How will the 49ers' depth chart look as the NFL Draft moves on? That's a question we'll attempt to answer here.
It's a bit difficult at this time of the year to accurately project a depth chart, given how many players are new to the team, how many will come and go in the weeks ahead, and how many positions may shift down the line. There's an awful lot of guesswork going on here, but we'll give it a try based on who is on the roster at the moment. The 49ers will release their first unofficial depth chart at some point in the weeks or months ahead.
We'll be making updates to this chart as the NFL Draft concludes and more players are added to the 49ers. Be sure to check back for updates.
Offense
QUARTERBACK
1. Jimmy Garoppolo 2. Trey Lance 3. Nate Sudfeld 4. Josh Rosen
Comment: Now that the 49ers finally have their quarterback of the future, the question becomes when he'll take over the starting spot. Until Garoppolo is moved, the spot belongs to him, at least for the time being. Sudfeld and Rosen will battle for the third quarterback spot, assuming the 49ers keep three on the roster.
RUNNING BACK
1. Raheem Mostert 2. Jeff Wilson 3. Trey Sermon 4. Wayne Gallman Jr./Elijah Mitchell 5. JaMycal Hasty 6. Austin Walter
Comment: The 49ers are loaded at running back after adding Mitchell in Round 6 to go with Sermon in Round 3. Who will make the team? The early guess is Gallman and/or Mitchell will have to prove they deserve a spot past the top three. If not, Mitchell can stay around on the practice squad.
FULLBACK
1. Kyle Juszczyk 2. Josh Hokit
Comment: Barring something completely unforeseen, Juszczyk will be the starter and the lone fullback on the roster.
WIDE RECEIVER
WR1: 1. Deebo Samuel 2. Jalen Hurd 3. Trent Sherfield
WR2: Brandon Aiyuk 2. Richie James 3. Travis Benjamin
Others: River Cracraft, Matt Cole, Jauan Jennings, Austin Proehl, Mohamed Sanu, Kevin White
Comment: The top two are clear, but after that, the competition will be on. The 49ers still need to re-establish some depth after moving on from Kendrick Bourne and Trent Taylor.
TIGHT END
1. George Kittle 2. Ross Dwelley 3. Charlie Woerner 4. Daniel Helm
Comment: Kittle is obviously a sure thing. With Jordan Reed heading into retirement, what happens past Kittle is still to be determined.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Left Tackle: 1. Trent Williams 2. Shon Coleman 3. Isaiah Williams
Left Guard: 1. Laken Tomlinson 2. Dakoda Shepley 3. Jaylon Moore
Center: 1. Alex Mack 2. Jake Brendel
Right Guard: 1. Daniel Brunskill 2. Aaron Banks 3. Tom Compton 3. Colton McKivitz
Right Tackle: 1. Mike McGlinchey 2. Justin Skule 3. Corbin Kaufusi
Comment: Second-round pick Aaron Banks could help in a number of ways along the offensive line, but the best chance for early playing time could come at right guard. He'll have to win a starting spot, but he certainly has the ability to do so at a position that isn't settled. Adding Moore in Round 5 brings more depth across the line. He'll likely begin at guard but has the ability to play other spots, too.
Defense
DEFENSIVE LINE
Right Defensive End: 1. Nick Bosa 2. Samson Ebukam 3. Jordan Willis 4. Arden Key 5. Alex Barrett
Right Defensive Tackle: 1. D.J. Jones 2. Kentavius Street 3. Zach Kerr
Left Defensive Tackle: 1. Javon Kinlaw 2. Maurice Hurst 3. Darrion Daniels 4. Kevin Givens
Left Defensive End: 1: Arik Armstead 2. Dee Ford 3. Daeshon Hall
Comment: If Bosa and (big if) Ford can bounce back to 100 percent health-wise in 2021, the defensive line will return to being a strong point for the 49ers after being decimated by injury last season. The free agency additions of Ebukam, Key, Kerr, and Hurst give this group a depth boost heading into late spring and early summer.
LINEBACKER
Sam: 1. Azeez Al-Shaair
Mike: 1. Fred Warner 2. Jonas Griffith
Will: 1. Dre Greenlaw 2. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles 3. Nate Gerry
Comment: The starters will likely be as seen above, but the spots behind them may be up for grabs.
CORNERBACK
Right Cornerback: 1. Jason Verrett 2. Dontae Johnson
Left Cornerback: 1. Emmanuel Moseley 2. Ken Webster 3. Ambry Thomas
Nickel: 1. K'Waun Williams 2. Dede Lenoir
Others: Adonis Alexander, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Mark Fields, Tim Harris
Comment: The 49ers used a third-round pick on the speedy Thomas, who was once viewed as a potential second-round pick or higher. He figures to see some time as a rookie, but the 49ers might not need to press him into action right away. Fifth-round pick Dede Lenoir is a player some have projected as a nickel but also has the ability to line up elsewhere.
SAFETY
Strong Safety: 1. Jaquiski Tartt 2. Marcell Harris 3. Tavon Wilson 4. Talanoa Hufanga
Free Safety: 1. Jimmie Ward 2. Tarvarius Moore (FS/SS)
Others: Chris Edwards, Kai Nacua
Comment: The unexpected re-signing of Tartt left the top four intact from 2020. The fifth-round pick Hufanga will start out at safety but has the ability to line up at linebacker, too, if needed.
Special Teams
P Mitch Wishnowsky; K Robbie Gould; H Mitch Wishnowsky; LS Taybor Pepper
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