San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart: How the Roster Shapes Up for Week 1 vs. the Los Angeles Rams

As the San Francisco 49ers prepare for their Week 1 showdown against the Los Angeles Rams, the franchise has unveiled its unofficial depth chart — and now we’re breaking it down to show exactly how the roster could line up on offense when the season kicks off on Thursday night.

From quarterback to right tackle, every position group has its own story heading into the 2026 opener. Some spots are clear-cut, while others are genuine question marks that could shift dramatically during the early weeks of the campaign. Here’s our comprehensive look at the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterback: Brock Purdy Locks Down the Top Spot

1. Brock Purdy
2. Mac Jones
3. Kurtis Rourke

The 49ers’ quarterback hierarchy is as clear as it gets heading into this season. Brock Purdy sits firmly at No. 1, and there are no real questions about who will undercenter on game days. Mac Jones serves as the experienced backup, while Kurtis Rourke rounds out the room as the emergency third quarterback — a role that would keep the team covered on game-day rosters without adding much in-game value unless injury strikes.

Running Back: McCaffrey’s Workload and the RB2 Battle

1. Christian McCaffrey
2. Kaelon Black
3. Jordan James

The 49ers’ running back depth chart carries two significant questions this season. First, just how secure is Kaelon Black’s grip on the RB2 role? He appears to be the frontrunner for now, but don’t be surprised if the coaching staff rotates through the duo behind McCaffrey — especially in relief appearances — to evaluate whether one standout emerges over the other during the regular season.

The second question is even more consequential: how much will McCaffrey, who is entering his age-30 season, reduce his carries? Given the impressive talent sitting behind him on the depth chart, it seems like a smart strategic move for San Francisco to begin leaning on its backup running backs this year. Doing so could extend McCaffrey’s prime while giving the 49ers a fresh set of legs in the back half of games.

Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk Stands Alone

1. Kyle Juszczyk

There isn’t another fullback on the 49ers’ roster — period. If Kyle Juszczyk were to miss any snaps due to injury or rest, one of the tight ends would likely be called upon to fill in. It’s a thin position group that underscores just how reliant the offense is on Juszczyk’s dual-threat ability as both a lead blocker and a receiver out of the backfield.

Wide Receiver: Stribling’s Emergence Could Shake Up the Hierarchy

1. Mike Evans
2. De’Zhaun Stribling
3. Deebo Samuel
4. Demarcus Robinson
5. Jacob Cowing
6. Jordan Watkins

The 49ers’ wide receiver room is deep and full of intriguing possibilities. While Deebo Samuel might officially be listed as a Week 1 starter, there’s a strong case that De’Zhaun Stribling could quickly assume the WR2 role as he gets his NFL legs under him. If Stribling picks up right where he left off during the preseason, it shouldn’t take more than a week or two for him to carve out a regular role.

However, if Stribling struggles out of the gate, expect Samuel and Demarcus Robinson to shoulder a heavier workload than most anticipated. With Mike Evans anchoring the top of the chart and a solid group of young options behind him, the 49ers have plenty of flexibility to adjust on the fly.

Tight End: Kittle’s Health Dictates Everything

1. George Kittle
2. Luke Farrell
3. Jake Tonges

Luke Farrell is expected to be the No. 2 tight end as long as George Kittle remains healthy. Jake Tonges was largely a non-factor on offense last season when Kittle was on the field, but the situation changes dramatically if Kittle is limited in any way during the opener. In that scenario, Tonges would see an expanded role — and that’s an exciting development, since he’s a superior pass-catching option compared to Farrell.

The 49ers’ tight end strategy essentially revolves around Kittle’s health and availability. When he’s on the field, the offense is significantly more potent, and the coaching staff knows it.

Left Tackle: Trent Williams Anchors the Line

1. Trent Williams
2. Vederian Lowe

This position is straightforward. Trent Williams is the clear-cut starter at left tackle, with Vederian Lowe as the only legitimate swing tackle on the roster. With Austen Pleasants currently sitting on injured reserve, the 49ers have limited flexibility behind Williams — making Lowe’s availability all the more critical for game-planning purposes.

Left Guard: Carver Willis Takes the Reigns

1. Carver Willis
2. Connor Colby
3. Jarrett Patterson

Carver Willis is our pick to start at left guard in Week 1, though his snap count could be limited depending on how the game unfolds against a talented Rams front seven. Without veteran Robert Jones on the roster to provide a reliable backup option, the 49ers are banking on Willis to hold up — with Connor Colby and the recently acquired Jarrett Patterson serving as the depth behind him.

The thin interior offensive line depth is a concern that will follow the 49ers throughout the season, making health and performance at this position especially important.

Center: Jake Brendel and Jarrett Patterson Provide Flexibility

1. Jake Brendel
2. Jarrett Patterson

Jarrett Patterson was acquired by the 49ers specifically for his versatility. He’s in the mix to start at left guard and also serves as the backup center should Jake Brendel be unavailable. With Patterson on the roster, the 49ers now have at least one legitimate contingency plan at the center position — though Brendel is expected to be the Week 1 starter.

Right Guard: Dominick Puni’s Health Is Paramount

1. Dominick Puni
2. Connor Colby

Given the 49ers’ ongoing struggles to solidify their interior offensive line, the team is hoping desperately that Dominick Puni can make it through the season healthy. With so few options on the interior, Puni’s importance extends well beyond his starting role — he’s a linchpin of the entire offensive line rotation.

Right Tackle: Colton McKivitz Starts, Lowe Serves as Swing

1. Colton McKivitz
2. Vederian Lowe

With Vederian Lowe locked into the left tackle position, Colton McKivitz is the expected starter at right tackle. Lowe is once again the only legitimate swing tackle option on the roster while Austen Pleasants remains on IR. That said, right guard Dominick Puni — who played offensive tackle in college — could conceivably swing out to right tackle if Lowe is already committed to the left side, giving the 49ers a creative workaround for their thin tackle depth.

All signs point to an interesting and potentially unpredictable offensive line situation for the 49ers heading into the season. The roster construction at interior positions leaves little room for error, and coaches will need to manage snaps carefully throughout the campaign.

What It All Means for Week 1 Against the Rams

Putting the entire depth chart together, the 49ers enter the 2026 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams with a solid offensive foundation at the skill positions — anchored by Purdy at quarterback and McCaffrey in the backfield — but significant questions lurking in the offensive line room. The tackle spots have only one viable swing option at each end, and the interior line lacks the veteran depth that could prove crucial in a long season.

The wide receiver room offers intriguing upside with Stribling’s potential emergence, and the tight end group’s viability hinges almost entirely on Kittle’s health. For fantasy football managers and casual fans alike, keeping an eye on how these depth chart positions shake out during preseason action — and early in the regular season — will be essential to understanding the 49ers’ offensive trajectory.

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Sports, NFL, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, 2026 NFL Season, Depth Chart, Week 1, Preseason, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams, NFL Offense, Fantasy Football