Roster analysis: 49ers cuts will be complicated in 2019; incumbents could be on way out

The 49ers should no longer be considered a rebuilding team now that coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have three groups of free-agent additions and NFL Draft classes under their belts. They’ve had enough time to execute their vision during their roster overhaul that began in 2017.

Their win-loss record next season will be the key indicator as to how good they are at building a team.

The goal of San Francisco’s decision makers was to create more offseason competition for roster spots to spur development, which means final roster cuts before the season opener Sept. 8 at Tampa Bay should be the most interesting since Shanahan and Lynch took the reigns. It also means some incumbent players and veterans should have to re-earn their roles as they compete with another influx of players.

Said Lynch at the end of the regular season: “You could see the young guys push some of the veteran players, and it’s another reminder, something we’ve always known, that competition brings the best out in everyone. That’s the environment we want heading into this offseason and the way you do that, you continue to add good, quality players and good, quality people.”

Let’s take a look at incumbents and vets that will have to fight to maintain their roles:

Wide receiver

Kendrick Bourne, Richie James, Jordan Matthews

The additions of Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd on Day 2 of the draft indicate Shanahan wanted more dynamic weapons for Jimmy Garoppolo. Samuel is the favorite to replace departed starter Pierre Garçon at “Z” receiver while Hurd is a wild card among the skill position players. The plan, for now, is to work him at receiver before evolving into a “move” tight end later in his career, similar to how the 49ers used Delanie Walker behind Vernon Davis earlier this decade.

But roster spots are limited, meaning Bourne has work to do despite leading the team’s receivers in receptions (42) and yards (487) in 2018. He was also the 49ers’ only receiver to appear in 16 games while Garçon, Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis dealt with injuries.

James offers value in the return game and slot, but with Hurd and Trent Taylor also expected to play there, he might have a hard time cracking the roster. Matthews in March signed a one-year contract, which means he’ll have to play well during the offseason and training camp to win over his new coaching staff.

Offensive tackle

Shon Coleman

The 49ers traded a late-round draft pick for Coleman during final cuts last year, hoping they could develop him into a swing tackle behind Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey. The team showed even more confidence in Coleman this offseason with the release of veteran Garry Gilliam.

Then, it decided to infuse youth into the competition with the Round 6 selection of Vanderbilt’s Justin Skule, who played both tackle spots while impressing among SEC competition. Skule (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) allowed just eight sacks and 15 quarterbacks hits in 1,441 pass blocking snaps in college, according to Pro Football Focus.

Said Shanahan, “He has the ability to make it, and to me he’s got as good of a mindset on what’s inside of him as anybody out there. When you start 40 games in the SEC, play at the level he did versus that competition, you know the guy is made of the right stuff.”

Guard

Joshua Garnett, Erik Magnuson

Garnett, a 2016 first-round draft pick from Stanford, has hung around despite being drafted by the previous regime and dealing with injuries. Magnuson was signed as an undrafted rookie in 2017 and played sparingly in a backup role, including an unimpressive stint at center in 2018 that included a disastrous snap late in the fourth quarter of a loss to Arizona.

The 49ers decided to re-sign 16-game starter Mike Person at right guard and add veteran Ben Garland, who played under Shanahan with the Falcons in 2016. Promising undrafted rookie Ross Reynolds of Iowa was also brought in, which means there should be plenty of competition.

Tight end

Garrett Celek, Ross Dwelley

Celek turns 31 this month and enters the final year of his contract, which means “Celek Time” could be winding down. The 49ers drafted similarly skilled Stanford tight end Kaden Smith in Round 6. Smith might not be as strong a blocker as Celek, but he’s considered more dynamic as a pass catcher despite his slow 4.92 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.

Dwelley appeared in 11 games last season and only saw 39 offensive snaps, which makes it likely he’s the odd one out if the team goes with three tight ends.

Defensive end

Ronald Blair, Jullian Taylor, Pita Taumoepenu

Nick Bosa and Dee Ford aren’t the only additions to the 49ers’ defensive line group. The team used a fourth-round draft pick in 2018 on Kentavius Street, who missed last season rehabbing a torn ACL sustained before the draft. Street was considered a fringe second-round prospect before the injury, and San Francisco is optimistic about the versatility he offers as a “big” end and interior pass rusher.

Blair, Taylor and Taumoepenu appear to be on the wrong side of those additions. Blair quietly had a strong 2018 with 5.5 sacks. Taylor showed promise last training camp and played 101 snaps over six games. Taumoepenu has been a developmental prospect since entering the league as a sixth-round pick in 2017, but it’s hard to envision him landing a role without injuries above him on the depth chart. The defensive line is easily San Francisco’s deepest and most talented group.

Linebacker

Malcolm Smith, Elijah Lee, David Mayo, Mark Nzeocha

The construction of the inside linebackers should depend on the status of free-agent addition Kwon Alexander, who is spending the offseason rehabbing an ACL tear from October with the Buccaneers. It’s unclear when he’ll be medically cleared.

The team used a fifth-round draft pick on Arkansas’ Dre Greenlaw, whom the 49ers think played much faster than his lackluster 4.73 time in the 40 and should be a quality special-teams player.

Second-year player Fred Warner is the unquestioned starter at “Mike,” but there could be a strong competition to be his running mate early in the season if Alexander isn’t ready. Once Alexander returns, Smith, Lee, Mayo or Nzeocha might be on the wrong side of the bubble.

Defensive back

K’Waun Williams, Greg Mabin, Antone Exum Jr.

The 49ers have liked Williams in the slot over the past two seasons, but he might have significant competition for the first time with second-year player D.J. Reed, who played well while Williams was hurt late in 2018.

San Francisco added Virginia’s Tim Harris in Round 6, who many believe would have been drafted far earlier if not for shoulder and wrist injuries that cost him 2016 and 2017. He could push Mabin, the weak link in 2018, for a roster spot.

Reed could also challenge Exum for his job as a reserve safety, a position that became more competitive this offseason with Jimmie Ward expected to move there full time after being used predominately at corner last season.