SANTA CLARA — Nothing like a Week 1 depth chart, even an unofficial one, to set ablaze the 49ers’ fans, as happened Tuesday to yield this question-and-answer mailbag:

Ji’Ayir starting over Sigle???? (@@49ers_hnic). Brown? Are we serious? He’s terrible (@49ersSideline)

Unless the 49ers coaches verbally declare a competition over, incumbents and/or veterans usually get the nod in depth charts such as these, which are compiled and distributed by the team’s communications staff, hence their “unofficial” designation.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has insisted it’s an open competition. Rookie Marques Sigle‘s speed and instincts impressed in the preseason and he could unseat Ji’Ayir Brown in the lineup. Veteran Jason Pinnock seems to have locked down the other starting spot. Sunday’s first defensive snap in Seattle will be the true reveal.

Jennings should start off the bench as much as that may affect the team. (@SwedishGT)

Not going to happen unless Jauan Jennings’ calf and/or contract demands flare back up this week in his first practices after five weeks off. The 49ers didn’t bench Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyuk or Nick Bosa because of their camp holdouts in past years. They desperately need Jennings. His snap count could be limited, or more likely, they have him bully the Seahawks and block in a run-oriented game plan.

49ers depth chart for Week 1 at Seattle Seahawks is here

Listed as starters
WR Jennings, Pearsall
S Brown, Pinnock
LB Warner, Winters, Gifford
DE Bosa, Williams
DT Elliott, Davis
PR Moore
KR Guerendo pic.twitter.com/5dCgK7M68y

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 2, 2025

Hey Cam, what’s the number situation for rookies? Can they still switch without having to buy out jerseys? I’m looking at Sigle and James. (@ABZato)

Jersey numbers are locked in for the season, for all players. The 49ers’ rookies: Sigle (36); Watkins (17); defensive linemen Mykel WIlliams (98), Alfred Collins (95), C.J. West (99); linebacker Nick Martin (45); cornerback Upton Stout (20); running back Jordan James (29); and offensive linemen Connor Colby (75) and Drew Moss (55).

Skyy Moore over Jordan is crazy. LB Martin should start over Luke. #Fttb (@KingWaldenJr)

Jordan who? (Half-joking). The 49ers have Jordans with the last names Watkins (WR), James (RB), Elliott (DT) and Jefferson (DT). But you’re likely referring to listing Moore as a second-string wide receiver over Watkins, the latter of whom hasn’t practiced since a high ankle sprain in the preseason opener. Moore is essentially a return specialist who might make a cameo as a slot receiver.

Jake Brendel as the starter at center still confuses me. All the analytics show he is just not that good. (@JRBayArea10)

The 49ers, especially offensive line coach Chris Foerster, strongly disagree, and Brendel essentially went unchallenged in training camp, where his understudies were Matt Hennessy and Drake Nugent. Don’t disregard Brock Purdy’s familiarity with Brendel, not to mention the other four veteran starters on the line.

“Man, Jake’s job is so hard. I’m so happy I was able to play guard in this system and not center,” former 49er Jon Feliciano told David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard. “It’s mentally torture. There is so much he has to know and remember. Jake’s been in this system a long time so it’s second-hand to him.”

Where is Gifford from? Rookie? (@ROrnelas24)

Luke Gifford is a special-teams mainstay, but he has also served as the first-string strong-side linebacker since arriving in free agency. The 49ers still could side with a younger No. 3 linebacker (Nick Martin or Tatum Bethune), but Gifford’s bigger body (6-foot-3, 243 pounds) may match up better with the Seahawks’ tight ends in a run-based system. Gifford played his first four seasons with Dallas and the past two in Tennessee; he had a career-high 203 defensive snaps for the Titans last season after just 82 the previous five years.

Nick Martin should start. (@aaron.galindo209)

His third-round draft status implies that he could be a Day 1 starter, at either linebacker spot flanking Fred Warner. His speed and contact courage also impressed as the preseason progressed. The depth chart, however, sees Dee Winters and Gifford handling those roles, as they did throughout camp and the preseason. Martin’s speed will show on special teams, as well as on defense if the 49ers are facing speedier backs and mobile quarterbacks.

Guerendo at KR. He’s toast after the first return (@BCB13262)

Brian Robinson Jr.’s arrival has spoiled Isaac Guerendo’s bid to serve as Christian McCaffrey’s immediate backup. So Guerendo’s speed will be utilized on kick returns; he dislocated a shoulder on a return in camp a few weeks ago to add to a concerning medical file.

When is Mustapha coming back? (@will.chetti)

Safety Malik Mustapha, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and quarterback Kurtis Rourke are officially shelved on injury lists for the first four games but more likely until at least Week 6 at Tampa. Mustapha required a second ACL repair in January, and as determined as he is to rush back, the 49ers will exercise patience.

My goat Mordecai is back on the roster?? (@stevenyoung269)

Quarterbacks Tanner Mordecai and Carter Bradley reverted to the Injured Reserve list once they weren’t claimed from being waived with ankle injuries.

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People really thinking this is a Superbowl team. (@ALLINWITHX)

Well, 49ers fans are indeed called The Faithful, and they’re not abandoning that faith when the Super Bowl (correct spelling) is coming to their home field Feb. 8.

That’s an 8-win team. (@DavoG812)

It is through the Week 14 bye, yes. Then the 49ers finish with three more wins to go 11-6 and win the NFC West in a tiebreaker over the Rams.

Love the coaching staff (@RedCal24)

Is this Kyle Shanahan’s ghost account? Did you try throwing us off by not using @RedCap49?