A look at every new 49er heading into exhibition opener against Broncos
SANTA CLARA – Saturday’s preseason opener will unveil a slew of 49ers, some filling in for entrenched starters and others merely auditioning to extend their careers.
And some will miss their debuts because of this training camp’s growing injuries, including top draft pick Mykel Williams (knee) and fifth-round running back Jordan James (finger).
To help with introductions ahead of the 5:30 p.m. kickoff against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium, here is a quick-reference guide on those first-time Niners:
No. 5 Demarcus Robinson (WR): He’s proven himself as a potential starter, but he’s facing at least a three-game suspension for a drunken-driving charge from last season’s arrest in L.A.
No. 7 Thomas Morstead (P): This 17th-year veteran replaces Mitch Wishnowsky as the punter – and Jake Moody’s holder on kicks.
No. 10 Mac Jones (QB): Runner-up to Trey Lance for the 49ers’ No. 3 overall draft pick in 2021, Jones finally is here and progressing extremely well in Kyle Shanahan’s system as the undisputed backup to Brock Purdy. He’s been accurate, lively, and a fun watch.
No. 17 Carter Bradley (QB): His three-quarter release has distributed some laser throws a week since arriving and unseating Tanner Mordecai as the third quarterback. He’s also the oldest son of Gus Bradley, the 49ers’ new assistant head coach/defense.
No. 17 Jordan Watkins (WR): Brock Purdy says he has faith he and Watkins can nail down their chemistry and timing after the rookie fourth-rounder excelled in the spring and quieted some in camp. “We’re pushing him hard,” Kyle Shanahan said. “So, some days are going to be up, some are going to be down, but he’s just got to keep going forward because we’ve got to have him ready for the season and he’s still working his way to get there.”
No. 18 Isaiah Hodgins (WR): San Jose native is a sixth-year NFL veteran out of Berean Christian High-Walnut Creek. His 6-foot-3 frame matches that of Jauan Jennings, who’s out with a calf issue.
No. 20 Upton Stout (CB): No rookie has shined more than this 5-foot-9 (starting?) nickel back, whose “Let’s Do It!” mindset has him breaking up and intercepting passes, thus earning a recent comparison from John Lynch to Hall of Famer Ronde Barber.
No. 22 Tre Brown (CB): After four years with the Seattle Seahawks, Brown entered camp as the No. 3 cornerback, but he’s given up too many passes to lock down that role or a roster spot.
No. 24 Richie Grant (S): This lesser-heralded veteran safety acquisition has gotten first-team reps while Ji’Ayir Brown recovers from offseason ankle surgery.
No. 25 Jason Pinnock (S): After starting the past two seasons with the New York Giants, he seems like a lock to do so with the 49ers, especially with Malik Mustapha amid ACL recovery. But the 49ers have ditched veteran safeties after solid camps in past years, and this is now a youth-oriented defense.
No. 29 Jordan James (RB): Fifth-round pick’s first training camp got scuttled first by knee injury and now surgery on fractured finger.
No. 33 Siran Neal (S): Versatile veteran is a special-teams catalyst who appeared in 10 playoff games in 2018-23 Bills tenure.
No. 35 Dallis Flowers (CB): Seized first-team reps in place of injured Renardo Green; spent two-plus seasons with Colts before joining 2024 Bucs practice squad.
No. 36 Marques Sigle (S): Fifth-round rookie ran a 4.37-second 40 at the scouting combine, so perhaps he’ll speed into the safety mix over a veteran. He recently got first-team reps.
No. 38 Ameer Abdullah (RB): This 32-year-old running back (697 touches in 141 games) could see plenty of preseason work to bail out this thin unit, which likely won’t run Christian McCaffrey or Isaac Guerendo in the preseason.
No. 40 Derrick Canteen (CB): Undrafted rookie (via Georgia Southern, Virginia Tech and Cincinnati) impressed on special teams in joint practice against Broncos.
No. 43 Fabian Moreau (CB): Ninth-year journeyman was signed Monday but wasn’t seen in Thursday’s practice.
