5 players on the 49ers’ roster bubble ahead of training camp. Will Tevin Coleman stay?
It’s not always about choosing the best players when NFL teams trim rosters from 90 guys (or during this pandemic, 80) to 53 before the regular season.
Sometimes a veteran with a big salary will get the ax in favor of a rookie who makes 10 percent as much because their skills are similar. Or coaches will favor a young player willing to develop in a backup role over a veteran who believes he deserves a starting job. File that under culture building.
Money is always a factor, of course. Some years it’s more prominent than others. For the 49ers, they reveled in salary cap freedom for much of the last few years before becoming a Super Bowl contender in 2019.
Now, they have more good players than they can afford which led to the trade of enormously popular defensive anchor DeForest Buckner and allowing Emmanuel Sanders to depart in free agency after elevating the receiving corps to meet his high standards.
Put more simply, some unexpected players could be on the wrong side of the roster bubble when coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch trim the roster from 80 to 53 ahead of the Sept. 13 opener against the Arizona Cardinals. With over $4 million in projected space in 2021 with a $175 million cap, every dollar counts.
Let’s take a look at some bubble candidates.
Tevin Coleman, running back
It’s hardly a revelation to point out the Shanahans and running backs coach Bobby Turner have a long history of churning out productive rushers from late in the draft or college free agency. Raheem Mostert going from special teams standout to NFC championship game hero falls in line with the concept.
Which also means Coleman could need a very strong training camp to maintain his standing as Shanahan’s preferred starter, as he was throughout 2019. (Mostert still hasn’t started a game, for whatever that’s worth, despite earning the designation as the team’s top running back.) Coleman averaged 4.0 yards per carry in 2019, which ranked third among San Francisco’s halfbacks.
But if Shanahan trusts Coleman, who had 105 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings playoff game, why would he make this list? The 49ers could save $2.9 million in cap money by releasing the six-year veteran and choosing a cheaper alternative, like Jeff Wilson Jr. or undrafted rookies JaMycal Hasty or Salvon Ahmed. Coleman could also be made expendable if Jerick McKinnon returns to form after missing the last two seasons with knee issues.
Remember, the cap could shrink by some $40 million next season because of the pandemic — and the 49ers are already up against that projection even before giving new contracts to pending free agents George Kittle, Trent Williams and/or Richard Sherman. If Wilson or Hasty or Ahmed can offer the 49ers 60 percent of what Coleman brings, moving on might make the most financial sense.
Mark Nzeocha, linebacker
The 49ers like the developmental prospects of Azeez Al-Shaair, who made the team last year as an undrafted rookie despite tearing his ACL a year prior at Florida Atlantic. This offseason, San Francisco added veteran free agent Joe Walker, presumably to offer more versatility as a depth option for all three linebacker spots.
Nzeocha is a former pass rushing linebacker who transitioned to lining up off the line of scrimmage last season. Nzeocha is one of the team’s better special teams players, but he shouldn’t be considered indispensable given he’s no longer a clean fit at “Sam” linebacker.
If the 49ers keep five linebackers, there’s a reasonable chance they view their best five as Fred Warner, Kwon Alexander, Dre Greenlaw, Al Shaair and Walker, leaving Nzeocha on the outside looking in. The monetary component: San Francisco could save $1.5 million with no dead money if they released Nzeocha.
Dontae Johnson/Jason Verrett, cornerback
Two players take up one subhead here because they have the same issue. They’re veterans in the way of Tim Harris, a 2019 draft pick whom the 49ers would love to develop into a future contributor.
Verrett’s injury history is a major factor for the former Pro Bowler and first-round pick of the Chargers. He appeared in one game last season and was torched for a touchdown following a long pass interference penalty against the Steelers. Then he went on injured reserve with a knee injury. Johnson has been a journeyman since the 49ers moved on from him after the 2017 season and brought him back last year as an insurance policy.
Barring anything unforeseen, the cornerback group will include Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon with one or two spots left. Harris should make it if he’s healthy, which won’t bode well for Johnson and/or Verrett. Though a spot in the secondary could open up because of D.J. Reed’s chest injury.
Tom Compton, offensive line
The 49ers signed Compton this offseason to compete for a starting role opened by Mike Person’s release (Person later retired). But if Compton doesn’t win the starting job, is he worth keeping around over cheaper options like recent draftee Colton McKivitz, Daniel Brunskill, Justin Skule or Ross Reynolds?
San Francisco could save $1.95 million if Compton doesn’t make the team. And the team clearly thinks highly of McKivitz, whom Shanahan said would have been in the mix to replace Joe Staley at left tackle if the Williams trade didn’t come about. It might be that Compton’s only shot at making the team is winning a starting job, which might be difficult given the way Brusnkill played in 2019 and how the team views McKivitz.
Richie James Jr./Travis Benjamin, wide receiver
James has been a serviceable to good return man over the last two seasons after making the team as a seventh-round pick in 2018. But he hasn’t provided much on offense, tallying 15 catches for 295 yards and two touchdowns (though a reasonable argument could be made that James might deserve a larger role).
Benjamin, who played under Shanahan with the Cleveland Browns in 2014, could provide a similar speed element to Marquise Goodwin and provide some juice in the return game. He’s 30 and appeared in just five games last year because of a quadriceps injury.
James and Benjamin have the same problem. They might be expendable in comparison to other players with more upside the 49ers are committed to developing. The locks are receiver appear to be Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne, with James and Benjamin falling into the same tier as Dante Pettis, Trent Taylor, Jalen Hurd and Jauan Jennings. San Francisco would save $1.05 million with no dead money if Benjamin didn’t make the team. Though a spot could be available if Samuel begins the year on an injured list because of his summertime Jones fracture.
This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 8:52 AM.