49ers Depth Chart: Where does the 90-man roster stand?

May 9, 2024, 1:24 PM | Updated: 3:39 pm

Brock Purdy #13 (L) of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Christian McCaffrey #23 during...

Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers are finally down to 90 men on their roster ahead of rookie minicamp this weekend.

But where each position stands is the true question, especially with so many new names throughout the roster. Those battles will be settled throughout the summer and fall.

However, we like to predict a bit. So for now, here’s where things likely stand with every player on the 49ers roster at the moment.

(Players in italics are 2024 draft picks, players in bold are undrafted free agents)

#49ers Leonard Floyd is not wasting time this offseason 😤 pic.twitter.com/FhgBoY8fxt

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) May 9, 2024

Quarterback

Projected Depth Chart:

Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Allen, Tanner Mordecai

Current State:

If the last two years have proved anything, it’s Brock Purdy’s job to lose.

The 24-year-old Pro Bowl QB has made his case to be the franchise’s cornerstone at the position, which is a luxury given the past decade or so.

But where does that leave the other guys?

SF brought in Josh Dobbs for competition, making Brandon Allen’s life a little bit harder. Those two will likely be battling all training camp to be the No.2 behind Purdy.

Besides that, this position is set in stone.

Running Back

Projected Depth Chart:

Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor, Cody Shrader

Current State:

The depth chart at running back has been set since the fall of 2022. It’s Christian McCaffrey and then everyone else.

That won’t change unless CMC gets hurt. But, that’s why having depth behind him is so vital.

Right now, Elijah Mitchellhas the No.2 spot, with Jordan Mason ight behind him. Could that change by the fall? Absolutely. Especially with rookie Isaac Guerendo now in the fold.

For now, it’s the veterans over the rookies in Shanahan’s mind. But as we all know, things change fast if one of the backups gets the hot hand.

Wide Receiver

Projected Depth Chart:

Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing, Ronnie Bell, Trent Taylor, Chris Conley, Danny Gray, Tay Martin, Terique Owens

Current State:

Similar to running back, the 49ers are pretty set in stone when it comes to the wideout hierarchy. Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel are the No.1s, Jauan Jennings is the third option, and then there’s everybody else.

Well, maybe not.

With the 49ers drafting two WRs in the first four rounds of last month’s draft, it’s clear they want to be a more pass-oriented offense. That could mean more opportunities for the young bucks, especially first-rounder Ricky Pearsall. QB Brock Purdy proved that he is an elite passer last season, especially with his accuracy. Which translates into what SF decided to do in the draft, taking two players that get open.

Could that mean Pearsall and fourth-rounder Jacob Cowing get more touches sooner than later? Potentially, but they’ll have to earn it with Kyle Shanahan.

At the very least, SF’s WR room is the deepest it’s been in years. The supporting cast will be tasked with helping Purdy operate the offense when the time comes (or if injuries arise).

Tight End

Projected Depth Chart:

George Kittle, Brayden Willis, Cameron Latu, Eric Saubert, Jake Tonges, Mason Pline

Current State:

The 49ers tied their very best to draft an additional tight end last month. No dice. So, SF goes into 2024 with only one reliable option in George Kittle.

This could be a weakness for the 49ers entering next season. Or, what if more young prospects take the next step? That’s what the Red & Gold are hoping for from 2023 draftees Cameron Latu and Brayden Willis. The latter featured more for SF last season, and by more I mean suiting up for seven games in total. Latu suffered a season-ending injury before the start of the regular season.

The 49ers also signed journeyman Eric Saubert this offseason, at least giving the roster a floor at the position.

Shanahan will be hoping for more from the others though, especially considering Kittle’s injury history.

Offensive Line

Projected Depth Chart:

Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Jon Feliciano, Colton McKivitz, Jaylon Moore, Dominick Puni, Spencer Burford, Brandon Parker, Ben Bartch, Jarrett Kingston, Nick Zakelj, Corey Luciano, Sebastian Gutierrez, Isaac Alarcon, Drake Nugent, Briason Mays

Current State:

The 49ers’ offensive line will likely remain the same as it was at Super Bowl LVIII. Except, there could be a changing of the guard at right guard (clever huh).

