49ers Release Depth Chart

Jim Harbaugh and his coaches released the 49ers dept chart for the start of the regular season.  There were a few surprise starters on offense and defense. Harbaugh went with veterans over younger players at some positions.  Overall the depth chart is what I expected even with who is starting at quarterback.

On offense the most notable player position on the depth chart is Michael Crabtree who is listed last at wide receiver.  WR’s Joshua Morgan and Ted Ginn Jr. are listed as the starters with Braylon Edwards lining up as the number three receiver in the slot. I thought Edwards would be the number two receiver starting along Morgan but having Ginn on the outside makes sense.  He can use his speed to be the deep threat on the outside with Edwards in the slot position.  Today Crabtree went through his second straight day of full practice and he is expected to suit up on Sunday.  Even if he does Crabtree will be sitting on the sidelines because he has missed all of the preseason with a broken foot.  It will be a while before we see any significant playing time from Crabtree.

At center Jonathan Goodwin won the job over Adam Snyder.  Snyder struggled along with the rest of the O-line in the preseason but he had a good game against the Raiders.  I thought Snyder had played well enough in that game and against the Chargers to start at right guard but Chilo Rachal will be the starter at guard on the right side of the line.  Rachal entered training camp 30 pounds lighter and was determined to be the starting right guard.  Rachal has played up and down for the 49ers since he was drafted in the second round in 2008.  With Rachal coming into training camp lighter and more focused he knows this could be a make or break season.

At running back Anthony Dixon is listed as the number two RB ahead of rookie Kendall Hunter.  Hunter had the better preseason than Dixon but both should see plenty of touches during the season.  Hunter will spell Frank Gore while Dixon will see most of his carries in short yardage and goal line plays.  Another reason why Hunter is listed at number three is because he will be returning kickoffs, if there are any to return with the new rules.

OFFENSE DEPTH CHART

POS     First                                Second                            Third

WR      Ted Ginn Jr.                 Braylon Edwards

LT        Joe Staley                     Alex Boone

LG       Mike Iupati                   Daniel Kilgore

C         Jonathan Goodwin     Adam Snyder

RG       Chilo Rachal                 Adam Snyder

RT       Anthony Davis            Mike Person

TE        Vernon Davis              Delanie Walker

WR      Joshua Morgan           Kyle Williams               Michael Crabtree

FB       Moran Norris               Bruce Miller

RB       Frank Gore                   Anthony Dixon             Kendall Hunter

QB       Alex Smith                    Colin Kaepernick         Scott Tolzien

On defense there were two positions that stood out.  Tarell Brown will start at right cornerback beating out last season’s starter Shawntae Spencer.  Spencer has been slowed down with a hamstring injury which is why he is not listed as the starter but it will be interesting to see if he can come back from the injury.  I think Spencer will be able to contribute to the defense but not as a starter because of the injury.

Dashon Goldson will be the starter at free safety winning the battle over free agent Madieu Williams.  Goldson, like Spencer, is suffering from an injury.  Goldson has a knee injury that will keep him from playing in the season opener.  Williams will start against the Seahawks but if Goldson wants to keep his starting job he needs to play in week two.

Parys Haralson is listed as the starter at outside linebacker over rookie Aldon Smith.  Smith showed his ability in training camp and his pass rushing skills in the preseason but Harbaugh went with the more experienced veteran.  Smith will be in the mix with Haralson at outside linebacker but I think it is only a matter of weeks before Smith is the starter, like next week.

DEFENSE DEPTH CHART

POS     First                                 Second                                 Third

LDT     Ray McDonald             Demarcus Dobbs

NT       Isaac Sopoaga              Ricky Jean Francois      Ian Williams

RDT     Justin Smith                 Will Tukuafu

OLB    Ahmad Brooks

ILB      NaVorro Bowman      Larry Grant

ILB      Patrick Willis                Tavares Gooden           Blake Costanzo

OLB    Parys Haralson            Aldon Smith

LCB     Carlos Rogers              Chris Culliver

RCB    Tarell Brown                Tramaine Brock              Shawntae Spencer

FS        Dashon Goldson         Madieu Williams           Colin Jones

SS        Donte Whitner             C.J. Spillman                  Reggie Smith