There may not be a bigger key to the San Francisco 49ers returning to Super Bowl contention this season than their defense bouncing back after a tough year in 2026.
We went through the roster and devised our own depth chart that strays a little bit from the unofficial depth chart the team released ahead of its Week 1 showdown vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Australia. Here's how we think the 49ers' depth chart will look entering the season opener:
Defensive tackle
- Osa Odighizuwa
- Alfred Collins
- CJ West
- Gracen Halton
- James Thompson Jr.
This list will change a lot during the regular season depending on how the development alongside and behind Odighizuwa goes. Collins will probably get the first crack at the starting spot next to Odighizuwa, but any of the other trio in the rotation could take that spot if Collins doesn't make major strides
in his second season.
Defensive end
- Nick Bosa
- Keion White
- Romello Height
- Khalid Kareem
This is a thin group. It wouldn't be a surprise to see a veteran like Ogbo Okoronkwo elevated for the regular season opener. Bosa is banged up. Height is a rookie, and Kareem has one sack in his career. The 49ers badly need experience and production at this spot.
Middle linebacker
- Fred Warner
- Tatum Bethune
Bethune was one of the backup MLBs last season so it stands to reason he'll be back in that mix again this year if Warner misses time.
Weakside linebacker
- Dre Greenlaw
- Garret Wallow
- Jaden Dugger
The 49ers may hope to eventually have Dugger in this spot behind Greenlaw, but for now Wallow's NFL experience gets him the nod. Given Greenlaw's injury history the 49ers may have to make a decision on which direction to go for his replacement at some point this season.
Strongside linebacker
- Jaden Dugger
- Luke Gifford
The 49ers are listing Gifford as the starter here, but we think they'll give Dugger the first crack at the new-look third LB role in defensive coordinator Raheem Morris's defense. His athleticism should stand out above Gifford's, particularly against multiple tight end sets.
Outside cornerback
- Deommodore Lenoir
- Renardo Green
- Jack Jones
- Ephesians Prysock
This group is pretty strong, but there's a clear-cut top two with Lenoir and Green. Jones gets the nod as the third outside CB ahead of the rookie Prysock, although Prysock's physical traits are promising.
Nickel cornerback
- Upton Stout
- Deommodore Lenoir
There's no direct replacement for Stout, so it'll be Lenoir kicking inside with one of the backup outside CBs sliding into Lenoir's spot if Stout is unavailable.
Free safety
- Ji'Ayir Brown
- Marques Sigle
- Siran Neal
Brown took hold of this starting job at the top of training camp and never relinquished it. Sigle's athleticism probably makes him the No. 2 option here with Neal as the third choice.
Strong safety
- Marques Sigle
- Malik Mustapha
This duo was supposed to battle it out in camp, but Mustapha suffered a hamstring injury that cost him virtually all of the preseason. Sigle should get the starting nod, but don't be surprised if there's a switch at some point early in the year.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers depth chart: Projected starting defense for Week 1 vs. Rams
