Projected 49ers 2020 starting lineup midway through free agency

The 49ers are bringing back a lot of their starters from last season, but some holes remain.

Running back

Raheem Mostert

There’s not a real “starter” for the 49ers since they have a committee of capable backs. Mostert, based on what we saw last season though, should be the team’s closest thing to a starter who earns a majority of the carries over the course of the season. Jerick McKinnon restructured his contract and could compete for time. Tevin Coleman is still on the roster, Matt Breida earned a second-round tender, and Jeff Wilson got an exclusive rights tender. This is going to be a crowded backfield again, but Mostert should be the de facto starter.

Fullback

Kyle Juszczyk

Obviously.

Wide receiver

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Deebo Samuel
Kendrick Bourne
Trent Taylor

Poring over the wide receiver depth chart makes it clear a rookie will likely fill one of those starting spots. Taylor missed all of last season with a foot injury, and Bourne is a fine player, but probably best served as a third option. Samuel and Bourne feel like the only sure things among the 49ers’ group of pass catchers. After that, the group features Richie James Jr., Marquise Goodwin, Dante Pettis, Jalen Hurd and Travis Benjamin. They’ll all contend for starting jobs, which makes it clear the 49ers could use an injection of talent at the top of the depth chart.