SANTA CLARA >> Training camp is not meant to discover players such as Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey or, apparently Nick Bosa, whose contract-related boycott is approaching two weeks.

Roster hopefuls abound for the precious few spots that may (or may not) be available on a Super Bowl-seeking unit.

Here are five up-and-comers who’ve helped their cases:

RB Ty Davis-Price >> From John Lynch running into him in the weight room at 5 a.m. to Frank Gore celebrating one of his training camp runs, Davis-Price is drawing a fan club with his sense of urgency after a disappointing rookie year. He has refined his physique (less fat, more muscle) and is showing why the 49ers drafted him in the third round out of LSU.

“Anytime you see him running at a safety, it’s like: ‘What’s going to happen there?’ It’s definitely and honestly inspiring to watch,” center Jake Brendel said. “Hopefully it keeps getting better.”

Praise should be tempered until full-contact comes in preseason games, starting with Sunday’s opener at the Las Vegas Raiders after practices Thursday and Friday there.

With Elijah Mitchell (adductor) out for a week or two, more opportunities are coming for Davis-Price and Jordan Mason as potential understudies to Christian McCaffrey.

TE Brayden Willis >> This seventh-round rookie has been a popular target and seemingly sure-handed athlete. Sam Darnold’s final throw Thursday failed to land in Willis’ hands for a touchdown, and another Darnold pass bounced off Willis for a near-interception Saturday. Third-round pick Cameron Latu put a nice stiff-arm on a defensive back in the opening practice but has been relatively quiet.

One cool scene: Kittle coached up Willis while McCaffrey talked separately with Latu on the sideline Thursday. Also impressive: Both rookie tight ends worked on a side-field blocking sled after Saturday’s session.

CB D’Shawn Jamison >> When Aiyuk sings your praises a week into camp, you’re definitely on everyone’s radar, which is an encouraging sign for Jamison, an undrafted rookie out of Texas. The only interceptions through six practices came from safety Tashaun Gipson and linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Dee Winters, so it’s not as if Ambry Thomas, Sam Womack or the other cornerbacks are definitively securing their backup roles.

“This guy, at the top of the routes, is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen, how quickly he can get out of his break and attack the ball,” said Ji’Ayir Brown, a fellow rookie defensive back. “Most guys take three or four steps to get out of your break. This guy, one step and he’s gone.”

LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball >> He dropped a sure interception of a Brock Purdy pass Tuesday, but finished that practice by preventing a Darnold touchdown to Davis-Price. Solid pass coverage could help his bid at strong-side linebacker. When Thursday’s practice rolled around, McCrary-Ball was there for a backfield tackle on an early down, while the 49ers rested Greenlaw.

McCrary-Ball was a practice-squad sponge last year, shadowing Fred Warner.

Rookies Dee Winters (interception Thursday) and Jalen Graham also are opening eyes, and the young linebackers’ best shot at a roster spot ultimately rests with their special teams ability.

“They’re all special-teams guys, and I love it when they’re that competitive because it’s really exciting for me,” special teams coordinator Brian Schneider said. “There are a lot of really good players there, and so we get the chance to train everybody.”

K Jake Moody >> Kicking with a bay breeze at your back and nailing a 60-yard field goal makes for a splendid summer day. Moody came up just short on a 63-yarder to close Friday’s practice. Big leg, big pressure, and it will ramp up throughout his rookie year (think: his predecessor Robbie Gould’s playoff winner in the Lambeau snow). All that said, Moody has been near-perfect, showing no immaturity. Rotating with veteran Zane Gonzalez also can keep his leg fresh, something that Doug Brien wasn’t afforded as he labored through his 1994 rookie year en route to the 49ers’ last Lombardi Trophy.