49ers roster turnover: Has the offensive tackle position improved?

The 49ers rookies report to training camp today, with veterans following them next Wednesday. We're continuing our countdown to training camp with the final penultimate article of our series titled "49ers roster turnover." I'm going through the various position groups and considering how the roster has changed over the last 12 months. We'll take a look at the team's depth chart heading into the first preseason game last year, prior to Week 1 of the regular season, the Super Bowl and then how it currently stands. Four depth charts give us an idea of how the roster developed over the course of the year.

Today, we wrap up the offensive side of the ball by looking at the 49ers offensive tackle positions. The team has their two starters locked in for the foreseeable future, but the depth battles will be something to watch in training camp. Here is a look at the how the depth chart has shaken out over the last 12 months.

Preseason 2012 depth chart

LT: Joe Staley, Alex Boone, Derek Hall, Kenny Wiggins
RT: Anthony Davis, Mike Person, Derek Hall, Kenny Wiggins

Week 1 depth chart

LT: Joe Staley
RT: Anthony Davis

Practice Squad: Kenny Wiggins

Super Bowl depth chart

LT: Joe Staley
RT: Anthony Davis

Practice Squad: Kenny Wiggins

Current depth chart

LT: Joe Staley, Kenny Wiggins, Carter Bykowski
RT: Anthony Davis, Patrick Omameh

Injured: Luke Marquardt

The most notable aspect of this is the fact that the 49ers did not list a backup offensive tackle on the depth chart. Many figured an injury to Staley or Davis would results in Alex Boone swinging out to tackle. Leonard Davis played some tackle at one point, but it seems like the 49ers would have moved out Boone and then dropped in Davis or Daniel Kilgore at the guard position.

This year, there seems to be a legitimate position battle for swing tackle work. Matt Barrows listed Adam Snyder at the left guard position in his pre-training camp depth chart, but I have to imagine he gets some work at tackle as well. Snyder can play all five positions on the line, although his primary work of late has been at guard. We'll have to see what practices bring next week.

If Snyder only gets work at guard and center, the position battles become a lot more interesting. Kilgore and Looney seem just about locked in for interior line depth, leaving potentially Snyder, along with Kenny Wiggins, Carter Bykowski and Patrick Omameh competing for that swing tackle spot. Luke Marquardt could as well, but I remain convinced he spends much of the season on the NFI list.

Keep Reading:

• Why charges were not pressed against Ahmad Brooks
• Corey Lemonier explains the pronunciation of his last name
• A look at the Houston Texans offseason
• 90-in-90 roster breakdowns