San Francisco 49ers: Way-Too-Early 53-Man Roster and Depth Chart Predictions

The San Francisco 49ers drafted 11 players this year: Two defensive ends, two offensive tackles, three cornerbacks, one guard, one running back, one wide receiver and one quarterback.

One of those players probably will start right away and play most of the snaps on offense. Another player certainly will have a significant part-time role and play about half of the snaps on defense. A third player may not make the final roster.

Which rookie is danger of getting cut? Which veterans could get cut as well? And which quarterback will start against the Los Angeles Rams Week 1—Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert or the rookie, Jeff Driskel?

Follow along to read my way-too-early predictions.

Quarterback

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Colin Kaepernick
2	Blaine Gabbert
3	Jeff Driskel

Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert will compete for the starting quarterback job, and Kaepernick probably will win. He still is more talented than Gabbert, who’s a passive check-down machine. Kaepernick has his flaws, too, but at least he competes.

Sixth-round pick Jeff Driskel probably will spend all 16 games on the inactive list—the Niners don’t need to dress three quarterbacks on Sundays.

But in 2017, it’s not out of the question for Driskel to become the starting quarterback, especially if Kaepernick plays poorly in 2016. The Niners can cut Kaepernick at any time, and Gabbert will be a free agent after next season.

Running Back

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Depth Chart	Player
1	Carlos Hyde
2	DuJuan Harris
3	Mike Davis
4	Kelvin Taylor

Carlos Hyde is by far the best running back on the team and could lead the NFL in rushing if he ever stays healthy. But, he probably won’t stay healthy. He has gotten injured each of his first two seasons in the NFL.

Veteran DuJuan Harris should be the favorite for the No. 2 running-back job. He's the 49ers’ fastest running back and catches passes out of the backfield, which will make him an effective change of pace from Hyde.

Last year’s fourth-round pick, Mike Davis, and this year’s sixth-round pick, Kelvin Taylor, will compete to be the Niners’ No. 3 running back. Davis probably will win that competition just because he's older.

Wide Receiver

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Torrey Smith
2	Quinton Patton
3	Bruce Ellington
4	DeAndre Smelter
5	Eric Rogers
6	Aaron Burbridge

With Anquan Boldin no longer on the team, Torrey Smith becomes the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver by default. But he most likely will stay at his old spot, split end—that's the only position he has played in the NFL. He’s not a good enough route-runner to play flanker, nor is he physical enough to play in the slot.

The starting flanker to start the season most likely will be Quinton Patton, while the slot receiver probably will be Bruce Ellington. They should get the first chance to play.

But if they don't play well, second-year receiver DeAndre Smelter and Eric Rogers probably will get a chance to replace them during the middle of the season. Rogers was a slot receiver in the Canadian Football League, so he would replace Ellington. And Smelter played outside at Georgia Tech, so he would replace Patton.

Rookie sixth-round pick Aaron Burbridge probably won’t play as a rookie. But, he has the skill set to line up at all three receiver positions in Chip Kelly’s offense down the line. He could become an important backup next season.

Tight End

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Garrett Celek
2	Blake Bell
3	Vance McDonald

Garrett Celek most likely will be the starter after having a "breakout" season in 2015. He caught a career-high 19 passes and scored three touchdowns in 11 games, establishing himself as both best receiving and blocking tight end on the 49ers.

Second-year tight end Blake Bell isn't nearly as good of a blocker as Celek, but Bell can move and catch. The Niners probably will use him as an H-back who lines up in the slot, similar to the way Chip Kelly used Zach Ertz in Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, former second-round pick Vance McDonald is in danger of getting cut. He needs to show he can catch the ball consistently, or else the Niners may give his roster spot to 2015 seventh-round pick Busta Anderson.

Offensive Line

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Joe Staley
2	Joshua Garnett
3	Daniel Kilgore
4	Zane Beadles
5	Trent Brown
6	Marcus Martin
7	Brandon Thomas
8	John Theus
9	Fahn Cooper

I expect the 49ers will play rookie first-round pick Joshua Garnett at left guard so he can line up between veterans Joe Staley and Daniel Kilgore. Those two will help Garnett transition to the NFL.

On the right side of the line, I expect the Niners will play veteran guard Zane Beadles next to second-year right tackle Trent Brown. That would be smarter than playing Garnett and Brown on the same side, because teams would take advantage of their inexperience.

On the bench, the 49ers probably will keep their two third-round picks from 2014—Marcus Martin and Brandon Thomas—as well as their two fifth-round picks from this year—John Theus and Fahn Cooper—while ditching veterans Andrew Tiller, Jordan Devey and Erik Pears.

Defensive Line

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Arik Armstead
2	DeForest Buckner
3	Quinton Dial
4	Ian Williams
5	Glenn Dorsey
6	Ronald Blair
7	Mike Purcell

Rookie first-round pick DeForest Buckner will start at right defensive end if both Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey are injured when the season begins.

But if one of them is healthy, that player will start at nose tackle, and Quinton Dial will start at right defensive end. In that case, Buckner would come off the bench, just like Arik Armstead did last season. That seems to be the most likely scenario. Buckner probably will be a sub-package interior rusher his rookie season.

Armstead should be a full-time starter at left defensive end after playing only during passing downs last season. He looks much stronger to me in person than he did his rookie season.

When Dorsey returns from his torn ACL, he will be the main backup defensive lineman, because he can play all three defensive line positions. While he’s rehabbing, Mike Purcell will be the primary backup nose tackle, and rookie Ronald Blair will be the primary backup defensive end.

