49ers show depth in Broncos tuneup

A look at winners, losers and promising prospects from the 49ers first preseason game against Denver.

49ers deepen depth while raising questions after Broncos tuneup

In their first preseason game, the 49ers showed a mix of depth and questions. On defense, coach Robert Saleh tested multiple players and dialed up pressure on Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. Kalai Davis, Dee Winters and C.J. West stood out in limited snaps, signaling potential depth behind the regulars. Offense had moments, but the run game behind Christian McCaffrey needs others to emerge to balance the workload.

Rookie and second-year players made their case for extended roles, while some blockers struggled in pass protection. Luke Farrell and Brayden Willis contributed as blockers but left room for improvement, and the interior line shuffled through tackles with Zakelj and Martin showing rough edges. The result is a roster picture that will sharpen in the coming weeks as the team evaluates the rest of the depth chart and plans for Week 1.

Depth is the story tonight. The defense looked deeper than expected, with Winters, Valdez and Lucas making plays behind a front that pressed Denver early. That kind of versatility matters more in a long season when injuries test the roster.

Offensively, questions revolve around the pivots behind McCaffrey and the blocking group. If Robinson misses time, the receivers and late picks like Watkins, Cowing and others must show they can contribute. The early favorable signs create a wave of optimism, but the real test comes when the lights turn on for real.

Highlights

Next preseason games will reveal how much this depth translates to real regular-season action.