Last Updated: July 16, 2026 (This projected 49ers depth chart will be updated throughout training camp as injuries, roster moves and preseason performances reshape the starting lineup.)
The San Francisco 49ers still have one of the NFL’s most talented rosters, but they enter training camp with more unanswered questions than they’ve faced in years.
Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Nick Bosa remain the cornerstones of a team chasing another Super Bowl. Around them, however, offseason additions, open competitions and Brandon Aiyuk’s uncertain future have reshaped the projected depth chart.
Below is our projected 49ers depth chart entering 2026 training camp, including projected starters, key backups and the biggest position battles to watch.
| Offense | Defense |
|---|---|
| Brock Purdy | Nick Bosa |
| Christian McCaffrey | Fred Warner |
| Mike Evans | Osa Odighizuwa |
| Christian Kirk | Deommodore Lenoir |
| Ricky Pearsall | Renardo Green |
The projected offensive depth chart includes San Francisco’s expected Week 1 starters entering training camp. While several positions appear settled, left guard and wide receiver depth remain open competitions that could change before the regular season begins.
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Brock Purdy | Mac Jones |
| RB | Christian McCaffrey | Isaac Guerendo |
| FB | Kyle Juszczyk | — |
| WR 1 | Mike Evans | Demarcus Robinson |
| Slot WR | Christian Kirk | Jacob Cowing |
| WR 2 | Ricky Pearsall | De’Zhaun Stribling |
| TE | George Kittle | Luke Farrell |
| LT | Trent Williams | Vederian Lowe |
| LG | Open Competition | Robert Jones / Brett Toth / Connor Colby |
| C | Jake Brendel | Drake Nugent |
| RG | Dominick Puni | Nick Zakelj |
| RT | Colton McKivitz | Brandon Parker |
No position battle will have a greater impact on San Francisco’s season.
The 49ers scored 437 points in 2025, tenth in the NFL, but interior pressure repeatedly disrupted Purdy before deeper route concepts could develop. Improving the offensive line is one of the biggest priorities entering camp.
Robert Jones enters as the most experienced option after starting games in Dallas, but Brett Toth and Connor Colby will receive every opportunity to challenge for the job. Seventh-round pick Connor Colby even started briefly last season before returning to a reserve role, giving him valuable experience in Shanahan’s system.
If one player separates himself, the entire offense becomes more dangerous.
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Nick Bosa | Clelin Ferrell |
| DT | Osa Odighizuwa | Alfred Collins |
| DT | Kevin Givens | C.J. West |
| DE | Mykel Williams | Keion White |
| LB | Fred Warner | Nick Martin |
| LB | Dre Greenlaw | Jaden Dugger |
| CB | Deommodore Lenoir | Jack Jones |
| CB | Renardo Green | Nate Hobbs |
| Nickel | Nate Hobbs | Upton Stout |
| FS | Malik Mustapha | Patrick McMorris |
| SS | Ji’Ayir Brown | Marques Sigle |
For the first time in several seasons, offenses may not be able to devote all of their attention to Bosa. The 49ers finished 2025 allowing 371 points, their highest total in several seasons, making improvements along the defensive front one of the organization’s top offseason priorities.
Odighizuwa arrives after establishing himself as one of the league’s better interior disruptors, while first-round pick Mykel Williams returns from injury looking to build on a promising rookie campaign. Keion White, Alfred Collins and C.J. West give Morris significantly more depth than the 49ers had a year ago.
The result is a defensive front that has a chance to become the strength of the roster once again.
The biggest battle in camp.
Robert Jones, Brett Toth and Connor Colby all have realistic paths to the starting lineup.
Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and Ricky Pearsall appear locked into the top three roles.
That leaves Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing, De’Zhaun Stribling and Jordan Watkins competing for the remaining receiver spots, especially with Brandon Aiyuk away from the team.
Christian McCaffrey is the starter.
Behind him, Isaac Guerendo, Jordan James and Kaelon Black are battling for touches. The backup role could be critical if Shanahan wants to manage McCaffrey’s workload during the regular season.
Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green project as the outside starters, but the slot remains fluid.
Nate Hobbs was signed to compete immediately, while Upton Stout and Jack Jones could also factor into the rotation.
Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown enter camp atop the depth chart, but Patrick McMorris, Marques Sigle and rookie Larry Worth III all have opportunities to climb with strong preseason performances.
| Position | Favorite | Challengers |
|---|---|---|
| Left Guard | Robert Jones | Brett Toth, Connor Colby |
| WR4 | Demarcus Robinson | Jacob Cowing, De’Zhaun Stribling, Jordan Watkins |
| RB2 | Isaac Guerendo | Jordan James, Kaelon Black |
| Nickel | Nate Hobbs | Upton Stout, Jack Jones |
| Safety | Ji’Ayir Brown | Patrick McMorris, Marques Sigle |
The six-time Pro Bowler gives Purdy the biggest outside receiving threat of his career and extends his streak of 12 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons into Santa Clara.
San Francisco has searched for an interior disruptor to complement Bosa for years. Odighizuwa could finally solve that problem.
Versatility is valuable in Morris’ scheme, and Hobbs has experience playing both outside and in the slot.
No player has altered the depth chart more than someone who isn’t expected to participate.
With Aiyuk on the Reserve/Left Squad, the 49ers have built the receiver room around Evans, Kirk and Pearsall while giving younger players additional opportunities to earn meaningful roles.
If Aiyuk eventually returns, the offense becomes deeper overnight.
If he doesn’t, training camp will determine whether San Francisco has already found its replacement.
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The top of the roster remains championship caliber.
Purdy, McCaffrey, Kittle, Bosa and Warner are proven stars, while additions like Evans, Odighizuwa and Hobbs address several weaknesses that surfaced last season.
Whether the 49ers become legitimate Super Bowl contenders again may depend less on their stars than on who wins the battles at left guard, wide receiver depth, running back and in the secondary over the next month.
Training camp won’t just shape the 49ers depth chart, it could define San Francisco’s entire 2026 season.
Who is the 49ers’ starting quarterback?
Brock Purdy enters training camp as San Francisco’s undisputed starter, with Mac Jones projected as the primary backup.
Who starts at wide receiver?
Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and Ricky Pearsall project as the starting trio while Brandon Aiyuk remains on the Reserve/Left Squad.
What is the biggest position battle?
Left guard is the most significant competition because it directly affects Purdy’s protection and the offense’s consistency.
Who are the biggest offseason additions to the 49ers depth chart?
Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, Osa Odighizuwa, Nate Hobbs and Keion White headline San Francisco’s revamped roster.
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