The Good and Not So Good from Day 2 of 49ers Training Camp 2023

SANTA CLARA -- Here's who stood out Day 2 of 49ers training camp 2023. Keep in mind, the practice was short, and the players did not wear pads. The first day in pads will be Monday.

THE GOOD

1. FS Tashaun Gipson.

Picked off Brock Purdy's second pass of practice and returned it for a touchdown. Gipson was lurking in the flat to Purdy's left, and Purdy never saw him -- he turned blindly and checked the ball down before he saw Gipson. Big mistake. Gipson is a veteran who finds ways to make big plays. The 49ers spent a third-round pick to replace him, but Gipson won't make things easy on his eventual replacement.

2. CB Samuel Womack.

Targeted four times and gave up just one catch -- a 15-yarder to Deebo Samuel, who had to make a contested catch. Womack gives up very little separation. He could replace Deommodore Lenoir as a starting cornerback if Lenoir struggles like he did at times last season.

3. DT Javon Hargrave.

Blew past Aaron Banks to record a sack on Purdy during 11 on 11s. It will be so fun to watch Banks try to block Hargave during 1 on 1 pass-rush drills when the pads go on. Banks will have his hands full.

4. DT Javon Kinlaw.

Stuffed the runs that came his way and even chased down a few that went elsewhere. It's unclear if Kinlaw has improved his pass-rush techniques, but it's obvious that he's healthier than he ever has been since the 49ers drafted him. Good for him.

5. DE Drake Jackson.

Set a hard edge and stopped Christian McCaffrey for a loss of three on an outside run to Jackson's side. Jackson looks much stronger than he did a year ago. He could make a big impact this season.

6. LB Dre Greenlaw.

Stopped McCaffrey for a five-yard loss on a run to the offense's left. Greenlaw is the 49ers' most violent linebacker and he makes more plays in the backfield than Fred Warner.

7. WR Brandon Aiyuk.

The only player on the first-string offense who had a good day. No one on the 49ers defense can cover him, plus he makes acrobatic contested catches when the quarterback's pass is placed poorly. He looks like a Pro Bowler.

8. RB Khalan Laborn.

Exploded for a 15-yard run while playing with the third-stringers, then beat sixth-round pick Dee Winters with a choice route to the outside for another big gain. Laborn has tons of juice. The 49ers might be able to stash him on the practice squad, but not if he plays well in preseason. He's good.

THE NOT SO GOOD

1. CB Charvarius Ward.

Got burned deep twice -- first by Jauan Jennings, then by Deebo Samuel. Each time, Purdy overthrew the pass, but the receiver was wide open. These gaffs reminded me of the time Ward gave up a long touchdown catch to D.K. Metcalf in the playoffs a few months ago. Time for Ward to clean it up.

2. RB Ty Davis-Price.

After having a dominant first practice of training camp, Davis-Price reverted to the player his was last year -- indecisive with the ball in his hands, and a drop waiting to happen. Today he dropped a pass in the flat from Lance.

3. TE Cam Latu.

Committed a false start. Still hasn't made a play in camp.

4. TE Charlie Woerner.

Dropped the only target that came his way. The 49ers should have cut him years ago.

5. HC Kyle Shanahan.

His quarterback competition is bringing out the worst in his three young quarterbacks -- Brock Purdy, Trey Lance and Sam Darnold. They need confidence, and this competition kills confidence, because all three are afraid to make mistakes. The one quarterback who played well today was the oldest one, Brandon Allen, who's no good in real games. If Shanahan keeps this up, none of his quarterbacks will be ready to start Week 1. He better change his plan.