Analysis: 49ers make final cuts, announce first 53-man roster of 2020

The 49ers’ active roster is set after the team made a series of cuts on Saturday. The roster sits at 52 players while linebacker Fred Warner remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The team won’t have to release anyone when he’s activated.

The team on Saturday released 23 players and waived/injured reserve offensive lineman Ross Reynolds, who was carted off the field during an August practice with a bone bruise. Receiver Deebo Samuel was activated off the non-football injury list and defensive linemen Ronald Blair III and Jullian Taylor were placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, along with center Weston Richburg.

Here’s our first position-by-position breakdown of the defending NFC Champions ahead of next week’s season opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

(* denotes rookie)

Quarterback (3)

Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard

Didn’t make the cut: NA

Undrafted free agent Broc Rutter was released when the team trimmed the roster from 90 to 80 in early August. Otherwise, no surprise the team is keeping three quarterbacks. The pandemic makes having multiple insurance policies imperative at the game’s most important position. The question becomes: Can Garoppolo take the next step and overcome his fourth-quarter performance in the Super Bowl?

Running back (5)

Kyle Juszczyk (fullback), Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon, Jeff Wilson Jr.

Didn’t make the cut: JaMycal Hasty*, Josh Hokit* (fullback)

Hokit seems primed for the practice squad in case anything happens to Juszczyk, who missed practice time recently with a minor hamstring issue. The last spot came down to Hasty and Wilson, with the team electing to keep the more experienced player in Wilson. Hasty seems primed for a practice squad spot after a strong training camp. Hasty beat out fellow undrafted rookie Salvon Ahmed, who was released last month and claimed by the Dolphins, who also added former 49ers running back Matt Breida in a draft-day trade. Look for McKinnon to have a role as a pass catcher, particularly on third down.

Receiver (6)

Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk*, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis, Richie James Jr.

Didn’t make the cut: Jauan Jennings*, Shaun Poindexter, River Cracraft, Kevin White

One of the biggest news stories to come out of Saturday was the expectation Samuel will be on the active roster for Week 1 after missing all of training camp rehabbing a Jones fracture in his foot sustained in June. It’s unclear if he’ll be cleared to play against Arizona in eight days, but he’s at least eligible. He’d have just a week to get ready for the regular season to get back into real football shape to help out the banged-up position group. The same goes for Aiyuk, who got off to a strong start in training camp before being sidelined with a hamstring strain. Taylor could be massively important for the offense if he regains his form whencoach Kyle Shanahan said he was the best offensive player the team had throughout last season’s training camp.

Tight end (4)

George Kittle, Jordan Reed, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner*

Didn’t make the cut: Chase Harrell*, MarQueis Gray

The 49ers believe they have the best tight end group in the NFL. That’s certainly possible but only if Reed turns in a healthy season after his seventh documented concussion cost him all of 2019. Woerner is already up to snuff as a blocker and Dwelley returns after having a strong 2019 as Kittle’s understudy. Reed could be big for the passing game, particularly if the 49ers are missing one or two of their top receivers early in the season.

Offensive line (8)

Trent Williams, Mike McGlinchey, Laken Tomlinson, Daniel Brunskill, Tom Compton, Colton McKivitz*, Ben Garland, Justin Skule,

Didn’t make the cut: William Sweet, Jaryd Jones-Smith, Ross Reynolds, Kofi Amichia, Dakoda Shepley, Hroniss Grasu

PUP: Weston Richburg (knee)

Williams could be one to benefit from Dee Ford’s reported contract restructure. He’s unsigned beyond this season and has distinguished himself as one of the team’s best players after sitting out all of last season with Washington. Otherwise, the spotlight will be on the center and right guard spots, which were nailed by injuries and opt-outs during the season. It’s unclear if Ben Garland, the presumptive starter at center, will be available after spraining his ankle in training camp. Though releasing Grasu indicates Garland could be ready. Richburg will be first eligible to return off the physically-unable-to-perform list for the Oct. 25 game against the New England Patriots.

Defensive line (9)

Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Kerry Hyder, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw*, D.J. Jones, Solomon Thomas, Kentavius Street, Kevin Givens

Didn’t make the cut: Darrion Daniels*, Alex Barrett, Cameron Malveaux, Dion Jordan

PUP: Ronald Blair III, Jullian Taylor

The hope is Blair can come back and provide a boost to the pass rush while also being able to spell Bosa and Ford, particularly in the first half of games. Taylor tore his ACL late last season after dealing with a slew of significant leg injuries in college and is uncertain to contribute this season. Jones, Thomas, Street and Givens all showed signs of promise throughout camp and the 49ers might need all four to make up for the absence of DeForest Buckner. This should be the team’s best overall position group for the second year in a row.

Linebacker (5)

Kwon Alexander, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Mark Nzeocha, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

Didn’t make the cut: Joe Walker, Evan Foster

Reserve/COVID-19 list: Fred Warner

Warner’s status bears monitoring ahead of the opener. He’s started every game since getting drafted in the third round in 2018 and has quickly become one of the best young linebackers in the league. It’s unclear who would replace him as the primary signal caller for the defense. It could be Greenlaw or Al-Shaair, while Nzeocha and Flannigan-Fowles vie for roles on special teams. Flannigan-Fowles, a former safety, has intriguing length and athleticism. He made a few splashy plays during training camp after spending last season on the practice squad.

Cornerback (5)

Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, Jason Verrett

Didn’t make the cut: Jamar Taylor, Tim Harris, Dontae Johnson

The 49ers were coy about who would win the starting job opposite Sherman, but all signs are pointing to Moseley. He replaced Witherspoon in Week 17 and the Vikings playoff game after he struggled. Verrett suffered a hamstring injury late in camp and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return. For now, depth at cornerback could become an issue if any of the starters wind up missing time.

Safety (4)

Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Tarvarius Moore, Marcell Harris

Didn’t make the cut: Johnathan Cyprien, Jared Mayden*

The last spot came down to Cyprien, a longtime starter and former second-round pick, and Harris, who struggled last season while replacing Tartt but has special teams value. Ward and Tartt both played well throughout last season and focused on taking the ball away after forcing no turnovers in 2019. Cyprien vowed he wouldn’t be willing to join the practice squad if asked.

Specialists (3)

Robbie Gould (K), Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Kyle Nelson (LS)

Didn’t make the cut: NA

No surprises. There was no competition for any of these three players throughout camp.

This story was originally published September 5, 2020 at 3:26 PM.