The 49ers are determined to have a bounce-back season in 2025, and the roster will look slightly different than it has in recent years.
Quarterback (3)
Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, Kurtis Rourke (R)
San Francisco lands Mac Jones four years after it seemed he was their original target with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, but we won’t know what he can do in Kyle Shanahan’s offense unless Brock Purdy misses time. The surprise here is seventh-rounder Kurtis Rourke, but he’s someone we thought was worth an early Day 2 pick, and the rookie can make the team if healthy for training camp after playing through a torn ACL at Indiana.
Running back (4)
Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, Jordan James (R), Kyle Juszczyk
Keep an eye on Israel Abanikanda here if the Niners keep a fourth running back (fifth including fullback Kyle Juszczyk), as he’s a talented runner who could shine with a full offseason in the Shanahan system. Most likely, though, the team will keep two options behind Christian McCaffrey, and roster locks Isaac Guerendo and rookie Jordan James bring varied skillsets off the bench.
Wide receiver (5)
Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins (R), Terique Owens
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has a chance to be back for the opener and the team will get Demarcus Robinson on the field after he serves a three-game suspension—but at least one receiver spot should be up for grabs to begin 2025. Isaiah Hodgins, Russell Gage Jr., and seventh-round rookie Junior Bergen will all stake their claim, but Terique Owens is an interesting developmental type who might best replace the boundary role Aiyuk fills.
Tight end (3)
George Kittle, Luke Farrell, Ross Dwelley
San Francisco signed Luke Farrell to a surprising three-year, $20.5 million deal this offseason, so he will see plenty of action as a blocker next to George Kittle—perhaps opening things up even more for Kittle in the passing game. After a quiet year in Atlanta, the returning Ross Dwelley will try to beat out Brayden Willis for the No. 3 role.
Offensive tackle (3)
Trent Williams, Colton McKivitz, Andre Dillard
The only new addition made on the offensive line that we have cracking the 53-man roster out of camp is Andre Dillard—and he’s an important piece with Trent Williams entering his age-37 campaign. Former Titans starter Nicholas Petit-Frere was the primary competition for Dillard, but he was released earlier this month.
Interior offensive line (6)
Nick Zakelj, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, Ben Bartch. Spencer Burford, Matt Hennessy
The competition at left guard is what we’ll be watching for San Francisco this summer, but and the team has no shortage of options with Nick Zakelj, Ben Bartch, and 2023 fourth-rounder Spencer Burford—who interestingly saw time at left tackle during OTAs—all candidates to replace Aaron Banks. Perhaps rookie Conner Colby will also factor into the competition, but we have him left off the roster for now.
Defensive tackle (6)
Alfred Collins (R), Jordan Elliott, C.J. West (R), Kevin Givens, Sam Okuayinonu, Kalia Davis
Defensive tackle was looking extremely thin before the 2025 NFL Draft, but San Francisco spent an early second-round pick on Alfred Collins and followed it up with C.J. West in Round 4. Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens should be safe to make it with the rookies, and Sam Okuayinonu will be an intriguing player at six-foot-one, 269 pounds with Robert Saleh back as defensive coordinator; only keeping five defensive tackles is certainly a possibility.
Defensive end (5)
Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams (R), Bryce Huff, Yetur Gross-Matos, Robert Beal Jr.
No. 11 overall pick Mykel Williams is still developing as a rusher and was taken a bit earlier than we would have liked, but the combination of Williams and Bryce Huff should be a great fit paired with Nick Bosa—as the rookie brings toughness and an ability to set the edge, while Huff can provide juice on passing downs. Robert Beal Jr. and Tarron Jackson will likely be competing for the final spot here.
Linebacker (6)
Fred Warner, Dee Winters, Nick Martin (R), Luke Gifford, Tatum Bethune, Chazz Surratt
Keeping six linebackers might be too many resources at a position where the team has a perennial All-Pro in Fred Warner leading the way—but Dre Greenlaw is gone, and the Niners know how important it is to have strong linebacker play. Incumbent starter Dee Winters is the early favorite next to Warner, but rookie Nick Martin was taken in the third round, Luke Gifford flashed as a starter last year in Tennessee, and Chazz Surratt comes over with Robert Saleh from the Jets.
Cornerback (6)
Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Tre Brown, Upton Stout (R), Darrell Luter Jr., Chase Lucas
Second-year cornerback Renardo Green is someone we expect to become a household name this season, and San Francisco won’t lack for confidence with him and Deommodore Lenoir—both stickier cover guys with a different style than usual for Robert Saleh’s scheme. A third-round pick used on slot cornerback Upton Stout might mean more of Lenoir on the perimeter, but Darrell Luter Jr. still makes our projection as the big-bodied option for the outside, and Chase Lucas will try to beat out Tre Avery, Dallis Flowers, and others.
Safety (4)
Ji’Ayir Brown, Richie Grant, Jason Pinnock, Marques Sigle (R)
The 49ers will have perhaps the best young safety duo in the NFL when Malik Mustapha (knee) is healthy, so they’ll need to piece things together with Ji’Ayir Brown until Mustapha is back. Siran Neal could also factor in at cornerback, but we have fellow 2025 signings Richie Grant and Jason Pinnock making it with fifth-rounder Marques Sigle.
Special teams (3)
Jake Moody, Thomas Morstead, Jon Weeks
There is a chance San Francisco has all new options on special teams with Thomas Morstead signed as the punter and Jon Weeks brought in as the long snapper—but perhaps the changes at holder and snapper will give former third-rounder Jake Moody one more chance. He’ll need to win a competition versus Greg Joseph, and the Niners should go with the more consistent option this summer.
Players not available for Week 1 (3)
WR Brandon Aiyuk, WR Demarcus Robinson, S Malik Mustapha