SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers open the 2023 NFL regular season at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10 at Acrisure Stadium.
Coming off a 13-4 season in which they fell one win short of a Super Bowl appearance, the 49ers find themselves once again smack in the middle of their window to win an elusive sixth Lombardi Trophy. The Niners lost a number of key starters and contributors in free agency but return their superstar nucleus with a significant addition in the form of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
Much of this training camp will center on what happens at quarterback, where Brock Purdy is returning from injury as Trey Lance and Sam Darnold compete for roles behind him. Could Lance become a trade target for a quarterback-needy team? It's possible, but the Niners don't intend to just give him away and recent history has repeatedly proven that San Francisco needs multiple capable quarterbacks to get through the season.
Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, Sam Darnold
The Niners carried three quarterbacks last year and still didn't have enough to get through the NFC Championship Game. They're likely to repeat that this year even if a quarterback-needy team makes a substantial offer for Lance. Veteran Brandon Allen is a solid fourth option and would likely get picked up if let go but the Niners probably wouldn't mind having someone with his experience on the practice squad -- or on the roster if Lance is dealt.
RUNNING BACK (5): Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Tyrion Davis-Price, Kyle Juszczyk
San Francisco's track record of finding undrafted running back gems means someone like Ronald Awatt or Khalan Laborn could emerge in camp. But this is a deep and talented group and it will be hard to break through. And though Juszczyk is still the standard for fullbacks, keep an eye on Jack Colletto as an intriguing developmental prospect who could be a long-term replacement.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Danny Gray
The real competition will come for the fifth and a possible sixth spot. Gray has flashed potential but has also been inconsistent and must prove he can produce when needed to stick around. Tay Martin had a good spring and brings some upside that could push Gray or force the Niners to consider keeping a sixth option. And rookie Ronnie Bell figures into the mix, too.
TIGHT END (4): George Kittle, Cameron Latu, Charlie Woerner, Brayden Willis
It will be hard for rookies to make this roster, but this group should offer an exception. Latu was a third-round pick, so he should stick, while Willis impressed in the spring and brings versatility the Niners like. This scenario means veteran Ross Dwelley would be on the outside looking in, but Dwelley has made a career of overcoming stacked odds.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Spencer Burford, Colton McKivitz, Jon Feliciano, Jaylon Moore, Nick Zakelj, Matt Pryor
It's possible the Niners will keep just eight, which would almost certainly result in Moore, Zakelj and Pryor jockeying for two positions. Moore and Pryor are primarily swing tackles, though the Niners have always been intrigued by the possibility of Moore at guard. Zakelj should offer additional depth on the interior but is probably going to have to push Feliciano aside in order to be the first option off the bench and secure a job.
DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Arik Armstead, Drake Jackson, Clelin Ferrell, Kevin Givens, Javon Kinlaw, Kerry Hyder Jr., Austin Bryant, Robert Beal Jr.
The competition at the depth spots will be fierce, with very few guarantees for the projected backups. Kinlaw is entering the final year of his rookie deal and probably battling T.Y. McGill to become the backup nose tackle. Bryant and the rookie Beal could be seen as redundant but the Niners love athletic edge rushers, so we'll give the nod to an extra outside rusher rather than an interior option such as Kalia Davis, who could be placed on the practice squad.
LINEBACKER (5): Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Oren Burks, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Jalen Graham
The top three should be locked in but the battle for the two other spots will be tight. Drafted rookies Graham and Dee Winters, Flannigan-Fowles, Curtis Robinson and Marcelino McCrary-Ball will compete for probably two spots. Flannigan-Fowles has been a valuable special teams contributor and special teams ability will go a long way in deciding which one of the others grabs a spot.
CORNERBACK (5): Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Isaiah Oliver, Samuel Womack III, Ambry Thomas
Womack, Thomas and rookie Darrell Luter Jr. are the likely candidates for the final two spots in this group. Thomas seemed to be the odd man out before a strong spring seemed to breathe life back into his roster chances. If he follows that with a strong camp, he could quickly reassert himself into the mix. Luter is a promising fifth-round pick. While there's no guarantee they'd be able to place him the practice squad they might take that risk, as the Niners would like to have someone with meaningful NFL snaps off the bench in lieu of an untested rookie.
SAFETY (4): Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson Sr., Ji'Ayir Brown, George Odum
Myles Hartsfield and Qwuantrezz Knight could make things interesting, but Brown is viewed as the long-term starter at one backup spot and Odum is the team's best special teamer. It's possible the Niners could keep someone like Hartsfield instead of a fifth corner because he can play multiple positions.
SPECIALISTS (3): Jake Moody (K), Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Taybor Pepper (LS)
There shouldn't be much drama here unless Moody really struggles and Zane Gonzalez excels. Otherwise, this trio is set.