No. 45 Nick Martin (LB): Third-round pick will be making first tackles in 10 months since knee injury at Oklahoma State. He is “just real excited to live the dream for real and actually finish these plays.”
No. 46 Chazz Surratt (LB): Former North Carolina quarterback has delivered hard thuds in camp to show he’s not just a stowaway from Robert Saleh’s tenure with the Jets.
No. 46 Jon Weeks (LS): This stout 5-foot-10, 242-pound long snapper spent 15 years with Texans. “I’ve always admired him from afar just playing against him because I could never get him,” new 49ers special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said. “… He’s been fantastic.”
No. 47 Bryce Huff (DE): Pass-rush specialist has rotated between first- and second-strings (and even labored on special teams) as the 49ers gauge what they have (see: 2023 Jets’ 10-sack star; 2024 Eagles bust).
No. 49 Corey Kiner (RB): No reason to think this 5-foot-9, undrafted rookie from Cincinnati can’t hustle his way as the next great discovery in the Shanahan system, if needed.
No. 49 Jakob Robinson (CB): This undrafted rookie is showing savvy in coverage at camp. Played at BYU 2021-24 after 2020 freshman year at Utah.
No. 50 Stone Blanton (LB): He intercepted Tanner Mordecai in camp’s second practice but his roster fate likely rests on special-teams ability as a linebacker prospect.
No. 55 Drew Moss (C/G): Undrafted rookie from Colorado State is buried on depth chart but is envisioned as a project at center.
No. 55 Sebastian Vasquez (DT): Undrafted rookie from Washington has earned nickname “Baby Hulk” as a 6-3, 301-pound powerhouse who could sneak onto 53-man roster.
No. 57 Luke Gifford (LB): Has spent camp as the first-string strong-side linebacker with a 6-foot-3 frame that’s excelled on special teams with the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans.
No. 60 Bruce Hector (DT): Came aboard Monday to resume a journeyman career that included a Jets’ stint in 2023-24 under Saleh.
No. 61 Matt Hennessy (C/G): Fifth-year vet arrives as Jake Brendel’s backup at center but doesn’t offer as much versatility at guard as camp challenger Nick Zakelj, per offensive line coach Chris Foerster.
No. 69 Bradlee Anae (DE): Hawaiian native and former Utah star tore an ACL with the New York Jets in May 2023. Saleh calls him a “very smart, effective player. He’s got great versatility, so it’s a great opportunity for him.”
No. 69 Zack Johnson (OL): Joined practice squad on New Year’s Eve, so not totally new but this will be his “game” debut, likely as a reserve on the line’s right side.
No. 75 Connor Colby (G): This seventh-round pick arrived at No. 249 overall, or 14 spots earlier than Brock Purdy in 2022. Foerster commends Colby’s pass-protection skillset more than run-game quickness, so watch how he fares in that regard.
No. 76 Jaylon Allen (DE): This UFL product has flashed since arriving last week, so watch for an extremely low stance on his pass rush.
No. 76 Isaiah Prince (OT): Signed Monday, Prince used to face off with Nick Bosa during their days at Ohio State before the 2019 NFL Draft; Prince went to Miami in the sixth round.
No. 86 Junior Bergen (WR): Will be curious if the 49ers devote their punt returner role to this 5-foot-9 rookie who was the 11th and final member of their draft class.
No. 89 Luke Farrell (TE): His blocking skills as a No. 2 tight end made him the 49ers’ most expensive addition in free agency (three years, $15.8 million).
No. 95 Alfred Collins (DT): Second-round behemoth (6-5, 332 pounds) has come on strong the past few practices, after an understandably slow start to camp after missing offseason work with a calf injury.
No. 98 Mykel Williams (DE): Drafted No. 11 overall, Williams’ versatility on the defensive line likely will not be unveiled until the regular season. He sustained a knee injury Thursday that was preliminarily diagnosed as a hyperextension.
No. 99 C.J. West (DT): His violent, supersonic hands and low-base power have jumped out in one-on-one combat, so now it’s time to see how that translates to game action from this charismatic fourth-round gem.