When you look back at that 2023 season, it’s easy to just see the highlights of Brock Purdy slinging it or Christian McCaffrey making defenders look like they were wearing skates. But honestly, the 49ers depth chart 2023 was a much more fragile puzzle than it appeared on the surface. People tend to think the Niners were this unstoppable juggernaut from week one to the Super Bowl, but if you dig into how that roster was actually built, you’ll see it was a masterclass in "top-heavy" engineering.
The 2023 squad was basically a collection of Avengers at the top—Warner, Bosa, Trent Williams, CMC—and a whole lot of "who is that?" further down the list.
The Quarterback Room No One Saw Coming
Remember the panic during the 2023 offseason? Everyone was arguing about Trey Lance vs. Sam Darnold. It’s funny now, but back then, we weren’t even 100% sure Brock Purdy’s elbow was going to hold up.
Purdy was the undisputed QB1. No question. He ended up throwing for 4,280 yards, which is actually a franchise record. Think about that for a second. In a franchise that had Montana and Young, it was the "last pick in the draft" kid who took the single-season yardage crown in 2023.
Behind him, the depth chart was a bit of a revolving door. Sam Darnold won the backup job, which led to the 49ers eventually trading Trey Lance to Dallas. It was a cold move. Basically, Kyle Shanahan looked at the tape and decided he’d rather have the veteran "reclamation project" than the high-draft-pick developmental guy. Brandon Allen sat at QB3, mostly just there for insurance and vibes.
Why the 49ers depth chart 2023 Relied on CMC
If Brock Purdy was the engine, Christian McCaffrey was the fuel.
His spot at the top of the 49ers depth chart 2023 for running backs was the most secure position in the entire NFL. He wasn't just a runner; he was the primary focus of every defensive coordinator the Niners faced.
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- Starter: Christian McCaffrey
- Primary Backup: Elijah Mitchell
- The "Bruiser": Jordan Mason
- Special Teams/Depth: Tyrion Davis-Price
The weird thing about the 2023 backup situation was how little Elijah Mitchell actually played. He was supposed to be the "1B" to McCaffrey's "1A," but injuries just kept nagging him. This forced Jordan Mason—who most fans loved because he ran like he was trying to break through a brick wall—into more meaningful snaps.
The Offensive Line: A One-Man Show?
Let’s be real. The offensive line on the 49ers depth chart 2023 was basically Trent Williams and four other guys trying their best.
Trent Williams is arguably the best left tackle to ever play the game. When he was on the field, the left side of the line was a literal fortress. But when he went down? Everything kinda fell apart.
The rest of the unit looked like this:
- Left Guard: Aaron Banks (Solid, but unsung)
- Center: Jake Brendel (The guy who had to make all the calls)
- Right Guard: Spencer Burford and Jon Feliciano (They basically split this role)
- Right Tackle: Colton McKivitz
McKivitz had the impossible job of following Mike McGlinchey. Fans were brutal to him early on. He wasn't perfect, but for a guy making relatively low money compared to the superstars on the team, he held his own. The real "secret sauce" was Jon Feliciano. He didn't start the season as the primary guy, but by the end, his veteran presence at guard was probably the only thing keeping the middle of that pocket clean for Purdy.
Weapons of Mass Production
Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. It’s a bit of a "pick your poison" situation.
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In 2023, Aiyuk officially became "The Guy." He was the route runner, the deep threat, and the most consistent target. Deebo, on the other hand, was the "Wide Back." You’d see him lined up in the slot, then in the backfield, then out wide.
The depth behind them was thinner than people realize. Jauan Jennings was the "Third and Jauan" specialist. If it was 3rd and 7, you knew the ball was going to #15 and he was going to take a hit and somehow hang on. Behind those three, you had rookie Ronnie Bell and veteran Ray-Ray McCloud. McCloud was more of a return specialist, but he had to step in for some meaningful snaps when Deebo's shoulder acted up mid-season.
And we can't talk about weapons without George Kittle. He’s the heart of the team. In 2023, he reminded everyone why he’s a future Hall of Famer, putting up over 1,000 yards while still blocking like an extra offensive tackle. Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley were the guys behind him, but they were almost exclusively used for blocking or special teams.
The Defense: New Boss, Same Intensity
2023 was the year of Steve Wilks. He took over for DeMeco Ryans, and honestly, the transition was a bit bumpy at first.
The 49ers depth chart 2023 on defense was built around the defensive line. That’s the Niners' identity. They brought in Javon Hargrave on a massive deal to pair with Arik Armstead. On paper, that was the scariest interior in the league.
- Edge: Nick Bosa (The reigning DPOY at the time)
- Interior: Arik Armstead & Javon Hargrave
- Edge: Clelin Ferrell / Chase Young (Mid-season trade!)
That Chase Young trade was the biggest "all-in" move of the year. The Niners felt like they weren't getting enough pressure opposite Bosa, so they sent a pick to Washington to get the former #2 overall selection. It was a polarizing move. Some people thought Young was the missing piece; others felt he was too inconsistent.
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Linebackers and the "No Fly Zone"
Fred Warner is the best linebacker in football. Period.
He and Dre Greenlaw formed the fastest LB duo in the league. They covered so much ground that it allowed the safeties to play more aggressively. Speaking of safeties, the loss of Talanoa Hufanga to an ACL tear mid-season was a massive blow.
Ji'Ayir Brown, the rookie, had to step in. That’s a lot of pressure for a kid. He had some growing pains, but you could see the talent. Tashaun Gipson Sr. was the veteran "glue" back there, keeping the young guys lined up correctly.
At cornerback, Charvarius "Mooney" Ward had a career year. He was shadowing WR1s every week. Deommodore Lenoir also made a huge leap in 2023, moving between the outside and the slot depending on the package.
What You Can Learn From the 2023 Build
If you’re looking at this through a management or strategy lens, the 2023 49ers were a lesson in "Star Power vs. Depth."
They paid their stars huge money and filled the rest of the 49ers depth chart 2023 with cheap rookie contracts and veteran-minimum guys. It’s a risky way to live. When everyone is healthy, you look like the best team in history. When a few key pieces like Trent Williams or Deebo Samuel miss a game, the whole system stutters.
Actionable Next Steps
- Study the Salary Cap: If you want to understand why the depth was thin, look at the 2023 cap hits for Bosa, Warner, and Williams. It’ll show you exactly why they had to rely on rookies in the secondary.
- Rewatch the Mid-Season Slide: Watch the games against the Browns, Vikings, and Bengals. You’ll see exactly what happened to the depth chart when Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel were out. It’s a clinic on how "star dependency" works.
- Check the 2024 Transitions: Compare this 2023 list to the current roster. You’ll see that many of those depth players (like Clelin Ferrell or Sebastian Joseph-Day) were one-year "mercenaries" brought in for a specific run.
The 2023 49ers weren't just a team; they were a high-wire act. They had the talent to win it all, and they nearly did. But the real story wasn't just the stars—it was how the coaching staff managed a roster that was always one or two injuries away from a crisis.