Considering the 49ers have a game in a few days, a depth chart is certainly a useful tool. Of course, given the fact that several spots in the lineup are in the midst of heated competition, an unofficial depth chart can give us some strong clues about position battles.
Offense
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | 4th string |
| WR | Bryant Johnson | Jason Hill | Ashley Lelie | J. Morgan/C. Colvin |
| LT | Joe Staley | Damane Duckett | Joe Toledo | Ramiro Pruneda |
| LG | Adam Snyder | Brian De La Puente | ||
| C | Eric Heitmann | Cody Wallace | ||
| RG | Tony Wragge | Chilo Rachal | John Booker | |
| RT | Jonas Jennings | Barry Sims | Alan Reuber | |
| TE | Vernon Davis | Delanie Walker | Billy Bajema | C. Wallace/JJ Finley |
| WR | Isaac Bruce | Arnaz Battle | Dominique Zeigler | Jerard Rabb |
| QB | Alex Smith | Shaun Hill | J.T. O'Sullivan | Kyle Wright |
| RB | Frank Gore | DeShaun Foster | Michael Robinson | Thomas Clayton |
| FB | Moran Norris | Zak Keasey |
First off, at the 49ers website, the 3 QBs are all listed under the #1 slot. I just split them out because of the lack of room in the single box.
Not a ton of surprises here. Based on what Maiocco and Barrows have described from practice, Zak Keasey has been getting most of the first team snaps. They list Norris first, but we'll learn more once the games get under way.
The only other real interesting spot is seeing Jason Hill leapfrogged over Ashley Lelie. I'd imagine much of that has to do with Lelie's injury, but it's definitely a precarious position. Additionally, Dominique Zeigler is ahead of Josh Morgan on the depth chart right now. If Morgan could pass Lelie, we could see some real youth at the end of the depth chart at wide receiver.
Defense
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string | 4th string |
| DE | Isaac Sopoaga | Kentwan Balmer | Walter Curry | |
| NT | Aubrayo Franklin | Ronald Fields | Joe Cohen | Atiyyah Ellison |
| DE | Justin Smith | Ray McDonald | LaJuan Ramsey | Louis Holmes |
| OLB | Manny Lawson | Jay Moore | ||
| MLB | Jeff Ulbrich | Brandon Moore | Larry Grant | |
| MLB | Patrick Willis | Dontarrious Thomas | Dennis Haley | |
| OLB | Parys Haralson | Tully Banta-Cain | Roderick Green | |
| CB | Nate Clements | Donald Strickland | Tarell Brown | A. Rossum/M. Curry |
| CB | Walt Harris | Shawntae Spencer | Marcus Hudson | Reggie Smith |
| SS | Michael Lewis | Keith Lewis | Lewis Baker | |
| FS | Mark Roman | Dashon Goldson | DJ Parker |
Not too many surprises on defense. The "Ted" position remains a mystery beyond Jeff Ulbrich. The second team defense this Friday will tell us a lot about the middle linebackers. I'm not surprised Donald Strickland is ahead of Brown and Smith on the depth chart. Strickland has made some plays for the team and proven himself up to this point.
Special Teams
| Position | 1st string | 2nd string | 3rd string |
| K | Joe Nedney | Ricky Schmitt | |
| P | Andy Lee | Ricky Schmitt | |
| KR | Allen Rossum | Michael Robinson | Josh Morgan |
| PR | Allen Rossum | Arnaz Battle | Nate Clements |
| LS | Brian Jennings | Billy Bajema | |
| Holder | Andy Lee | Arnaz Battle |
All in all, not a whole lot of surprises in the various depth charts. I definitely think Ashley Lelie has his work cut out for him if he even wants to make the 53-man roster. He was limping after practice today from what he called "fatigue." Gonna be an interesting few weeks coming up.