San Francisco 49ers Release First Depth Chart of the Year

The San Francisco 49ers have entered their final week of preparation before their first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers Friday. And Tuesday’s training camp started with the release of the the first unofficial 49ers depth chart for the 2022 season was released.

Among the surprises are two young linemen in Aaron Banks and rookie Spencer Burford listed as the 49ers’ starting left and right guards. With Laken Tomlinson heading for greener pastures in free agency (New York Jets) the Red & Gold believe the second-year Banks can fill that hole after flashing some potential in 2021.

As for his counterpart, many may seem surprised to see fourth-round pick Burford among the starters this early in the year. But don’t let his soft-spoken demeanor fool you, the former UTSA guard has been one of the biggest standouts in camp thus far. He showed his elite agility and movement again at practice Tuesday, winning a few matchups in 1-on-1 drills.

Spencer Burford was a tremendous interview his first time up in an NFL auditorium pic.twitter.com/qDKfarhFAb

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 9, 2022

But regardless of his totem pole standing, Burford is just happy to help his new team and prove them right for selecting him in the draft.

“I knew I always had it in me,” Burford said about being named the starter. “But a the same time, I’m not really focused on whether it’s the starting position or second-string position, I’m just here to play the game. And I love to do whatever I can to help the team win. So they find something in me thank god, they don’t, keep working and put my best foot forward.”

He’s also been a fan favorite at training camp, warming up the crowd with his moves Saturday.

Other surprises include second-year safety Talanoa Hufanga listed as the starting strong safety, but to spectators attending camp, it really isn’t. The former USC trojan has been the first player out at practice almost every single day of training camp, an idea he adapted from another Trojan, Troy Polamalu.

Out comes Talanoa Hufanga. 45 minutes before practice as usual with a familiar face warming up in the background.#49wz pic.twitter.com/kgL1XwtcFi

— Rohan Chakravarthi (@RohanChakrav) August 9, 2022

On the practice field, Hufanga has impressed with his physicality and versatility, able to lock up George Kittle on one play before picking off the QB later in the week.

Lastly, former starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been named as the fourth quarterback on the roster. A move that Shanahan said was an obligation, rather than an indication.

Jimmy G has been going through his throwing program at the start of each morning, still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery in March.

#49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo throwing in the far back field as training camp is underway 🎯 pic.twitter.com/BtDpOZYRCb

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) August 9, 2022

It remains to be seen who will eventually trade for the veteran signal-caller, as the NFL regular season is now less than a month away.

For all things 49ers and NFL, stay locked in here on Sactown Sports.

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