As promised, here's the full look at my predicted depth chart. However, a few notes before I begin:
— It's pretty clear that the five offensive line starters are set in stone. However, the depth chart behind them could be much different. Bill Bedenbaugh has been moving players around a lot the last few weeks.
— This depth chart includes no "OR" at any position. While last year's depth chart was pretty conclusive, there were a few "OR's" at different positions, indicating co-starters or co-backups. There will be at least a few ORs when the depth chart is released on Monday or Tuesday.
— Also, starters may not mean as much this season. I expect the coaching staff will rotate a lot of players, particularly early in the season. Wide receiver is the best example.
— While I think the depth chart at several positions, particularly on defense, will change significantly throughout the season, this is just for Week 1. We know this coaching staff values experience above almost anything. That gives the early advantage to players like Isaiah Coe, Jordan Kelley, Ethan Downs and Reggie Grimes. If there's any position group I expect to have the most fluctuation through the season, it's the defensive line.
— I am fully preparing to be wrong in several areas. This is just an educated guess. But I'm ready for the hate.
Here it is:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Dillon Gabriel
Jackson Arnold
Davis Beville
General Booty
Running back
Jovantae Barnes
Gavin Sawchuk
Marcus Major
Kalib Hicks
Wide receiver
Jalil Farooq
Jayden Gibson
Jaquaize Pettaway
SLOT
Drake Stoops
Gavin Freeman
Brenen Thompson
Wide receiver
Nic Anderson
Andrel Anthony
LV Bunkley-Shelton
DJ Graham
Tight end
Austin Stogner
Blake Smith
Jason Llewelyn
Josh Fanuiel
Left tackle
Walter Rouse
Cayden Green
Jacob Sexton
Left guard
Savion Byrd
Caleb Shaffer
Center
Andrew Raym
Joshua Bates
Nate Anderson
Right guard
McKade Mettauer
Jake Taylor
Right tackle
Tyler Guyton
Aaryn Parks
DEFENSE
Defensive end
Rondell Bothroyd
Reggie Grimes
R Mason Thomas
Defensive tackle
Isaiah Coe
Jonah Laulu
Gracen Halton
Nose tackle
Jordan Kelley
Da’Jon Terry
Kelvin Gilliam
Defensive end
Ethan Downs
Trace Ford
Adepoju Adebowore
WLB
Danny Stutsman
Kip Lewis
Shane Whitter
MLB
Jaren Kanak
Kobie McKinzie
Konnor Near
Cheetah
Dasan McCullough
Justin Harrington
Cornerback
Gentry Williams
Kani Walker
Jasiah Wagoner
Safety
Reggie Pearson
Peyton Bowen
Robert Spears-Jennings
Safety
Billy Bowman
Key Lawrence
Cornerback
Woodi Washington
Kendal Dolby
Makari Vickers
— It's pretty clear that the five offensive line starters are set in stone. However, the depth chart behind them could be much different. Bill Bedenbaugh has been moving players around a lot the last few weeks.
— This depth chart includes no "OR" at any position. While last year's depth chart was pretty conclusive, there were a few "OR's" at different positions, indicating co-starters or co-backups. There will be at least a few ORs when the depth chart is released on Monday or Tuesday.
— Also, starters may not mean as much this season. I expect the coaching staff will rotate a lot of players, particularly early in the season. Wide receiver is the best example.
— While I think the depth chart at several positions, particularly on defense, will change significantly throughout the season, this is just for Week 1. We know this coaching staff values experience above almost anything. That gives the early advantage to players like Isaiah Coe, Jordan Kelley, Ethan Downs and Reggie Grimes. If there's any position group I expect to have the most fluctuation through the season, it's the defensive line.
— I am fully preparing to be wrong in several areas. This is just an educated guess. But I'm ready for the hate.
Here it is:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Dillon Gabriel
Jackson Arnold
Davis Beville
General Booty
Running back
Jovantae Barnes
Gavin Sawchuk
Marcus Major
Kalib Hicks
Wide receiver
Jalil Farooq
Jayden Gibson
Jaquaize Pettaway
SLOT
Drake Stoops
Gavin Freeman
Brenen Thompson
Wide receiver
Nic Anderson
Andrel Anthony
LV Bunkley-Shelton
DJ Graham
Tight end
Austin Stogner
Blake Smith
Jason Llewelyn
Josh Fanuiel
Left tackle
Walter Rouse
Cayden Green
Jacob Sexton
Left guard
Savion Byrd
Caleb Shaffer
Center
Andrew Raym
Joshua Bates
Nate Anderson
Right guard
McKade Mettauer
Jake Taylor
Right tackle
Tyler Guyton
Aaryn Parks
DEFENSE
Defensive end
Rondell Bothroyd
Reggie Grimes
R Mason Thomas
Defensive tackle
Isaiah Coe
Jonah Laulu
Gracen Halton
Nose tackle
Jordan Kelley
Da’Jon Terry
Kelvin Gilliam
Defensive end
Ethan Downs
Trace Ford
Adepoju Adebowore
WLB
Danny Stutsman
Kip Lewis
Shane Whitter
MLB
Jaren Kanak
Kobie McKinzie
Konnor Near
Cheetah
Dasan McCullough
Justin Harrington
Cornerback
Gentry Williams
Kani Walker
Jasiah Wagoner
Safety
Reggie Pearson
Peyton Bowen
Robert Spears-Jennings
Safety
Billy Bowman
Key Lawrence
Cornerback
Woodi Washington
Kendal Dolby
Makari Vickers