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San Francisco 49ers: Early predictions for 2017 depth chart, 53-man roster

By Peter Panacy

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback (3)

Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley, C.J. Beathard

Veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer will be the starter in 2017. And that’s just fine. Like many of San Francisco’s offseason free-agent additions, Hoyer has experience working under Kyle Shanahan from both of their days with the Cleveland Browns back in 2014.

And Hoyer even led the NFL with an impressive 13.7 yard per completion that season. Not bad.

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The real battle will be for the primary backup spot. It might have already been decided, with fellow free-agent signee Matt Barkley holding the clipboard and rookie third-round pickup C.J. Beathard developing.

Beathard projects as a career backup. But Shanahan apparently wanted no other collegiate QB aside from Beathard, so let that project play out as it may.

Shanahan won’t be pressed into rushing Beathard into a starter’s role anytime soon. And it’s entirely possible his development stalls before ever getting the chance.

Next: Predicting each 49ers rookie's role in 2017

For now, it’s Hoyer’s offense.

If you did the math, 49 players make the roster. The rest — yet to be determined here — will be decided largely by who stands out on special teams.

And we’ll let you make the predictions there. Chime in on the comments section.