Hyde, RB

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball

5. Rising: Carlos Hyde, RB

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball — Running back Carlos Hyde will undoubtedly be taking over as the 49ers' chief bell cow heading into the training camp. While Hyde only amassed 83 carries for 333 yards and 4.0 yards per attempt last year, the bruising tailback is poised for a breakout season. He may not accumulate 1,000 yards on the year since Reggie Bush is likely to receive the same amount of touches as Hyde. However, he will nonetheless make a big statement in 2015.

Running back Carlos Hyde will undoubtedly be taking over as the 49ers' chief bell cow heading into the training camp. While Hyde only amassed 83 carries for 333 yards and 4.0 yards per attempt last year, the bruising tailback is poised for a breakout season. He may not accumulate 1,000 yards on the year since Reggie Bush is likely to receive the same amount of touches as Hyde. However, he will nonetheless make a big statement in 2015.

4. Falling: Vance McDonald, TE

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald against the Arizona Cardinals

4. Falling: Vance McDonald, TE

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald against the Arizona Cardinals — Tight end Vance McDonald has yet to live up to his second-round draft status since selected in 2013. While McDonald is a capable blocker, he never really lived up to his pass catching expectations. The 49ers just draft two brand new tight ends in this year's draft and if the former Rice standout does not pick things up, he may soon flame out of the NFL altogether.

Tight end Vance McDonald has yet to live up to his second-round draft status since selected in 2013. While McDonald is a capable blocker, he never really lived up to his pass catching expectations. The 49ers just draft two brand new tight ends in this year's draft and if the former Rice standout does not pick things up, he may soon flame out of the NFL altogether.

3. Rising: Quinton Patton, WR

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton does a dance in the end zone after scoring a first quarter touchdown

3. Rising: Quinton Patton, WR

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton does a dance in the end zone after scoring a first quarter touchdown — Third-year wide out Quinton Patton has stepped up big so far this offseason. Patton has been plagued by injury for much of his career however, the young receiver flashed some potential whenever he made it on the field. With the assortment of talented receivers competing for limited roster spots, Patton will need to continue with his strong performance throughout training camp or get lost in the 49ers' depth charts.

Third-year wide out Quinton Patton has stepped up big so far this offseason. Patton has been plagued by injury for much of his career however, the young receiver flashed some potential whenever he made it on the field. With the assortment of talented receivers competing for limited roster spots, Patton will need to continue with his strong performance throughout training camp or get lost in the 49ers' depth charts.

2. Falling: Corey Lemonier, OLB

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Corey Lemonier before the game against the Denver Broncos

2. Falling: Corey Lemonier, OLB

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Corey Lemonier before the game against the Denver Broncos — Outside linebacker Corey Lemonier spent most of last year on special teams and rarely received any snaps on defense. As a result, Lemonier slipped down the depth chart with the rise of Aaron Lynch and Dan Skuta towards the end of 2014. Since the 49ers selected third-round draft pick Eli Harold, Lemonier will need a strong showing in camp or he may be on the chopping block this summer.

Outside linebacker Corey Lemonier spent most of last year on special teams and rarely received any snaps on defense. As a result, Lemonier slipped down the depth chart with the rise of Aaron Lynch and Dan Skuta towards the end of 2014. Since the 49ers selected third-round draft pick Eli Harold, Lemonier will need a strong showing in camp or he may be on the chopping block this summer.

1. Rising: Colin Kaepernick, QB

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals

1. Rising: Colin Kaepernick, QB

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals — After Colin Kaepernick's 2014 slump, the young quarterback is poised to bounce back in a big way this season. When Kaepernick was not at 49ers HQ for spring workouts or at charity events, he was honing his craft with Kurt Warner at EXOS training facility. Kaepernick demonstrated a new throwing motion and improved footwork. It is far too early in declaring Kaepernick completely "fixed" but, the 27-year-old is definitely on the rise.

After Colin Kaepernick's 2014 slump, the young quarterback is poised to bounce back in a big way this season. When Kaepernick was not at 49ers HQ for spring workouts or at charity events, he was honing his craft with Kurt Warner at EXOS training facility. Kaepernick demonstrated a new throwing motion and improved footwork. It is far too early in declaring Kaepernick completely "fixed" but, the 27-year-old is definitely on the rise.

James Forsythe is a 49ers Beat Writer at www.RantSports.com. You can Follow him on Twitter @9erJim or add him to your network on Google.

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