Head coach Kyle Shanahan already told reporters the San Francisco 49ers won't deploy the bulk of their starters when they host the Tennessee Titans for the preseason opener at Levi's Stadium on Thursday night.
That largely means backups, third-stringers and an array of players whose chances of making the 53-man roster are slim to none.
Yet those can produce some provocative storylines, too. A player on the roster bubble has everything to gain and a lot to lose, and the chance to put together some solid tape against another opponent can mean everything.
Here are five such players who fit into that category and should command a lot of attention this Thursday.
These 49ers will be under a microscope in preseason Week 1 vs. Titans
No. 1: WR Will Pauling
Undrafted rookie Will Pauling has the longest of odds to make the 53-man roster, especially with the logjam ahead of him on the depth chart. Yet the small-statured receiver has been turning plenty of heads during training camp, and he's already doing the necessary dirty work in the blocking game—added points there.
The Notre Dame product might get a lot of looks with so many of the Niners receivers banged up, and any major output would go a long way toward surprising with a roster spot.
No. 2: S Ashtyn Davis
When San Francisco signed veteran safety Ashtyn Davis earlier this offseason, there was a sense he could easily take over a starting job from Ji'Ayir Brown. Yet camp developments suggest Brown is the reigning favorite to start alongside Malik Mustapha, meaning Davis is appearing to be no bigger than a serviceable backup.
If that.
The 49ers could be eyeing other younger options, such as second-year pro Marques Sigle and undrafted rookie Jalen Stroman, which could push Davis out of the picture entirely.
No. 3: RB Patrick Taylor Jr.
Christian McCaffrey is dealing with tightness, and both Jordan James (ribs) and Kaelon Black (adductor) are beset by injuries, too, leaving the Niners awfully short at running back.
This could be a golden opportunity for Patrick Taylor Jr. to solidify a spot on the regular-season roster, as he figures to get a good share of touches with the three aforementioned names not likely to play.
San Francisco has kept Taylor around largely for his special teams abilities, but a strong preseason showing could go a long way toward ensuring no worse than an RB4 role.
No. 4: CB Renardo Green
After a frustrating and inconsistent 2025 campaign, Renardo Green seems to have a grip on a starting boundary cornerback job entering the preseason despite some ups and downs in practice.
But veteran corner Jack Jones has been making plays—interceptions have yet to become part of Green's game. As such, it appears as if the third-year pro's starting job is in danger, particularly if he struggles and Jones continues to impress.
No. 5: QB Kurtis Rourke
Quarterback Kurtis Rourke redshirted his rookie 2025 season after a collegiate ACL tear, meaning Thursday night likely translates into his first pro-level action against another opponent. With Brock Purdy not poised to play, and probably limited reps for backup Mac Jones, Rourke figures to get a lot of field time against Tennessee's defense.
The Indiana product better make the best of it, too, not only to fend off the incumbent QB3, Adrian Martinez, but also to solidify himself as the 49ers' long-term backup if and when Jones departs via free agency a little less than a year from now.
Rourke's trajectory effectively begins Thursday night.
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