Shanahan and Lynch may not have added a Day 1 starter in the draft, but they did add some intriguing prospects for the future. The most likely to see game action is Dominick Puni, a do-it-all tackle that plays across the line. The Kansas alum has no issue playing on the inside and that could open doors for him to be the successor next to Colton McKivitz.

Third-year OL Spencer Burford was very disappointing last season, to the point that Jon Feliciano took his job halfway through the year. The latter is expected to retain the starting role for now, with Burford and the other young guys fighting for roster spots.

Besides that, SF’s O-Line is remaining the same, barring injury.

Defensive Line

Projected Depth Chart:

Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Jordan Elliott, Kevin Givens, Drake Jackson, Kalia Davis, Robert Beal, T.Y. McGill, Austin Bryant, Alex Barrett, Raymond Johnson, Sam Okuayinonu, Earnest Brown, Evan Anderson

Current State:

Strength in numbers as they say up north in San Francisco, the same can be said for the 49ers’ approach to the defensive line.

SF experienced a mass exodus of talent in free agency, which happens when you’re so top heavy. They also brought in a plethora of talent, the biggest name being Leonard Floyd.

The 49ers also replaced Arik Armstead with Maliek Collins, a cheaper and similar efficient player next to Javon Hargrave.

Players like Gross-Matos, Elliot and even Drake Jackson figure to feature for the 49ers’ rotation. The hope will be that one of the younger players takes the leap this season. Otherwise it’ll be a group by committee if Bosa or the stars can’t get it done.

Linebacker

Projected Depth Chart:

Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, De’Vondre Campbell, Ezekiel Turner, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters, Jalen Graham, Curtis Robinson, Tatum Bethune

Current State:

The 49ers’ LB room stays practically the same, however Dre Greenlaw will be M.I.A. for the start of the 2024 season.

SF’s No. 2 is recovering from a torn achilles suffered in the Super Bowl, putting his on the shelf until further notice. That could mean anywhere from a few to potentially half of the 2024 regular season. Either way, he will be back at some point, just not right away.

Former Pro-Bowler De’Vondre Campbell was signed to alleviate those concerns. Campbell will serve as the second option behind Fred Warner for now, with the guys like Graham and Flannigan-Fowles and Winters getting extended looks in training camp.

Robinson and Turner will likely serve as special-teamers, but could play bigger roles if needed.

Cornerback

Projected Depth Chart:

Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Isaac Yiadom, Darrell Luter, Samuel Womack, Ambry Thomas, Rock Ya-Sin, Chase Lucas, Kemon Hall

Current State:

The 49ers’ secondary has been addressed this offseason, in both free agency and the draft.

Players like Green, Yiadom and Ya-Sin will be seen as likely candidates to push for the No.3 spot behind Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir. Luter, Womack and Thomas will also be in consideration, making the 2024 training camp even more spicy at the position.

Green seems to be the player earmarked for first crack at becoming a starter, but will have to prove it under secondary coach Daniel Bullocks.

Both Lucas and Hall will be practice-squaders, or on special teams.

Safety

Projected Depth Chart:

Talanoa Hufanga, Ji’Ayir Brown, George Odum, Malik Mustapha, Erik Harris, Tayler Hawkins, Jaylen Mahoney

Current State:

Just like at CB, the safety competition promises to be fiery in August.

The future of Talanoa Hufanga with the 49ers seems very much in the air after suffering a torn ACL halfway through last season. The former All-Pro will have to prove his worth in Year 4, hoping to secure a massive contract extension. He’ll have competition though, with Odum and newcomer Malik Mustapha looking for a prominent role on defense.

Second-year Ji’Ayir Brown figures to be the only player safe at the position. But even then, there are no guarantees.