San Francisco’s 22-19 preseason win over Las Vegas sparked a refreshed 53-man roster projection, with depth and rookies driving the biggest shifts rather than injuries. The Niners are prioritizing versatility and pass-blocking depth across the front, while rookie standouts push veterans for snaps at multiple spots.

At quarterback, Purdy remains the clear starter, with Carter Bradley as the lone real challenger behind him; keeping a third QB isn’t favored. In the backfield, McCaffrey anchors the group alongside Guerendo and James, with Kiner’s ankle issue complicating his roster chances and the team weighing a possible waivers-and-practice-squad route for him.

The receiving corps stays six deep, with Gage potentially the odd man out if they keep five, especially if Brandon Aiyuk returns later than expected from the PUP list. At tight end, Tonges secured Dwelley’s spot to maintain two-way usage, while Willis has flashed enough to stick. The offensive line adds interior flexibility with Colby Colby stepping into the ninth spot as Puni’s knee injury lingers, underscoring depth concerns at tackle.

On defense, the 49ers lean into inside punch with front-line talent, but a tightened rotation at end and inside DL remains a concern. Depth at linebacker is balanced, with a six-man group a hypothetical possibility. In the secondary, BYU rookie Jakob Robinson and a handful of versatile vets provide insurance at corner and safety, while Moody’s display solidified his hold on the kicking job. Special teams and the kick return game appear stable, cementing a core for Week 1 while other spots stay hotly contested.

Overall, the emphasis is on securing a functional depth chart that can adapt to a busy season, with rookies or versatile reserves poised to surprise in late-summer action and potentially earn a slice of the 53-man roster that could influence fantasy depth charts and weekly lineup decisions.

Seattle pivots from Geno Smith’s era to a retooled offense built around Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in elevated but injury-tinged roles. The shift centers on a potentially bigger target share for Smith-Njigba while Darnold’s past fantasy efficiency argues for early-round consideration in 2025, especially in PPR formats. SportsLine’s 10,000-simulation ranking places value on sleepers like Brian Robinson Jr. in Washington and Ashton Jeanty in Las Vegas; Tucker Kraft is flagged as a bust in Green Bay. The model also nods to CJ Stroud’s sophomore year caution, while highlighting sleeper bets and breakouts to trim ADPs in both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

Darnold’s arrival creates a nuanced trio of pass targets as Kupp’s load carries injury and age risk, while the 23-year-old Smith-Njigba is poised for a larger slice of the offense. The article underscores that, even with veteran presence in Kupp, Smith-Njigba’s prior WR9 finish points to an optimize-able role in a more pass-friendly Seattle scheme. It also leans on proven model credibility, citing past calls on players like A.J. Brown and Jonathan Taylor and projecting 2025 sleepers, breakouts and busts with a data-driven lens.

NFL fantasy players are zeroing in on sleepers, breakouts and busts for 2025. SportsLine’s model ran 10,000 simulations to craft updated rankings for PPR and non-PPR formats, spotlighting sleepers like DK Metcalf with a fresh, high-volume role in Pittsburgh and a pass-happy QB connection, while flagging potential busts such as Tucker Kraft as target fade options. Ashton Jeanty stands out as a rookie breakout candidate behind a run-first Raiders scheme, and seasoned vets like Ladd McConkey provided last-season sleeper proof with a 82-1,149-7 line that anchors the narrative. The piece leans into a bold, late-round WR shocker that could outpace bigger-name incumbents like Brown or Hill. For fantasy managers, this is a blueprint to balance upside and risk in the 2025 draft.

It also underscores the model’s track record, noting past calls like Stroud’s sophomore wobble and historical sleepers such as Brown, Taylor, Henry, McCaffrey and Adams. The teaser closes by directing readers to SportsLine cheat sheets to see the full 2025 rankings and sleepers, breakouts and busts across every position, all grounded in robust simulations and historical accuracy.

San Francisco’s preseason opener offered a clear snapshot of the 49ers’ rookie class in flux. Thirteen of the original seventeen rookies played, delivering a spectrum of outcomes from incomplete to standout. Mykel Williams was inactive with a knee issue, leaving edge-rep opportunities thin early. Alfred Collins and Nick Martin struggled to impact the game, while Upton Stout and Jordan Watkins flashed the most upside. Watkins snagged three of six targets for 56 yards, highlighted by a 50-yard grab that underscored potential early playing time. Contenders like Connor Colby flashed steady progress in pass protection, Junior Bergen provided a spark on special teams, and Marques Sigle looked the part of a developing starter in the secondary depth chart. The takeaway for fantasy: Watkins could press for early involvement, Kiner’s vision and stroke give him a roster case, and the 49ers’ late-rounds and undrafted group showed enough in flashes to keep a few on the radar for practice squads or later-season roles.

Other notes: Jordan James’ injury-impacted return suggests the depth at running back will be tested, while Kurtis Rourke remains on the non-football injury list, delaying a potential rookie quarterback path. CJ West’s nickel corner role remains a focal point as the defense builds interior pressure and coverage flexibility. In total, SF’s rookie performance laid a foundation of intrigue—enough to keep fantasy managers watching the next exhibition for real clues on playing time, role definition, and depth-chart movement as Week 1 approaches.

Preseason Week 1 left the 49ers with more questions than certainties as a 30-9 loss to Denver exposed offensive inconsistencies and roster battles. Mac Jones settled into the pocket, carving out a rhythm early, including a sequence that flashed a potential chemistry with Demarcus Robinson on SF’s first snap and a deep drop-in-stride connection to Jordan Watkins on a 50-yard gain that jump-started field-position talk. Patrick Taylor’s early touchdown showed vision and patience, while the defense, led by Chase Lucas and a swarm of reserves, forced key moments like a safety and multiple breakups that raised hopes for depth.

In the second half, the 49ers’ depth chart battles heated up. Dallis Flowers and Darrell Luter Jr. peppered Broncos drives with stops and a pass breakup, and Jake Tonges continued to push Brayden Willis in a tight roster race at receiver/TE. Undrafted Corey Kiner flashed in limited work, while Jake Tonges and Junior Bergen offered field-position and special-teams intrigue. The offense stalled, Ty Mordecai’s bootleg miscues and interceptions lingered, but the overall tone was clear: depth will shape the final cuts, and Jones’ stride toward a Week 1 role remains a storyline to watch as SF tidies up the sloppy moments.

The notes suggest the 49ers must clean up protection, quarterback decision-making, and edge-pressure adaptability, yet there are bright spots in Watkins’ burst, Robinson’s early continuity, and Lucas’s versatility. With underclassmen stepping up, SF hopes the preseason ailerons align with regular-season needs, balancing veteran glue with young playmakers as the roster tightens toward September. Denver’s own drive-ability showed some spark, but miscues and coverage lapses gave SF chances that slipped away in the box score. The next tune-up should sharpen the timing, and the depth chart battles will define who fills critical roles when the games count.