The 49ers released their unofficial depth chart for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. They’ll hold interviews tomorrow and the rest of the week during open locker room. Bruce Miller and Colin Kaepernick will be subjects, but so will playing time amongst these 53 players.
A couple quick notes:
-Neither first-round pick, DeForest Buckner or Joshua Garnett, will begin the season as starters. Expect Buckner to rotate in heavily as a pass rusher. Garnett on the other hand will likely have to wait until an injury occurs to see the field. Zane Beadles held him off at right tackle.
-Instead, Anthony Davis gets the start at right guard, a brand new position for him. It says a lot that Trent Brown was able to hold down that right tackle position.
-The team lists three starting wide receivers — Torrey Smith, Quinton Patton and Jeremy Kerley, the latter of which did not play in one San Francisco preseason game.
-Ray-Ray Armstrong and Gerald Hodges both beat out Michael Wilhoite in the linebacking competition, but it’s unclear who will garner more snaps. This competition is obviously bleeding into the regular season. It may remain a platoon, or someone could emerge.
-Jimmie Ward’s evolution goes from safety, to nickel back, to now starting right cornerback. If there’s somebody who will break out on defense, it’ll probably be him.
-All the backup cornerbacks are grouped together, which suggests Chris Davis’ hold on the nickel back spot is not firmly gripped. Rookie Rashard Robinson had an athletic interception to conclude the preseason against the Chargers and is the most intriguing backup.
