FanHouse DavidBaas

Training camp is finally here and FanHouse breaks down the most important position battles heading into the season, team by team.

Forget what you hear about there being a battle at quarterback for the 49ers. Alex Smith will be under center when the season begins, and it doesn't matter how 49ers fans feel about it.

That being said, right guard is truly a competition. There wouldn't be if 2005 second-rounder David Baas wasn't recovering from torn pectoral muscles. But Baas' pectorals are, in fact, torn, and it's doubtful (though possible) he'll be ready for the beginning of the season.

So veteran Tony Wragge will compete with rookie Chilo Rachal for the right to start for at least the season's first game. Rachal is the more talented of the linemen, and the 49ers invested a second round pick in him this year, but Mike Nolan has admitted that it'd be tough for a rookie to win a starting job on the line right away. Still, the 49ers briefly tried Rachal at right tackle, so they're obviously looking at him to play sooner than later. It's possible a strong camp wins him the job.

And depending on the performance of whoever's been holding the fort, as well as the team in general, Baas might have to fight to get his job back. Offensive lines thrive on continuity, and if the team's offense finds a groove (for the first time in forever), it might be tough for Nolan to make a switch.

Of course, assuming the 49ers offense will find a groove is getting far ahead of myself.

NFL Offseason Roadmap is a series focused on the needs of NFL teams as they begin the offseason.

1. Offensive Tackle. There is a reason the 49ers gave up the most sacks in the league last year. There's a reason Frank Gore had a letdown year (a few, actually, but this is one). The 49ers are off to a good start at overhauling the position with Joe Staley, but Staley's moving over to the left side, and it's up in the air how he'll respond. Backup Kwame Harris is a free agent, and the 49ers aren't really fans of either him or Jonas Jennings. The team is going to need a starter at right tackle, whether that's Jennings or someone new. But the team need a general upgrade in talent and depth. Bad news. The 49ers don't have a late first round pick. They could hope that Jeff Otah, Ryan Clady, or Sam Baker fall to them. An intriguing pick for later in the first day is Heath Benedict from Newberry. They'll have to get some help out of the draft, because free agency is scarce. Max Starks looks to be the the best available, meaning someone will grossly overpay for him.