Snap count clears up the 49ers unofficial depth chart to some degree

The San Francisco 49ers released their unofficial depth chart for Week 2, and the only change is the removal of injured linebacker Dekoda Watson. The team placed Watson on IR last weekend, and currently has an open roster spot. They visited with two potential Watson replacements, but they also will be considering inside linebacker and right guard options if Brock Coyle, Mike Person, and/or Joshua Garnett do not recover in time for this Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions.

The unofficial depth chart is always off compared to what we see on Sunday, in large part because it is compiled by the PR staff and not the coaching staff. We can just take a few minutes to look at the Week 1 snap count to see where things don’t necessarily line up.

Matt Breida is listed as the starting running back, but he finished with four fewer snaps than Alfred Morris. Neither is really the “starter” for the time being as the team will likely rotate them based on the situation. Breida is likely to get more work in the passing game, while Morris is a more traditional back.

Garrett Celek is listed as the tight end starter, but George Kittle more than doubled him up in snaps (51 to 23). Celek is a more traditional blocking back, while Kittle is better suited in pass catching, and Jimmy Garoppolo showed his comfort level targeting Kittle.

On defense, Mark Nzeocha is listed as the starting SAM linebacker, while K’Waun Williams is the starting nickel back. Against the Vikings, they were not on the field at the same time. Nzeocha operated in the basic 4-3 look, while Williams came on in nickel and dime situations. Williams played 38 snaps to Nzeocha’s 33 snaps, showing us the difference between nickel/dime work and basic 4-3 work.

The 49ers return to practice on Wednesday, and head coach Kyle Shanahan has said the team will fill the 53rd roster spot by then. Will it be a SAM linebacker, or will they go in a different direction?