SANTA CLARA – Here are the players who stood out on Day 15 of 49ers training camp. Remember, Brandon Aiyuk made a cameo appearance.
THE GOOD
1. DT Javon Hargrave
Defeated Aaron Banks and sacked Brock Purdy in 11-on-11 team drills. Hargrave appears to be in much better shape than last year. He had a great training camp with no injuries.
2. DT Maliek Collins
Defeated Jake Brendel and sacked Purdy during 11-on-11 team drills. Collins may not be as good as Arik Armstead, but Armstead is injured. Collins hasn’t missed a single practice since training camp began.
3. CB Darrell Luter Jr.
He intercepted not one, not two, but three passes during team practice. First, he nearly intercepted a horribly short deep pass from Brandon Allen. Then Luter intercepted a pass from Joshua Dobbs intended for Cam Latu under center. Finally, Luter intercepted a fade pass in the end zone to Danny Gray. Luter is trying to beat out veteran Rock Ya-Sin as the fifth cornerback on the roster.
4. LB De’Vondre Campbell
Intercepted a long pass from Purdy intended for Tay Martin. Martin ran a long lateral route and Campbell was in zone coverage. He ran stride for stride with the wide receiver and slammed the pass to the ground. Campbell is good in zone coverage.
5. Safety Jaylen Mahoney
Blitzed and deflected a short pass from Brandon Allen. Mahoney also nearly intercepted a long pass intended for Robbie Chosen. Mahoney will not make the 53-man roster, but he should make the practice squad.
THE NOT SO GOOD
1. Quarterback Brock Purdy
Threw many passes to receivers he wouldn’t normally target during games, completing just 6 of 12 throws. Turned away from the intended target in disgust after some of his incomplete passes. Purdy can’t get Brandon Aiyuk back fast enough. Fortunately for Purdy, the 49ers recently upped their offer for Aiyuk, and he showed up to practice today in 49ers gear, which is a good sign.
2. WR Danny Gray
He’s extremely fast, but he can’t get free or catch the ball. Throwing a ball to him is a waste of time. Today he ran a back corner fade in the end zone and could barely get his arms up when the ball came. He’s hopeless.
3.WR Ricky Pearsall
Missed another practice due to a shoulder injury. This guy is made of glass. What a disappointing first round pick.
4. SS Talanoa Hufanga
He was scheduled to return to practice this week, but hasn’t yet. He’s still recovering from a torn ACL. It looks like he’ll miss at least Week 1.
5. RB Matt Breida
Fumbled during team practice, just days after fumbled during a preseason game. That means Breida is losing his chance to make this team while so many running backs are injured.
6. HC Kyle Shanahan
A reverse was called, and Deebo Samuel threw the ball to Jauan Jennings, who threw it back to Purdy, who was supposed to throw the ball down the field. It was the slowest play in the history of plays. And when Jennings threw the ball sideways to Purdy, the ball went over his head, Nick Bosa intercepted it and returned it for a touchdown. Forget that play, Kyle.
