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The San Francisco 49ers released their initial 53-man roster and continue to maneuver to complete the final 53 before they clash with the Los Angeles Rams in Australia next week. The concerns about certain position groups have either been answered or ignored, depending on who you ask. After a full training camp and preseason, four position groups are
a strength for the 49ers, two on each side of the ball.
Here are the deepest position groups for the 49ers:
Offense
Wide Receiver
Yes, Ricky Pearsall will miss the 2026 season, and Mike Evans has dealt with various injuries before taking a single snap, but the receiver group actually feels safe with proven commodities. De’Zhaun Stribling’s preseason and usage are such a boost, as is Deebo Samuel’s return with the veteran presence of Demarcus Robinson. The top three receiver options should be Evans, Stribling, and Samuel, in that order.
Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing fill out the back end of the group, and there is Christian Kirk, who is eligible to return after four weeks. It would have been even better if Pearsall was available, but still this group feels far more solid than expected before training camp began.
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey returns to what can only be assumed as his normal role as the workhorse, but the emergence of both Kaelon Black and Jordan James gives the 49ers confidence in case of an injury to McCaffrey. Even if the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan want to use Black or James as a change of pace, the rookie and second-year running back have looked great in preseason, and who finishes as the RB2 will depend on pass protection.
Now, the 49ers are only carrying four running backs, including Kyle Juszczyk, but Samuel is the fifth running back and gives the team a ton of flexibility in personnel and play calling. The confidence comes from the fact that any of the options behind McCaffrey are capable and bring different things to the offense.
Defense
Cornerback
The 49ers’ top three options in a perfect world would be Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, and Upton Stout. Green is dealing with an injury, and the hope is he will be ready for Week 1, but if he isn’t, veteran Jack Jones has shown plenty in the preseason as a ball hawk. Generally, when a starting cornerback went down, the options weren’t exactly appealing, but even if Jones takes risks as a cornerback, he provides a safety net.
Having three starters and a reliable veteran is a strength for Raheem Morris and the 49ers defense.
Linebackers
Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw lead the room, but the question marks behind the two starters feel answered. Jaden Dugger, Garret Wallow, and Luke Gifford are perfect depth pieces. Nick Martin begins the season on IR, and Tatum Bethune has experience from last season. By no means am I implying that if Warner or Greenlaw miss significant time, the 49ers will be fine, but if one is down with a replacement from depth, the team is in a better spot now than expected heading into training camp.
Which of the four position groups do you feel the most comfortable with?
