The San Francisco 49ers still have arguably the most talented roster in the NFL.
But it has changed a lot following the first wave of free agency, with one area of the team substantially altered from the Niners' Super Bowl 58 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Now the dust has settled on the opening week of free agency, let's take a look at where the 49ers' roster stands and what could change from here.
Note: Asterisks (*) represent a 2024 free agent addition and does not include a re-signed player. Offense's base personnel is projected as 11-personnel (3 WRs, 1 TE) and defense's base personnel is projected as 4-3 base defense (four down lineman, three linebackers).
Quarterback (2)
Presumed starter(s): Brock Purdy
Backup(s): Brandon Allen
How we got here: Purdy backed up his spectacular emergence in 2022 with a first season as starter that saw him break the franchise record for passing yards and lead the 49ers within a stop of winning the Super Bowl. He's the starter for now and for many years to come. Sam Darnold's departure has left a vacancy in the backup ranks, with Allen likely to compete with a rookie after re-signing on a one-year deal.
Running back (4)
Presumed starter(s): Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
Backup(s): Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason
How we got here: It's the CMC show until we receive any evidence to the contrary. The Offensive Player of the Year has held up remarkably well despite an immense workload. Mitchell and Mason get limited reps but, with former third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price gone, the 49ers will likely add a rookie to the mix either during or after the draft.
Wide receiver (7)
Presumed starter(s): Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings
Backup(s): Danny Gray, Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell, Tay Martin
How we got here: The main question at receiver surrounds if and when the 49ers will come to terms on an extension with Aiyuk, their leading receiver for a second successive year. San Francisco will also look to tie down Jennings long-term after placing a second-round tender on the man who was almost Super Bowl MVP. Drafting another separator or a true speed threat could be an avenue the 49ers go down in a deep receiver draft.
Tight end (4)
Presumed starter(s): George Kittle
Backup(s): Cameron Latu, Brayden Willis, Jake Tonges
How we got here: The 49ers lost backup Charlie Woerner to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, while Ross Dwelley remains unsigned. Latu did not play a game as a third-round rookie owing to a knee injury while seventh-rounder Willis only played sparingly. Don't be surprised if the 49ers return to the draft again at tight end to get Kittle, who restructured his deal, some help.
Offensive Line (12)
Presumed starter(s): Trent Williams (LT), Aaron Banks (LG), Jake Brendel (C), Jon Feliciano (RG), Colton McKivitz (RT)
Backup(s): Jaylon Moore, Nick Zakelj, Corey Luciano, Spencer Burford, Isaac Alarcon, Ben Bartch, Sebastian Gutierrez
How we got here: The 49ers re-signed veteran Feliciano after he earned the starting job late last season only to suffer a costly injury in the Super Bowl. Bartch, who can play guard and center, is also back for another year. However, after the struggles of Burford and McKivitz in the Super Bowl, it would be a bizarre move to simply run it back on the right side of the O-Line, with tackle viewed as an obvious first-round pick by many.
Defensive Line (17)
Presumed starter(s): Nick Bosa (EDGE), Maliek Collins (DT)*, Javon Hargrave (DT), Leonard Floyd (EDGE)*
Backup(s): Yetur Gross-Matos*, Kevin Givens, Jordan Elliott*, Drake Jackson, Robert Beal Jr, Kalia Davis, T.Y. McGill, Austin Bryant, Alex Barrett, Spencer Waege, Earnest Brown IV, Sam Okuayinonu, Raymond Johnson III
How we got here: A huge overhaul of the position group that is consistently an offseason focus for the Niners. Arik Armstead was released after refusing a paycut, leaving a hole on the defensive interior that was filled by a trade for Collins. Jordan Elliott came across from the Cleveland Browns to replace the departed Javon Kinlaw. The edge group also has a very different look, the Niners banking on the consistent production and experience of Floyd and the untapped upside of Gross-Matos while allowing Clelin Ferrell, Chase Young and Randy Gregory to walk. It would be a surprise if the 49ers don't draft at least one more player at both edge and defensive tackle.
Linebacker (8)
Presumed starter(s): Dre Greenlaw (WILL), Fred Warner (MLB), DeVondre Campbell (SAM)*
Backup(s): Dee Winters, Jalen Graham, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Curtis Robinson, Ezekiel Turner*
How we got here: The big mystery is whether Greenlaw will be healthy Week 1 after tearing his Achilles in bizarre circumstances in the Super Bowl. Campbell is the insurance, the 49ers signing him after Eric Kendricks' U-turn. Turner comes from the Arizona Cardinals to bolster the special teams.
Cornerback (8)
Presumed starter(s): Charvarius Ward (CB), Isaac Yiadom (CB)*, Deommodore Lenoir (NB)
Backup(s): Ambry Thomas, Darrell Luter Jr, Samuel Womack III, Chase Lucas*, Kemon Hall
How we got here: Yiadom looks an extremely astute signing on a one-year deal after his career year with the New Orleans Saints. It's tough to imagine Thomas starting over him after the former third-round pick's postseason struggles. Lucas is a key special teams signing, but there's probably another move here in the draft, potentially even in the first round.
Safety (5)
Presumed starter(s): Ji'Ayir Brown (FS), Talanoa Hufanga (SS)
Backup(s): George Odum, Erik Harris, Tayler Hawkins
How we got here: The 49ers extended Odum to lock down a core special teamer but San Francisco is reportedly looking to add at safety with Hufanga coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 11 last season. Veteran Tashaun Gipson remains unsigned with his plans still yet to be confirmed. Gipson flirted with retirement last offseason.
Specialists (3)
Presumed starter(s): Jake Moody (K), Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Taybor Pepper (LS)
Returners: Ronnie Bell (PR), Jordan Mason (KR)
How we got here: Moody silenced his doubters with an outstanding display in the Super Bowl from which the shine was removed by a blocked extra point that allowed the Chiefs to force overtime. Still, the 49ers are probably happy with their return on the 97th pick so far. The problem is at returner, where Ray-Ray McCloud's exit in free agency has left a huge hole.
Where do things go from here?
Rostered players: 70
Spots available: 20
It is hard to look beyond the offensive line as the focus turns toward the draft. The 49ers' weakness on the right side was a massive contributor to their Super Bowl downfall and not addressing it would raise eyebrows.
Other than that, the 49ers' work in free agency has set them up to go in any direction in the draft. An edge rusher who can step in after Floyd's two-year contract is up would be in keeping with the 49ers' philosophy of focusing capital on the trenches, but it would also behoove them to find a returner whose speed can also be used in the passing game. With 10 picks at their disposal, the 49ers have ample resources with which to refresh a top-heavy and expensive roster.
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