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.