The Sports Xchange

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — One week ago, fifth-round draft choice Bradley Pinion figured to have one chance — a long shot at that — to make the San Francisco 49ers’ roster. It was as a kickoff specialist.

On Tuesday, he showed up for the first mandatory minicamp with two jobs pretty much assured.

Pinion, the only kicking specialist selected in the draft this year, became the club’s punter and field-goal holder the minute the 49ers traded punter Andy Lee to Cleveland last week for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2017 draft.

“We all love Andy Lee,” coach Jim Tomsula said Tuesday. “Obviously, we have faith in Pinion. I absolutely have confidence in the guy.”

Besides being one of the league’s best punters, Lee had been the holder for kicker Phil Dawson ever since the 17-veteran was acquired in 2013.

“I’ve been through it before,” Dawson said of switching to a new holder. “It’s certainly not insurmountable. It’s going to require a lot of hard work, and I look forward to it.”

–Tomsula announced that the 49ers were opening this minicamp with newcomer Erik Pears as his starting right tackle, replacing the retired Anthony Davis.

The coach also noted the position will have open competition, led by starting right guard Alex Boone and seventh-round pick Trent Brown.

“That’s what he’s played. That’s what we’ve evaluated him most at,” Tomsula said of Pears, who started at guard for the Buffalo Bills last season after having spent the rest of his NFL career as a tackle. “He’s bigger and stronger than he’s ever been. He’s really moving well.”

If Pears retains the job, he almost surely will be lined up next to Boone. If Pears were to lose the job to Boone, they could still be lined up next to each other — only with Pears at guard.

“Alex can go to tackle,” Tomsula said. “We’ve been playing guys at different spots, and you’ll see that over the course of the (three-day minicamp).”

–The only signed player not attending the minicamp is first-round draft pick Arik Armstead.

The defensive lineman’s absence is excused, as NFL rules do not allow a rookie to attend team functions until after his school has completed its finals. The University of Oregon is wrapping up its class schedule this week.

–The minicamp is taking place at Levi’s Stadium, a venue at which the 49ers rarely practiced last year.

“We’d like the stadium to feel like something old to us,” Tomsula explained.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to take shots.” — QB Colin Kaepernick, on the club’s new field-stretching options in WRs Torrey Smith and Jerome Simpson and RB Reggie Bush.