49ers OL Coach Says RB Ty Davis-Price "Looks Great" in Training Camp

One player on the 49ers who is likely competing for a roster spot is running back Ty Davis-Price.

The position is extremely loaded with talent, and it's not just because of Christian McCaffrey. Behind him is former starter Elijah Mitchell who is lethal, then there is Jordan Mason who showcased some impressive skills last year. Assuredly they are the top three running backs, which means there is only room for one more.

Davis-Price showed nothing in his rookie season and is definitely not on scholarship despite being picked in the third round. He could easily be cut in favor of either of the undrafted running backs the 49ers have in Ronald Awatt and Khalal Laborn if they show promise. But so far early on in training camp, Davis-Price appears to be starting off on the right foot.

“He looks great. I mean, he looks really good," said offensive line coach Chris Foerster. "We've talked before about guys between their first and their second year make one of the biggest jumps. They know what to expect. They know what camp's going to be like. They know what their shortfalls were. They went through a whole offseason of being corrected on things they needed to work on. They come back out for camp and they're ready to go and he looks great right now.”

This is excellent news for Davis-Price even if it has been only a couple of practices. He's set a tone and an impression upon Foerster, which means that is not the only coach who is seeing it. Davis-Price has to continue this pace will little room for error. The 49ers will have no qualms about cutting him if he cannot show out. They proved that draft status is irrelevant with running backs after they cut Trey Sermon last year in favor of Mason.

Where Davis-Price will really sway the coaches, especially Kyle Shanahan, is when the pads come on. That is the true testament of a running back. He looks great right now, but can he maintain that form when hitting is allowed. Davis-Price needs this moment to set himself up for the joint practices with the Raiders, and then for the preseason. Those reps will be heavy influences into whether or not he makes the team.