San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most consistent teams in the NFL. They have registered double-digit victories in four of the last five years, but that's simply not good enough when at team competes in the NFC West.
The 49ers have to face the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks twice a year and they also have to do the same with the Los Angeles Rams, the team that many believe will win the championship this year. Good enough is not good enough for the Niners, and there is significant pressure on head coach Kyle Shanahan and to drive this team to the top in 2026.
The Niners will get some answers in Week 1 when they take on the Rams in the NFL's first venture to Australia. It will be one thing to play the Rams on foreign soil, but it will be quite another to fly back and forth between Los Angeles and Melbourne. The Rams will have 16 games after this season-opening extravaganza and the team could find itself emotionally drained with a full season to go.
It will be up to Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and the Niners' hard-hitting defense to get through the physical, mental and emotional grind of playing in the land down under.
The 53-man roster must show the talent and the depth to give this team a chance to take down its two powerful rivals. Here's our projection as to what that 53-man roster will look like at 6 p.m. ET Sunday.
Quarterbacks (2)
Brock Purdy, Mac Jones
The 49ers need Purdy to stay healthy for a full season and they don't need him to take unnecessary chances that will lead to injury. Jones is an adequate backup and could even fill in for a game or two, but the Niners will lose potency if the backup has to play more than that. Youngster Kurtis Rourke is likely to be a practice squad addition.
Running Backs (4)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) carries the ball as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) defends during the first half in an NFC Divisional Round game at Lumen Field.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) carries the ball as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) defends during the first half in an NFC Divisional Round game at Lumen Field.
Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, Jordan James, Kaelon Black
If the 49ers are going to give the Seahawks and Rams a run for their money this season, they need McCaffrey to be at the top of his game. That means showing he is still one of the top three ground gainers in the league and the best pass catcher among NFL running backs. Juszczyk is almost certainly the best fullback in the league based on his sensational blocking. The Niners could add a fifth running back, but Isaac Guerendo is likely to end up on the PUP list.
Wide Receivers (4)
Mike Evans, De'Zhaun Stribling, Deebo Samuel Sr., Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Christian Kirk, Jacob Cowing
This could have been a position of great strength, but the season-ending injury suffered by Ricky Pearsall is a major blow for the San Francisco offense. Kirk has not been able to show much in training camp because of his calf injury. However, Watkins and Cowing may be able to join the fray for the Niners. Stribling and Samuel should be the starters next to the brilliant Evans as he makes an adjustment Purdy and the San Francisco offense after 12 seasons with the Buccaneers.
Tight Ends (4)
George Kittle, Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell
Kittle's health has been a concern throughout training camp, but it looks like he will be good to go in the season opener against the Rams. Tonges and Farrell have shown they can block, but it would be beneficial if either or both can show improvement as receivers.
Offensive Line (9)
Trent Williams, Jake Brendel, Colton McKivitz, Dominick Puni, Robert Jones, Brett Toth, Drake Nugent, Vederian Lowe, Carver Willis
There have been a number of injuries to this group throughout training camp, so depth is likely to be an issue in the early part of the season. However, the Niners have to count on Williams and McKivitz at the left and right tackle spots, respectively. The 49ers have had to contend with concussions to Toth and Willis. That is clearly a concern.
Defensive Line (10)
Nick Bosa, Osa Odighizuwa, C.J. West, Alfred Collins, Sam Okuayinonu, Romello Height, Keion White, Gracen Halton, James Thompson Jr., Quinton Bell
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Bosa is clearly the star of this group and he needs to get a big assist from Odighizuwa. Those two should form an excellent partnership. The Niners are hoping that Mykel Williams can contribute, but he will begin the year on PUP as he tries to return from a torn ACL. Most of the defensive linemen — including Bosa — have dealt with injuries and that has given Thompson a chance to make a solid impression on the coaching staff.
Linebackers (7)
San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Jaden Dugger, Tatum Bethune, Luke Gifford, Nick Martin, Garret Wallow
This is the position on defense that has the most depth and that means the Niners could decide to upgrade in other areas by trading one of their linebackers. Warner has been a game-changer when he is healthy, and the Niners are hoping that he can bounce back from last year's ankle fracture. Dugger may be the most versatile linebacker in this group as he had 59 tackles, 2 interceptions and 5 passes defensed while playing for the Steelers and Patriots last season.
Cornerbacks (5)
Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Upton Stout, Jack Jones, Ephesians Prysock
The Niners could be vulnerable in this area as they lack playmakers who can make key interceptions and they are not shutdown types, either. Nate Hobbs would give this group a bit more punch, but he has a groin injury that will likely land him on the PUP list.
Safeties (5)
Ji'Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha, Marques Sigle, Siran Neal
Brown is clearly the best player in this group, and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is going to have to figure out if Mustapha starts next to him. If not, Sigle will get the call. Ashtyn Davis will challenge for a position and is a likely practice squad addition.
Special Teams (3)
Eddy Pineiro (K), Corliss Waitman (P), Jon Weeks (LS)
Pineiro is solid as they come after making 28-of-29 FG attempts last season. Jack Bouwmeester made a push for the punting position, but Waitman appeared to hold him off.