The San Francisco 49ers PR department published their weekly game release as the team prepares to welcome the Green Bay Packers. The release includes a depth chart, created by the PR department. PR departments all across the league create depth charts for public consumption. The depth charts sometimes include feedback from members of the coaching staff, but really they're just more for discussion than deep insight. In this case, nothing has changed on it from Week 1.
That being said, this is mostly what the 49ers depth chart appears as right now. The "Acker OR Reaser" listing is not particularly accurate, considering Reaser only played defensive snaps for the first time this week. But for the most part, this is what it is.
With that in mind, what changes would you make to this group? You can look at this in one of two ways. On the one hand, you might think some changes can turn this thing around and get it back on track. On the other hand, you might be ready for the great re-build to begin, and thus think it is time to get young guys in the lineup.
I am inclined to lean the latter given how the last two weeks have gone, but even some of those moves might get optimists going. Either way, the line needs some changes. Marcus Martin, Jordan Devey and Erik Pears have struggled mightily, so shaking that up would be a significant first step.
If Bruce Ellington can finally get healthy this week, I would have him as the clear third receiving option after Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. No "OR" in the discussion. He is a potential playmaker, who can be used in a variety of roles. If the 49ers are going to figure out what these young guys can offer long-term, I'd like to see him in the mix more.
I wouldn't mind seeing Arik Armstead worked further and further into the gameplan. Tony Jerod-Eddie is a serviceable player, but he has always struck me as a valuable reserve tool. When a team is not good, rotational guys lose some of that luster. The value just isn't there.
Jim Tomsula talked about this offense being tight end focused. We've seen plenty of the tight ends. I am fine continuing to see how that develops, but I'd love to see more of Blake Bell sooner rather than later. I don't think Vernon Davis is going to be around next year, so figuring out what exactly this team has in that group would be helpful.
QB: Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert
RB: Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush, Jarryd Hayne, Mike Davis
FB: Bruce Miller
WR: Torrey Smith, DeAndrew White
WR: Anquan Boldin, Quinton Patton OR Bruce Ellington
LT: Joe Staley
LG: Alex Boone, Ian Silberman
C: Marcus Martin, Nick Easton
RG: Jordan Devey, Brandon Thomas
RT: Erik Pears, Trent Brown
TE: Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Blake Bell
LDT: Glenn Dorsey, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Arik Armstead
NT: Ian Williams, Mike Purcell
RDT: Quinton Dial, Tank Carradine
OLB: Ahmad Brooks, Corey Lemonier
ILB: NaVorro Bowman, Shayne Skov
ILB: Michael Wilhoite, Nick Bellore
OLB: Aaron Lynch, Eli Harold
LCB: Tramaine Brock, Dontae Johnson
RCB: Kenneth Acker OR Keith Reaser, Shareece Wright
FS: Eric Reid, Jimmie Ward
SS: Antoine Bethea, Jaquiski Tartt, L.J. McCray
P: Bradley Pinion
K: Phil Dawson
H: Bradley Pinion
PR: Reggie Bush OR Jarryd Hayne OR Bruce Ellington
KR: Reggie Bush OR Jarryd Hayne OR Bruce Ellington
LS: Kyle Nelson