The 49ers don't have an official depth chart, and they probably won't have one until at least training camp. But I guarantee the one below is pretty darn close. Based on spring practices - who practiced with which group - as well as the depth in recent seasons, here's how I see the 49ers' depth chart in training camp ... With a few exceptions (like quarterback), if a name appears after the second comma, that player either needs to be a high draft pick or a hell of a special teams player to make the 53-man roster ...
- Quarterback:
- Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, Damon Huard, Nate Davis
- Running back:
- Frank Gore, Glen Coffee, Michael Robinson, Thomas Clayton, Kory Sheets
- Fullback:
- Moran Norris, Zak Keasey, Michael Robinson
- Receiver:
- Josh Morgan, Michael Crabtree, Arnaz Battle, Dominique Zeigler, Maurice Price, Mark Bradford
- Receiver:
- Isaac Bruce, Jason Hill, Brandon Jones, Michael Spurlock, Dobson Collins
- Left tackle:
- Joe Staley, Marvel Smith, Barry Sims, Adam Snyder
- Left guard:
- David Baas, Tony Wragge, Joe Toledo
- Center:
- Eric Heitmann, Cody Wallace
- Right guard:
- Chilo Rachal, Tony Wragge, Cody Wallace, Kyle Howard, Matthew Huners
- Right tackle:
- Marvel Smith, Adam Snyder, Alex Boone, Jacob Bender
- Tight end:
- Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, Bear Pascoe, Joe Jon Finley
- Defense
- Left defensive end:
- Isaac Sopoaga, Kentwan Balmer, Ricky-Jean Francois, Pannel Egboh
- Nose tackle:
- Aubrayo Franklin, Isaac Sopoaga, Kentwan Balmer, Khalif Mitchell
- Right defensive end:
- Justin Smith, Demetric Evans, Ray McDonald
- "Mike" inside linebacker:
- Patrick Willis, Jeff Ulbrich, Justin Roland
- "Ted" inside linebacker:
- Takeo Spikes, Scott McKillop, Mark Washington
- "Will" outside linebacker:
- Parys Haralson, Ahmad Brooks, Diyral Briggs
- "Sam" outside linebacker:
- Manny Lawson, Marques Harris, Jay Moore
- Cornerback:
- Nate Clements, Shawntae Spencer, Marcus Hudson, Carlos Thomas
- Cornerback:
- Dre' Bly, Tarell Brown, (Bly and Brown are tied), Terrail Lambert, Jahi Word-Daniels
- Strong safety:
- Michael Lewis, Mark Roman, Reggie Smith, Lewis Baker
- Free safety:
- Dashon Goldson, Mark Roman, Curtis Taylor
- Kicker:
- Joe Nedney, Alex Romero
- Punter:
- Andy Lee, Alex Romero
- Longsnapper:
- Brian Jennings, Scott McKillop
- Returner:
- Allen Rossum, Michael Spurlock, Brandon Jones
* Note: Some of these rankings are my opinion. For example, I put Arnaz Battle ahead of Dominique Zeigler because I think, when the pads go on, he will a better fit for this offense. But that's certainly a projection.
-- Matt Barrows
