49ers release first unofficial depth draw: Brandon Aiyuk listed as starting punt return

With their first preseason game in a few days, the 49ers released their first unofficial depth chart on Tuesday night:

Keep in mind that this is unofficial and most teams have an intern who prepared it in August. So what you see above is not set in stone.

Offense

The best example of this is Richie James being listed ahead of Trent Sherfield. There is no plausible explanation for this, as Sherfield has received the majority of reps with starters over the past week, while James has been inconsistent at best – he dropped a touchdown pass from Jimmy. G during training on Tuesday.

Trey Sermon took no reps with the second or third team. If we were nit-picking, you could list running backs like “Raheem Mostert OR Trey Sermon”. Depending on the rep distribution, you can also place Elijah Mitchell in front of JaMycal Hasty.

Other than that, there are no real surprises. The depth chart will adjust to the wide receiver over the next two games. We’re only talking about one or two spots too. This creates a lot of competition, and it is likely that it will depend on who has the most opportunities.

Depth along the offensive line seems set in stone unless one of the third teams takes a significant step forward during the preseason.

Defense

DeMeco Ryans has said Marcell Harris’s versatility to play at two positions will be factored into the roster. Harris didn’t look out for linebacker for a guy still learning the ropes. It will therefore go to Harris and Jonas Griffith for fifth linebacker place.

There is an embarrassment of wealth along the defensive line. There is going to be a good player who is cut. I don’t envy the 49ers front office having to make this decision.

It may come as a surprise to see Talanoa Hufanga against Tony Jefferson, but Hufanga dominated Jefferson. If you were to remove the names from the back of their jerseys, 29 have passed 41 (now 25).

It took three practices to realize the value of Emmanuel Moseley. First of all, he plays with confidence, which was not the case last season.

Punt turner, Brandon Aiyuk

We’ll see if Aiyuk is the primary punt returner or if he’s inserted in specific situations, like when a team goes out of their own end zone. Many fans are worried about injuries or if Aiyuk won’t have the energy on offense.

The likelihood of Aiyuk receiving a big kick back or being thinner than him when receiving a blow. And when it comes to energy, these guys are in supreme form. So if he has to sit down after returning a punt of more than 10 yards, so be it.

For me, it’s simple. Get the ball into the hands of your best player as often as possible. No one on the team gives the 49ers a better chance to take a home kick than Aiyuk. Having said that, it should be the comeback.

CeeDee Lamb did it last year for Dallas. We’ve seen Tyreek Hill do the same for the Chiefs. Put the ball in the hands of your playmakers. I love it.