Pre-Draft Projected Starters: 2023 San Francisco 49ers

While the 2023 NFL draft has not happened yet, the 49ers projected starters for 2023 can still be discussed. The team has lost a couple of the 2022 starters and does not have a set replacement yet. The 49ers are also uncertain about the injury status of certain players by the time the season starts. Here is a look at the 2023 49ers projected starters before the draft.

2023 49ers Projected Starters:

Quarterback:

Brock Purdy

The first of the 49ers projected starters is Brock Purdy at quarterback. The starting spot is Purdy’s to lose, despite being injured. In the offseason, it will be Trey Lance and Sam Darnold to get the reps, but assuming Purdy is healthy in week one, he will be the starter. When it comes to the quarterback’s injury, it is important to note that approximately three months following the surgery that he had at the beginning of march, he will be throwing again.

There will be more clarity by the time the three-month mark hits. Purdy will not be starting the season without having thrown the ball in six months. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan did say this offseason can be Lance’s chance to win the job back. While Purdy is one of the 49ers projected starters, there will be some healthy competition between Lance and Darnold in case there is any setback with Pudy’s injury.

Offensive Line:

LT, Trent Williams; RG, Aaron Banks; C, Jake Brendel; LG, Spencer Burford; RT, Colton McKivitz

While the majority of the offensive line will remain from 2022, the right tackle position is the biggest question for the 49ers projected starters. Jake Brendel recently signed an extension with the team, and the center position is his to lose.

As for the right tackle, as of now, McKivitz is the projected starter. McKivitz spent three years on the team as second on the depth chart. With Mike McGlinchey now on the Denver Broncos, McKivitz will get his shot to be the starter. The team recently signed free agent Matt Pryor who can be competition for that empty right tackle position.

Running Back/Fullback:

RB, Christian McCaffrey; FB, Kyle Juszczyk

This may come as no surprise; the 49ers projected starter at running back is Christian McCaffrey. Once the team traded for the running back, all they did was win. Right behind him will be Elijah Mitchell, with the third player being either Ty Davis-Price or Jordan Mason. McCaffrey had six rushing touchdowns and four receiving touchdowns in the 2022 regular season with the 49ers.

While many teams may not need to highlight their fullback within their starters, Kyle Juszczyk still needs to be named here as well. He will be entering his seventh year with the team and will play a fundamental role.

Tight End:

George Kittle

Entering his seventh season in the league, George Kittle is the projected starter at tight end. Hopefully, in 2023, the 49ers will be able to keep a solid offensive line to prevent Kittle from constantly having to block and playing more as a receiver. Later in the 2022 season, including the post-season,

Kittle was able to stop blocking the pass rush and get open. His presence made a big impact on the offense when he was not blocking the pass rush. Kittle is also valuable when run-blocking, which is important on a run-first offense. Behind Kittle on the depth chart will be Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley. Dwelley recently re-signed with the team and has the chance to push to be third on the depth chart again.

Wide Reciever:

Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings

The three 49ers projected starters at the wide receiver position are Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings. The three receivers have been on the team together for a couple of years and all have been important in different ways. Samuel is the most versatile, being able to run the ball as well. Aiyuk may be the best route runner on the team, almost always able to break away from defenders.

Despite being the third receiver, Jennings began to go by the name “Third And Jauan” as he is a go-to third-down player who the team relies on to get a first down. These three will continue to be the top wide receivers at the time in 2023.

Defensive Line:

DE, Nick Bosa, DT, Arik Armstead, DT, Javon Hargrave, DE, Drake Jackson

The San Francisco 49ers projected starters on the defensive line are pretty set. Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead will be returning, but the team made a big off-season signing with Javon Hargrave. The team desperately needed a solid defensive tackle and hoped Hargrave could be that guy. The position with the most questions is on the other side of Nick Bosa.

As of now, one of the 49ers projected starters on the other end of Bosa will be second-year defensive end Drake Jackson will most likely get the start. In the 2022 season, Charles Omenihu was the starter, but he has recently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Jackson played in multiple games during 2022 until turning into a healthy scratch. Hopefully, that will make Jackson work harder to have a strong 2023 season.

Linebacker:

Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

The 49ers made a wise decision to extend linebacker Dre Greenlaw within the first month of the 2022 season. San Francisco ended up losing their third linebacker, Azeez Al-Shaair, in free agency. It will be a competition for who takes his position, but as of now, Al-Shaair’s former position will go to Flannigan-Fowles.

Other players, such as Oren Burks and Marcelino McCrary-Ball, will have a chance to compete for that spot as well. While Greenlaw and Warner being the 49ers projected starters for linebackers, we’re clear that the third spot is pretty open.

Safety:

Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson sr.

The two 49ers projected starters for safety are Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson. Hufanga made a big jump from his rookie year to his second season in the league. Gipson came in for an injured Jimmie Ward and led the team in interceptions in 2022. A big question heading into the season was if the team would keep Gipson or Ward, and the decision was made the day before legal tampering when the team re-signed Gipson to a deal.

Cornerback:

Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir

With the loss of Emmanuel Moseley, the 49ers projected starters at cornerback are Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir. Lenoir came in when Moseley tore his ACL and continuously progressed as the season went on. Lenoir has rightfully earned his position and hopefully can continue to grow. As for Ward, he maintained the starting position throughout 2022, and that will continue through the 2023 season.