The 49ers PR staff released the second version of the team’s unofficial depth chart on Tuesday and it looked an awful lot like the one they released prior to the team’s first preseason game on Friday. In fact as far as the starters were concerned, there wasn’t a single change.
Perhaps the only (mild) surprise is the fact that C.J. Beathard is still listed behind Matt Barkley as the third string quarterback, following an impressive performance on Friday that followed a stellar start to training camp. The third-round pick tossed two TD passes and went 7-of-11 for 101 yards. Barkely was decent in his own right, however, going 10-of-17 for 168 yards. Expect this battle for the No. 2 spot to continue throughout the preseason, especially after head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the two are “battling hard” for the spot on KNBR last week.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne remains on the end of the depth chart after catching seven passes for 88 yards and a touchdown on Friday, while Aldrick Robinson remains behind starter Marquise Goodwin after a 63-yard reception of his own. Bourne is likely fighting with Victor Bolden Jr. for the final WR spot on the 53-man roster.
First-round picks Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster were also both impressive on Friday. Foster is still listed as the starting WILL linebacker following the season ending injury of Malcolm Smith, while Thomas remains behind Tank Carradine as the backup right defensive end. Thomas received the best overall grade of any player on the field in the 49ers’ preseason opener via Pro Football Focus, pressuring the quarterback three times while also proving effective as a run stopper. After missing OTAs, Thomas will continue to see a ton of snaps in the preseason as the team hopes to have him ready to be a serious contributor once the regular season begins.