The 49ers set out to retain as much of their 2019 roster as possible heading into the 2020 season. That led to a relatively slow free agency period where a majority of their moves have been re-signing key depth players and a couple of defensive starters.
There are a few moves that’ll shake up what their starting lineup looks like going into the 2020 season. They traded away defensive tackle DeForest Buckner for a first-round pick, released starting right guard Mike Person, and let wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders exit to the Saints in free agency.
With free agency still open and the NFL draft still a month away, we went through the 49ers roster and made a way-too-early starting lineup projection. San Francisco ran 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers) and 21 personnel (two running backs, one tight end, two wide receivers) about the same amount last year, so the lineup reflects both of those formations.
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo
This is the easiest call on the list. Even with talks of a 49ers possible flirtation with Tom Brady, it’s hard to imagine they ever gave serious consideration to parting ways with the signal caller who took them to the Super Bowl in his first full season as a starter. With a full healthy offseason, Garoppolo should come back better next year.
Running back
Raheem Mostert
There’s not a real “starter” for the 49ers since they have a committee of capable backs. Mostert, based on what we saw last season though, should be the team’s closest thing to a starter who earns a majority of the carries over the course of the season. Jerick McKinnon restructured his contract and could compete for time. Tevin Coleman is still on the roster, Matt Breida earned a second-round tender, and Jeff Wilson got an exclusive rights tender. This is going to be a crowded backfield again, but Mostert should be the de facto starter.
Fullback
Kyle Juszczyk
Obviously.
Wide receiver
Deebo Samuel
Kendrick Bourne
Trent Taylor
Poring over the wide receiver depth chart makes it clear a rookie will likely fill one of those starting spots. Taylor missed all of last season with a foot injury, and Bourne is a fine player, but probably best served as a third option. Samuel and Bourne feel like the only sure things among the 49ers’ group of pass catchers. After that, the group features Richie James Jr., Marquise Goodwin, Dante Pettis, Jalen Hurd and Travis Benjamin. They’ll all contend for starting jobs, which makes it clear the 49ers could use an injection of talent at the top of the depth chart.
Tight end
George Kittle
This is an easy one. Where things get difficult is the group behind Kittle. Ross Dwelley did okay last year as Kittle’s backup. After that it’s slim pickings with second-year undrafted free agent Daniel Helm as the only other tight end on the roster. San Francisco can survive with this group, but their pursuit of Austin Hooper in free agency says they’ll look to improve the tight ends room at some point this offseason.
Offensive line
LT Joe Staley
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Weston Richburg
RG Daniel Brunskill
RT Mike McGlinchey
The release of Mike Person opens the door for Daniel Brunskill to step into the starting role. Brunskill signed as a tackle, but showed good versatility last year and played well at right guard while Person worked through a neck injury. Ben Garland could also compete for that job, along with newly-signed veteran Tom Compton. It also can’t be ruled out that the 49ers pick up an interior offensive lineman relatively early in the draft.
Defensive line
DE Dee Ford
DT Arik Armstead
DT Solomon Thomas
DE Nick Bosa
The 49ers have managed to maintain a lot of their depth on the defensive line despite losing Buckner to the Colts in a trade. We went with a sub package for the starting lineup since they’ll likely be on the field the most. Thomas, the former No. 3 overall pick, will get plenty of opportunities to rush the passer from the interior, which is where he’s at his best.
The base defense is where the team really misses Buckner. Ford leaves the field with Armstead at end, DJ Jones plays the tackle spot vacated by Buckner, and Thomas is probably replaced by Jullian Taylor, although Kentavius Street and Kevin Givens may also get a shot to start. Either way, there aren’t a ton of reliable options for the 49ers, which makes a defensive tackle a strong possibility early in the draft.
Linebacker
WLB Kwon Alexander
MLB Fred Warner
SLB Dre Greenlaw
It stands to reason the 49ers start the season the same way they did last year with all three players on the field in base and Greenlaw exiting in sub packages. However, Greenlaw played very well in Alexander’s role after Alexander went down with a pectoral injury in Week 9. There’s a world where Greenlaw gets the Will linebacker job and earns a lion’s share of the snaps alongside Warner.
Cornerback
LCB Richard Sherman
RCB Emmanuel Moseley
NCB K’Waun Williams
There’ll be a real battle between Moseley and Ahkello Witherspoon for the starting spot across from Sherman. All three of those players are entering the final year of their contracts, so cornerback going to San Francisco in the draft and competing for a starting job right away isn’t out of the question. For now though, Moseley gets the edge on Witherspoon, and Sherman is coming off another stellar season in the back end of his Hall of Fame career. Barring something drastic, he can be chiseled in as a starter.
Safety
FS Jimmie Ward
SS Jaquiski Tartt
The 49ers pass defense is exceptional when Tartt and Ward are on the field together. Unless one of them gets hurt, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where either is off the field this season. Marcell Harris and Tarvarius Moore did okay filling in for them at points last season, but San Francisco’s defense is at its best with the Ward-Tartt combo roaming the secondary.
Specialists
K Robbie Gould
P Mitch Wishnowsky
LS Kyle Nelson
This shouldn’t change at all going into 2020.
