The San Francisco 49ers kick off their 2026 preseason campaign on Thursday, Aug. 13, against the Tennessee Titans, and that means the first unofficial depth chart just came out.
It's important to acknowledge the depth chart is compiled and provided by the Niners' communications staff and not the coaching staff. And considering it's still just the preseason with several weeks to go before games actually matter, one probably shouldn't read too much into the names on the first-, second-, third- and fourth-string units.
But overreactions are still fun, aren't they?
The #49ers release their first unofficial depth chart ahead of the preseason opener against the Titans. pic.twitter.com/VpruTz3Doj
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) August 11, 2026
There are several non-surprises—Brock Purdy as QB1, Christian McCaffrey as RB1, Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw as LBs 1 and 2, respectively.
But let's get triggered a bit and pretend the depth chart is carved in stone, tossing out some overreactions in response.
Overreactions to 49ers' 1st unofficial depth chart
This is also a 90-man roster, not the 53-man regular-season roster we'll see just ahead of Week 1. So, many of the names on the back end of the depth chart won't be around by the time San Francisco is ready to kick off the regular season.
Yet there are some provocative details that generate overreactions.
No. 1: Robert Jones (not Carver Willis) is starting left guard
The 49ers have an open competition at left guard and used a day-three NFL Draft pick to select Carver Willis, who might be the long-term favorite.
But the depth chart suggests Robert Jones, the offseason free-agent pickup, won the job.
This suggests Willis might be a wasted pick, but it's important to remember the Niners frequently start their rookies at the very back end of the depth chart, and Willis has missed training camp time with a concussion.
If Jones gets the primary reps by Week 3 of the preseason, then there's a stronger conclusion.
No. 2: 49ers have no other kickoff return specialists other than Deebo Samuel
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is listed as the primary kick-return specialist, which isn't shocking as he's performed said duties before for San Francisco.
The 49ers may be living in Deebo's glory years, primarily 2021, and his contract does have incentives for all-purpose yards. But it wouldn't be a shock if fellow receiver Jacob Cowing winds up getting the nod on special teams, especially if Samuel is no longer capable of those explosive plays that once defined him.
No. 3: Young players are getting denied a shot at 49ers' SAM linebacker role
Luke Gifford is listed as the No. 1 strong-side (SAM) linebacker, not rookie Jaden Dugger or second-year pro Nick Martin, which points to two more draft whiffs in recent years, right?
It's interesting since coordinator Raheem Morris seemed to give Martin a first crack at SAM duties during training camp, yet the gig ultimately went to Gifford, who's primarily a special teams ace and little more.
Martin hasn't seemed as lost during this year's camp as he was last season, and while raw, Dugger might be Morris' Swiss Army knife.
Preseason snap counts, not unofficial depth charts, ultimately will determine favorites here.
No. 4: Gracen Halton is listed behind Alfred Collins, C.J. West
Rookie defensive tackle Gracen Halton might be the Niners' best overall value pick from last April, yet he's listed with the third string on the depth chart, trailing two second-year pros, Alfred Collins and C.J. West.
Collins, listed as a starter, is probably a two-down lineman who needs to flash after an inconsistent campaign. But San Francisco loves his potential. West, on the other hand, likely should've switched spots with Halton on the depth chart, as the latter has far more upside to offer.
If Halton is notably absent early in the regular season, then it'll be time to worry.
No. 5: 49ers don't list De'Zhaun Stribling as a starting WR
The 49ers' top pick from April's draft, wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, is a second-stringer on the depth chart. That might come as a slight surprise.
Instead, Samuel, Mike Evans and Demarcus Robinson are listed as the top three wideouts, and Stribling is booted down to the second-string unit. For those who want to continue criticizing the Niners' draft class from earlier this spring, this is great ammunition—the rookie couldn't beat out the journeyman, Robinson.
Circling back to how San Francisco starts its rookies at the very bottom of the depth chart to open up camp, Stribling has already worked his way up with several impressive camp performances. Neither Evans nor Samuel should see a lot of field time during the exhibition phase, meaning the rookie should have no shortage of looks.
It's nothing to get worked up about.
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