The 49ers roster and depth chart are set for Sunday’s Week 1 tilt vs. the Chicago Bears, and there are a number of changes from how the team looked heading into the beginning of last year.
Most notable is that Jimmy Garoppolo has been moved into the number two QB spot, after spending all of training camp in the fourth slot, when the 49ers had assumed he’d be off the team soon. He’s ahead of Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy, with San Francisco pulling a rare move in electing to keep three QBs
The middle of the offensive line is also quite a bit different with G Aaron Banks, C Jake Brendel and G Spencer Burford having a combined three NFL starts (all Brendel) to their names heading into the season. They replace Laken Tomlinson who left via free agency, Alex Mack who retired, and Daniel Brunskill who has been dropped into a backup role for now.
The defensive line looks similar, with the departure of D.J. Jones making way for Javon Kinlaw and Arik Armstead to man the inside positions, and Samson Ebukam being promoted as the team’s No. 2 edge rusher opposite Nick Bosa.
In the secondary, rookie Samuel Womack III was rewarded with the starting nickel job after his excellent camp, joining Emmanuel Moseley and newcomer Charvarius Ward. With Jimmy Ward out for at least four weeks, free agent special teams ace George Odum will take over the single high position. Talanoa Hufanga takes over for the departed Jaquiski Tartt at the other safety position, who himself has become a free agent again.
Here’s the entire Week 1 depth chart, as compiled by the 49ers public relations staff:
