At some point this week (I'm guessing), the 49ers will post what they consider their "official" depth chart for 2009. For now the site says the official depth chart hasn't been released.
The good news is that we do have an unofficial depth chart that seems likely to be pretty close to official. In that game release I received from the team, it includes a page with the unofficial depth chart. A couple weeks ago it would have meant a lot less in terms of week 1 starters. At this point though, even with a couple signs potentially in the offing (a TE and RB/FB), we probably have a pretty good take on it. I'd imagine most of us could write this on our own, but it's still worth posting what the team is saying.
The one thing I still find particularly interesting is that they only list one player at nose tackle (Aubrayo Franklin) with no backups. I'm curious to see how the team rotates players in to keep Franklin fresh. Will we see a line of Smith - Sopoaga/Balmer - Sopoaga/Balmer on occasion? On nickel it will be just as interesting. Maybe go Smith, Sopoaga, Balmer, McDonald? Just one of many things we'll find out on Sunday.
Underline: rookies
Italics: drafted rookie who has yet to sign
[player]: injured
Offense
Pos. | Starter | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
WR | Josh Morgan | Arnaz Battle | Jason Hill | Michael Crabtree |
LT | Joe Staley | Barry Sims | ||
LG | David Baas | Tony Wragge | ||
C | Eric Heitmann | Cody Wallace | ||
RG | Chilo Rachal | Tony Wragge | ||
RT | Adam Snyder | Tony Pashos | ||
TE | Vernon Davis | Delanie Walker | ||
WR | Isaac Bruce | [Brandon Jones] | Micheal Spurlock | |
FB | Moran Norris | |||
RB | Frank Gore | Glen Coffee | Michael Robinson | |
QB | Shaun Hill | Alex Smith | Nate Davis |
Defense
Pos. | Starter | 2nd | 3rd |
LDE | Isaac Sopoaga | Kentwan Balmer | Ricky Jean-Francois |
NT | Aubrayo Franklin | ||
RDE | Justin Smith | Ray McDonald | Demetric Evans |
SAM | Manny Lawson | Marques Harris | |
TED | Takeo Spikes | Scott McKillop | |
MIKE | Patrick Willis | Jeff Ulbrich | |
WILL | Parys Haralson | Ahmad Brooks | |
LCB | Nate Clements | Tarell Brown | Marcus Hudson |
RCB | Shawntae Spencer | Dre' Bly | Allen Rossum |
SS | Michael Lewis | Reggie Smith | |
FS | Dashon Goldson | Mark Roman | Curtis Taylor |
Special Teams
Pos. | Starter | 2nd | 3rd |
P | Andy Lee | ||
K | Joe Nedney | ||
H | Andy Lee | ||
PR | Allen Rossum | Micheal Spurlock | Arnaz Battle |
KR | Allen Rossum | Micheal Spurlock | |
LS | Brian Jennings |