49ers 53-man roster projection: Who makes the cut? Which receivers do they keep?
The cancellation of the preseason threw a wrinkle into our 53-man roster projection this summer. It also limited us to just one projection as we would typically put one together after each preseason game.
Making this a touch easier was the fact the training camp roster size shrunk from 90 to 80. There were only a handful of upsets for roster spots. Read to find out which players might surprise and be on the roster for the Sept. 13 opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
(* denotes rookie)
Quarterback (3)
Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard
Keeping three quarterbacks is often unnecessary, but not in a season where you need as much depth as possible because of the coronavirus. Kyle Shanahan said this week Mullens and Beathard are still competing for the backup job, though it’s likely to go to Mullens, given he was the backup for all 19 games last season. But Beathard’s had a strong camp and might have the best arm of all three.
Didn’t make the cut: N/A
Running back (5)
Kyle Juszczyk (fullback), Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon, JaMycal Hasty*
The upset here is Hasty, who sneaks on the team for his work as a pass catcher and possible insurance policy for McKinnon, who missed the last two seasons with knee issues. Hasty appears to be a more dynamic runner than Jeff Wilson Jr., who would be nice to have on the practice squad.
Didn’t make the cut: Wilson, Josh Hokit (fullback)
Receiver (6)
Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk*, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis, Tavon Austin
Pettis appears to have rebounded and is eager to carve out a meaningful role with the team that drafted him. He might end up being the punt returner, with Richie James Jr. expected to begin the season on non-football injury list (NFI). Seventh-round pick Jauan Jennings doesn’t offer enough on special teams to win a job here and he had two costly drops in Friday’s practice. Jennings would be an ideal practice squad candidate while Austin adds value in the return game until James is healthy.
Didn’t make the cut: Jennings, J.J. Nelson, Shaun Poindexter, River Cracraft, Kevin White
NFI: James (wrist)
Tight end (4)
George Kittle, Jordan Reed, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner*
Four tight ends seems heavy but would be necessary given Woerner’s blocking. The team kept four tight ends throughout last season to have extra blockers for the running game. Two of those blocking tight ends, Levine Toilolo (New York Giants) and Garrett Celek (retirement), are no longer around. Undrafted rookie Chase Harrell has shown flashes in training camp and is worth stashing on the practice squad.
Didn’t make the cut: Harrell
Offensive line (8)
Trent Williams, Mike McGlinchey, Laken Tomlinson, Daniel Brunskill, Tom Compton, Colton McKivitz*, Ben Garland, Justin Skule
The offensive line took some hits with Shon Coleman opting out of the season and Ross Reynolds going down with a bone bruise in his leg. The team’s top center, Weston Richburg, is still recovering from a torn patellar tendon and is likely to open the season on the physically unable to perform list (PUP). Garland would be the center in his stead, but a recent ankle injury has thrust Brunskill to center, where he’s clearly going through an adjustment period in practice.
Didn’t make the cut: William Sweet, Jaryd Jones-Smith, Reynolds, Kofi Amichia, Hroniss Grasu
PUP: Richburg
Defensive line (10)
Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Kerry Hyder, Dion Jordan, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw*, D.J. Jones, Solomon Thomas, Kentavius Street, Kevin Givens
This is clearly the team’s best position group top to bottom. Street and Givens might provide more punch than expected in bit roles while Thomas seems poised for a productive year now that the team is finally leaning into playing him inside exclusively. Jordan hasn’t been impressive in camp and might not have gotten the nod here if not for the camp injuries to Bosa and Ford while Ronald Blair III continues to work back from November’s ACL tear. It’s unclear if Blair will start the year on an injury list, but he will for the purpose of this exercise. Darrion Daniels, the undrafted rookie, is a practice squad candidate. Jullian Taylor, who tore his ACL in December, might wind up on injured reserve and miss the season.
Didn’t make the cut: Daniels
PUP: Blair
IR: Taylor
Linebacker (5)
Fred Warner, Kwon Alexander, Dre Greenlaw, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Mark Nzeocha
The top three form one of the best groups in the league that should be even better in 2020 (health permitting). Warner is ready to break out and has been excellent throughout training camp. Alexander has also been better than last season, when he started slowly coming off an ACL tear. The upset pick here is Flannigan-Fowles, who has made a few highlight plays throughout camp. He’s an athletic converted safety who has outperformed veteran Joe Walker and Azeez Al-Shaair, who both would make sense on the practice squad.
Didn’t make the cut: Walker, Al-Shaair, Evan Foster
Cornerback (5)
Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, Jason Verrett
The battle to play opposite Sherman is likely going to be won by Moseley, though Witherspoon’s upside remains intriguing. Consistency has, and perhaps always will be, his top issue. But he’s worth a roster spot nonetheless. Verrett appears healthy and has gotten a lot of work with the starters this offseason and could be a contributor if there’s an injury. Jamar Taylor has gotten most of the reps in the slot, but it’s hard to find a roster spot for him when Williams returns from his calf injury, which isn’t expected to keep him out Week 1. Tim Harris, a draft pick who missed all of last season, seems ticketed for the practice squad
Didn’t make the cut: Taylor, Harris, Dontae Johnson
Safety (4)
Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Tarvarius Moore, Marcell Harris
It appears likely the 49ers will roll back the same group as last season’s top-ranked pass defense. Moore could be used more heavily on third-down packages that put Ward one-on-one with tight ends or receivers. Harris’ familiarity should outweigh the more-established career of Johnathan Cyprien, who vowed this week he wouldn’t join the practice squad if asked. Undrafted free agent Jared Mayden seems like an ideal practice squad candidate after a successful college career at Alabama.
Didn’t make the cut: Cyprien, Mayden
Specialists (3)
Robbie Gould (K), Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Kyle Nelson (LS)
None of these three had any competition during training camp. Gould made 11 of 12 field goals over the final seven games of the regular season and hit all seven of his attempts in the playoffs.