The San Francisco 49ers rolled out their unofficial depth chart for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, and while some spots are locked down, the trenches already look like a real gamble. It’s September 7th, folks, and the questions on the offensive line are already stacking up, hinting at some serious early season headaches.
Backfield Questions and a Solo Fullback
At quarterback, Brock Purdy is the clear starter, with Mac Jones and Kurtis Rourke behind him. No drama there. But the running back room? That’s where things get interesting. Christian McCaffrey is still the guy, but he’s hitting his age 30 season. The source says it looks like a good time to lean more on the backups, and you’ve got to wonder how much that means for his workload. Kaelon Black is projected as the RB2 for now, but the team might rotate him and Jordan James to see who steps up. Could this be a committee approach right out of the gate? Then there’s Kyle Juszczyk. He’s the only fullback on the roster. If he’s out, a tight end would have to fill in. That’s a wild card nobody wants to see.
Wideout Battles and Tight End Options
Over at wide receiver, Mike Evans is locked in. Deebo Samuel is listed, but don’t be surprised if De’Zhaun Stribling quickly takes over that WR2 role. If he keeps up his preseason form, it could happen in a week or two. If Stribling struggles early, expect Samuel and Demarcus Robinson to shoulder a heavier load. Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins are also in the mix. At tight end, George Kittle is the man, with Luke Farrell as the No. 2. Keep an eye on Jake Tonges, though. He’s a better pass-catching option than Farrell, and if Kittle is limited at all in the opener, Tonges could see an expanded role.
The Interior Line Nightmare Is Looming
Now, let’s talk about that offensive line. Trent Williams at left tackle and Colton McKivitz at right tackle are set. But here’s the kicker: Vederian Lowe is the only legitimate swing tackle on the entire roster. With Austen Pleasants on IR, that’s incredibly thin. On the interior, Carver Willis is our pick to start at left guard, but the article straight up says he might not play the entire game against the Rams’ talented front. Without veteran Robert Jones, backups Connor Colby and recently-acquired Jarrett Patterson are the only options. Patterson, who was brought in partly for his versatility, is also the *only* backup center for Jake Brendel. And then there’s right guard Dominick Puni. The 49ers are “hoping desperately” he stays healthy because the interior depth is so slim. Puni can swing out to right tackle if needed, but then who plays guard? This Week 1 matchup against the Rams is going to put that line under a microscope right away.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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