The San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday released an unofficial depth chart for Week 1 of the 2026 season that featured intriguing choices for listed starters at six positions.
It’s important to note that the unofficial depth chart is compiled by the communications staff. That’s why it’s considered unofficial. There’s no consulting with the coaching staff and the 49ers are by no means bound to what the communications staff lists out in the game release no matter how wonderful that communications staff might be.
All of that being said, let’s take the depth chart at face value and dig in to some of the choices:
De’Zhaun Stribling not a ‘starter’
The 49ers’ second-round pick who made waves in the preseason isn’t listed as a starter in the 21 personnel grouping that San Francisco keeps on its depth chart. That’s the two running back and one tight end package where only two wide receivers are on the field. Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel are the listed starters in the 21 personnel group. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Samuel got the early WR2 snaps while Stribling gets his first NFL action under his belt, but expect him to be active early and often in two-plus WR packages in Week 1.
Kaelon Black is backup running back
This seems like the correct choice. Black got a little more camp in than Jordan James, although both missed significant time with injuries. When Black returned from an adductor injury in a joint practice vs. the Los Angeles Chargers his explosiveness was a frequent talking point from reporters on site. He showed that explosiveness again in his two preseason contests. James looked good against the Las Vegas Raiders in the preseason finale and could be in the mix, but it should be Black with the first RB2 snaps.
Connor Colby is the starting left guard?
There may not be a less likely outcome on the unofficial depth chart than this one. Colby got the first crack at the starting left guard job and never got back in the mix once Robert Jones and then rookie Carver Willis took over. There’s a chance Colby gets in as a starter at some point. It seems nigh unlikely it’ll be in Week 1 with Willis in the mix and newly-acquired veteran Jarrett Patterson also vying for the starting job.
Rookie LB Jaden Dugger not among the starters
It’s hard to figure out exactly how the 49ers will deploy their LBs. Their depth chart has their traditional 4-3 base defense with four down linemen and three linebackers. Fred Warner is the Mike LB with Dre Greenlaw slotted in at the Will. At the Sam LB, which is traditionally only on the field in run situations, the 49ers are still listing veteran Luke Gifford as the starter there ahead of Dugger who got a ton of run at the WLB spot in the preseason. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Dugger is the third LB in Week 1 playing a different role than we’ve seen from that third LB spot traditionally in 49ers defenses under Kyle Shanahan.
Malik Mustapha starting despite injury
All signs seem to be pointing to second-year safety Marques Sigle lining up alongside Ji’Ayir Brown as a starter in Week 1. Mustapha missed virtually all of training camp with a hamstring injury, but he was back in practice for the 49ers’ final three sessions before leaving to Australia. He was the primary starter last year so there’s a chance he regains that spot after starting out camp in a battle with Sigle. If Sigle wasn’t able to wrestle the job away from Mustapha it may spell the end of his chances to ever be a starter in San Francisco.
There’s no long snapper
Because long snapper Jon Weeks is on the practice squad for now he isn’t officially listed on the depth chart. To get up on game day the 49ers will have to make him one of their practice squad elevations. It’s smart roster gymnastics, but it’s still jarring to see a position completely empty entering Week 1.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 6 takeaways from somewhat strange 49ers unofficial depth chart
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
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