San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

The San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart is at the beginning stages of getting the Chip Kelly makeover.

The San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart looks a lot different from the team that reached the Super Bowl a few years ago. Things look solid on defense but the offense has a lot of holes in key areas.

Quarterback

Starter: Blaine Gabbert
Backups: Colin Kaepernick and Jeff Driskel

The biggest issue facing this franchise is figuring out the quarterback position. They thought they had it solved with Colin Kaepernick, but that seems like a marriage that can’t be repaired. Blaine Gabbert may end up being a solid starter, but he’s not someone who should be considered the long-term answer.

Running Back

Starter: Carlos Hyde
Backups: Mike Davis, Kelvin Taylor and Shaun Draughn

Carlos Hyde figures to get a large majority of the touches at the running back position. He has the talent to be one of the better backs in the league, but needs to show he can stay healthy. Talk is that Shaun Draughn has the inside track to see action in passing situations.

Wide Receiver

Starters: Torrey Smith and Quinton Patton
No. 3: Bruce Ellington
Backups: Aaron Burbridge, DeAndrew White and DeAndre Smelter

This is the biggest weakness on the roster and limits the potential of the offense. Torrey Smith can stretch the field but his inability to work the shorter routes makes him one-dimensional. Both Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington just haven’t developed quick enough.

Rookie Aaron Burnbridge is a sleeper who could earn a major role in the offense. He’s a solid route runner and isn’t afraid to go across the middle.

Tight End

Starter: Vance McDonald
Backups: Garrett Celek, Blake Bell and Bruce Miller

With the lack of talent at the wide receiver position, the 49ers could run a lot of two or three tight end sets. Vance McDonald has shown flashes and could be on the verge of a breakout year.

Blake Bell is also intriguing as someone with excellent physical tools but is still learning the position.

Left Tackle

Starter: Joe Staley
Backups: Fahn Cooper and Kelly Colin

Joe Staley is the rock of this offensive line and will be counted on again to anchor the left side of the line.

Left Guard

Starter: Josh Garnett
Backups: Zane Beadles and Ian Silberman

San Francisco didn’t trade back into the 1st round to select a backup guard. Josh Garnett is going to start and will be an upgrade over Zane Beadles.

Center

Starter: Daniel Kilgore
Backup: Marcus Martin

Marcus Martin has been a major disappointment and will need some luck to unseat Daniel Kilgore.

Right Guard

Starter: Brandon Thomas
Backups: Zane Beadles, Marcus Martin and Ian Silberman

There could be a competition for the starting right guard spot with several candidates on the roster. All four players listed have a legitimate chance to earn the job.

Right Tackle

Starter: Erik Pears
Backups: Fahn Cooper, Trent Brown and John Theus

Erik Pears will head into training camp as the starter, but rookies Fahn Cooper and John Theus will get a chance to play if he struggles.

3-4 Defensive End

Starters: Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner
Backups: Glenn Dorsey, Quinton Dial, Ronald Blair and Tony Jerod-Eddie

The front seven is the strength of this roster where the defensive line has several talented players. Youngsters Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner will be counted on to be major contributors and difference makers.

Nose Tackle

Starter: Ian Williams
Backup: Glenn Dorsey

The combination of Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey is a solid nose tackle group. Neither are space-eater types but hold their own at the point of attack.

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3-4 Outside Linebacker

Starters: Tank Carradine and Aaron Lynch
Backups: Ahmad Brooks, Corey Lemonier and Eli Harold

There’s a ton of depth here at the outside linebacker position which may mean one of these guys doesn’t stick on the roster. This might be the end of the road for veteran Ahmad Brooks time in San Francisco.

I’m looking for a breakout year from Aaron Lynch who has the skills to be among one of the better pass rushers in the league.

Inside Linebacker

Starters: NaVorro Bowman and Gerald Hodges
Backups: Michael Wilhoite, Ray Ray Armstrong and Shayne Skov

Two former Penn Staters, NaVorro Bowman and Gerald Hodges, hold down the starting inside linebacker jobs. San Francisco did a great job rebuilding the depth at this spot with Michael Whilhoite, Ray Ray Armstrong and Shayne Skov all able to step into the starting lineup.

Cornerback

Starters: Donate Johnson and Tramaine Brock
Nickelback: Jimmie Ward
Backups: Chris Davis, Rashard Robinson, Will Redmond, Prince Charles Iworah and Keith Reaser

This is a very intriguing position group for the 49ers as they have several young players with upside. It’s hard to figure out who’ll stick on the roster as most of these guys were drafted in recent years.

The issue is that none of these guys have established themselves as an elite player. Depth is good but at some point someone needs to take that next step.

Safety

Starters: Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea
Backup: Jaquiski Tartt

All three of these guys will see the field this year with Tartt likely getting some time as a safety-linebacker hybrid.