SANTA CLARA -- Right tackle Mike McGlinchey is no longer a rookie, a time when he fixated on the accomplishments and reputations of the players against whom he lined up against.

After all, he did not exactly have the opportunity to go up against top-notch rush ends on the 49ers’ practice field a year ago.

This time around, things are a lot different.

Dee Ford was acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive end Nick Bosa, whom the 49ers’ tabbed as the best player in the draft, showed his skills Saturday on the first day of training camp against six-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley.

Nickel pass-rusher Ronald Blair appears improved. And recent first-round draft picks Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas also get snaps at defensive end, mostly in base situations.

“You see how they built the roster up in that position from top to bottom,” McGlinchey said. “We have a couple rush ends nowadays with Dee, Nick, Ronnie, Arik, when he’s out there, Solomon, when he’s out there.

“All those guys that are pushing me and Joe and Shon (Coleman) to be our best and it’s every time you go against them. There are no lulls anymore. You know as soon as you step on the field, it doesn’t matter what number is across from you, they’re going to give you the best they got, and it’s going to be something special.”

McGlinchey points out that each of the 49ers’ defensive ends has a different style and set of attributes that can help get the team’s offensive linemen prepared for all the challenges they are bound to face during the course of the season.

“Each one brings something a little different,” McGlinchey said. “Dee has that elite speed. Nick’s great with his hands and his hips, Arik is strong. Solomon is strong off the ball. So It’s cool that you get a little bit of a different balance with all of those guys. Nobody in particular, but it’s a gauntlet out there these days, which is good for the 49ers.”

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The 49ers selected McGlinchey with the No. 9 overall pick in last year’s draft. He started all 16 games. The Pro Football Writers of America selected him to the All-Rookie team. Yet, he admits that sometimes he focused too much on the star power of the players on the other side of the ball.

“Most of last year was mental,” McGlinchey said. “It was just a matter of names that freaked me out more last year. Whether it was Khalil Mack or Von Miller or Aaron Donald or whatever the hell it was. I wasn’t really worried about what those guys did as who they were.

“I think that’s where the growing curve is now. You can start studying football again and what guys are going to do because you have that confidence in yourself.”