Outside Linebacker

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Ahmad Brooks
2	Aaron Lynch
3	Eli Harold
4	Tank Carradine

For the second season in a row, the 49ers’ starting outside linebackers probably will be Ahmad Brooks and Aaron Lynch. The Niners didn’t add anyone in the draft who can beat out either of those two next season.

In fact, the Niners didn’t draft a single edge-rusher this year. The Niners must believe in their 2015 third-round pick, Eli Harold, and their 2013 second-round pick, Tank Carradine. Those two should get plenty of playing time next season.

Carradine didn't play much the first three seasons of his career. He was a 290-pound defensive tackle, and not a good one. This offseason he lost weight, and next season he'll transition to the edge, where he played at Florida State. He probably will be a pass-rushing specialist for the 49ers.

Inside Linebacker

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	NaVorro Bowman
2	Gerald Hodges
3	Michael Wilhoite
4	Jaquiski Tartt

NaVorro Bowman was an All-Pro last season, and he’s one of the best run defenders in the NFL. Next to him, the Niners have a couple of players who are just guys—Michael Wilhoite and Gerald Hodges. Nothing special.

Those two will compete to play next to Bowman in the base defense. I expect Wilhoite will win that competition, because he is a more disciplined player. Hodges is more athletic than Wilhoite, but Hodges rarely is where he’s supposed to be. That’s a problem for an inside linebacker.

In the sub-packages, I expect the 49ers will replace Wilhoite or Hodges with second-year safety Jaquiski Tartt. Tartt played linebacker on passing downs last season and is much better in coverage than any of the 49ers’ inside linebackers.

Safety

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Eric Reid
2	Antoine Bethea
3	Jimmie Ward
4	L.J. McCray

Many fans expected the 49ers to trade veteran strong safety Antoine Bethea this offseason and anoint second-year safety Jaquiski Tartt as Bethea’s replacement. Hasn't happened.

The Niners are smart to keep Bethea. A young team like San Francisco needs as many veteran leaders as possible, and Bethea is one of the only veteran leaders the 49ers have. He’s valuable.

At free safety, Eric Reid still is the starter, but for how long? Jimmie Ward seemed much more aggressive and effective the last eight games of 2015. Don’t be surprised if Ward takes his spot at free safety either in 2016 or 2017.

The last safety on the depth chart is L.J. McCray, who isn’t really a safety. He’s a special teams specialist, and a very good one.

Cornerback

Jim Lytle/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Tramaine Brock
2	Kenneth Acker
3	Dontae Johnson
4	Keith Reaser
5	Will Redmond
6	Rashard Robinson

The 49ers spent their third- and fourth-round picks on cornerbacks this year, which makes you think new head coach Chip Kelly isn’t thrilled with the corners who already were on the roster.

Last year’s starters were Tramaine Brock and Kenneth Acker, and neither played particularly well. Acker couldn’t cover most NFL receivers man to man, and Brock gave up big plays. He seems to be on the downside of his career.

Still, Brock and Acker most likely will start at corner in 2016 because they have the most experience. But in 2017, I wouldn’t be surprised if the starters become the two corners the Niners drafted this year—Mississippi State’s Will Redmond and LSU’s Rashard Robinson. The other corners on the depth chart—Dontae Johnson and Keith Reaser—seem like long-term backups.

Special Teams

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
Kicker	Phil Dawson
Punter	Bradley Pinion
Kick Returner	Bruce Ellington
Punt Returner	Bruce Ellington

No change here since last season.

Phil Dawson still is the kicker. Bradley Pinion still is the punter. Kyle Nelson still is the long snapper. And Bruce Ellington still is the punt- and kick-returner.

Next season could be Ellington’s breakout year. It will be his third season in the league, and receivers often come into their own during Year 3. Maybe if the 49ers increase Ellington's role on offense and get the ball in his hands more often, he’ll feel more comfortable and confident returning punts and kicks. He still is by far the best returner on the team.

53-Man Roster Prediction

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53-Man Roster Prediction

	Player	Position
1	Colin Kaepernick	QB
2	Blaine Gabbert	QB
3	Jeff Driskel	QB
4	Carlos Hyde	RB
5	DuJuan Harris	RB
6	Mike Davis	RB
7	Kelvin Taylor	RB
8	Torrey Smith	WR
9	Quinton Patton	WR
10	Bruce Ellington	WR
11	DeAndre Smelter	WR
12	Eric Rogers	WR
13	Aaron Burbridge	WR
14	Garrett Celek	TE
15	Blake Bell	TE
16	Vance McDonald	TE
17	Joe Staley	OL
18	Joshua Garnett	OL
19	Daniel Kilgore	OL
20	Zane Beadles	OL
21	Trent Brown	OL
22	Marcus Martin	OL
23	Brandon Thomas	OL
24	John Theus	OL
25	Fahn Cooper	OL
26	Arik Armstead	DL
27	DeForest Buckner	DL
28	Quinton Dial	DL
29	Ian Williams	DL
30	Glenn Dorsey	DL
31	Ronald Blair	DL
32	Mike Purcell	DL
33	Ahmad Brooks	OLB
34	Aaron Lynch	OLB
35	Eli Harold	OLB
36	Tank Carradine	OLB
37	NaVorro Bowman	ILB
38	Gerald Hodges	ILB
39	Michael Wilhoite	ILB
40	Jaquiski Tartt	ILB/S
41	Eric Reid	S
42	Antoine Bethea	S
43	Jimmie Ward	S/CB
44	L.J. McCray	S
45	Tramaine Brock	CB
46	Kenneth Acker	CB
47	Dontae Johnson	CB
48	Keith Reaser	CB
49	Will Redmond	CB
50	Rashard Robinson	CB
51	Phil Dawson	K
52	Bradley Pinion	P
53	Kyle Nelson	H

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