Not much room for any rookie to crack top 46 gameday players(CSNBayArea Article)

AB81Rules · 2012-04-20T11:27:13-07:00

http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/Draft-picks-face-challenges-to-crack-int?blockID=693360&feedID=5936 If already made, please merge or delete mods. There's the 53-man roster, and then there's the all-important 46-man roster.The conversations about prospects inside the 49ers draft room take both into account. When the 49ers discuss a draft-eligible player, the question is asked, "Can he make the 53-man roster?" Then, the player is evaluated from the perspective of whether he can make a contribution as part of the 46-man roster. Teams must declare seven inactive players for every regular- and post-season game. Only 46 players are allowed to suit up. It's reasonable to look at the 49ers and determine their biggest needs are at guard and wide receiver. But when you look at the most likely 46-man scenario, it's clear that the 49ers' biggest need is at safety. Teams generally have at least four safeties active for games. The two non-starters must be able to contribute on special teams, too. Behind the starting safeties, the 49ers have only one player, special-teams ace C.J. Spillman, who has ever played in an NFL game. If the 49ers take a wide receiver with the No. 30 overall pick, that player would likely have to bump either Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham or Randy Moss off the game-day roster. Ted Ginn's role as the No. 4 receiver appears to be set because of his importance as the team's return man. And there's no reason for the 49ers to carry five wide receivers on game days -- unless the fourth and fifth wideouts are major special-teams contributors. The 49ers will definitely have a new starting right guard this season, as Adam Snyder and Chilo Rachal have signed with the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears, respectively. But, at least, the 49ers already have several viable candidates to fill that role. Coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed a recent CSNBayArea.com report that backup tackle Alex Boone will get a serious look to compete for the job at right guard. When asked about the plan at right guard, Harbaugh answered, "Watch it unfold, let guys compete for it, and we have a number of candidates there: Daniel Kilgore, Mike Person, Boone. I think that'll be the first order of business, evaluating those guys to seeing if they can be that guy." PROJECTED 46-MAN ROSTERBefore the draft, the 49ers do not have many obvious openings for newcomers to get chances to earn a spots on the game-day roster. Here's a look at how the 46-man roster might break down: Quarterbacks (2)Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick (or Josh Johnson)--It should be good competition between Kaepernick and Johnson for the right to wear a uniform on Sundays. Running backs (4)Frank Gore, Bruce Miller, Kendall Hunter and Brandon Jacobs. --Jacobs will have to hold off Anthony Dixon and a possible draft pick for his spot. Wide receivers (4)Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham, Randy Moss and Ted Ginn. --The key is Moss. If he's anywhere near the player he was pre-2010, it'll be difficult for anybody else to crack into this group. Tight ends (3)Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker and Nate Byham. --Byham returns from a knee injury. General manager Trent Baalke this week used Byham as an example of when best-player available also fits a need. Byham was chosen in sixth round of 2010, and 49ers envisioned him as a first-year contributor, and he was. Offensive linemen (7)Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Jonathan Goodwin, Anthony Davis, Alex Boone, Daniel Kilgore and Mike Person. --Kilgore and Person spent most of their rookie seasons on the inactive list. A newcomer is likely to be added to the mix to join the competition. Defensive linemen (5)Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga, Ray McDonald, Ricky Jean Francois and Will Tukuafu. --Tukuafu began last season on the active list before sustaining a season-ending wrist injury. Tukuafu will compete with Demarcus Dobbs and Ian Williams, and probably a newcomer, for a spot in the rotation this season. Inside linebackers (4)Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Larry Grant and Tavares Gooden. --This group looks set, though the 49ers might add an inside linebacker to be a special-teams ace. Outside linebackers (3)Aldon Smith, Ahmad Brooks and Parys Haralson. --A newcomer can give the 49ers four outside linebackers active on game days if he's also a dynamite special-teams player. Cornerbacks (4)Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown, Chris Culliver, Tramaine Brock. --A newcomer can be added to the mix to join the competition along with 2011 draft pick Curtis Holcomb and free-agent pick-up Perrish Cox. Safeties (4)Dashon Goldson, Donte Whitner, C.J. Spillman and ???. --One name that hasn't been mentioned for the 49ers as a possible first-round draft pick: Harrison Smith of Notre Dame. It would make some sense, unless 49ers are certain they can fill that need a round or two later. Specialists (6)K David Akers, P Andy Lee, LS Brian Jennings, and core special-teams players Colin Jones, Rock Cartwright and ???. --There is an opportunity for a rookie to suit up for games based entirely on his special-teams play. That player could be a receiver, inside linebacker, outside linebacker or defensive back. Read more: Draft picks face challenges to crack into 49ers' top 46 Tune to SportsNet Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area for more on this story

Apr 20, 2012 at 11:45 AM

sincalfaithful
Veteran
Posts: 27,712

No Kyle Williams!

Apr 20, 2012 at 12:11 PM

mayo49
Veteran
Posts: 65,216

Originally posted by sincalfaithful:
No Kyle Williams!

Yeah, I don't see why an imcoming rookie can't compete with Williams for that last reciever spot.

Apr 20, 2012 at 12:13 PM

LasVegasWally
Veteran
Posts: 24,887

I thouht this was a very good article.

Do we parlay SOME of our picks to get just 3-4 guys who will be immediate contribtors?

Do we say pat and go BPA?

I feel parlay our pcks into 3-4 players who will make an impact contributions. Like Aldon, Hunter, Miller and Culliver did.

Apr 20, 2012 at 12:18 PM

dhp318
Veteran
Posts: 4,924

say goodbye to Anthony Dixon...

Apr 20, 2012 at 12:42 PM

Afrikan
Veteran
Posts: 23,670

Originally posted by dhp318:
say goodbye to Anthony Dixon...

and why is that? jacobs is only guarranted 140k.......dixon always looks good in preseason...he looked good last year, hunter played great however....i don't see jacobs playing great, especially playing behind our second string unit......if jacobs just plays good, then i don't think that would be enough for him to get a roster spot, unless he plays better than dixon on special teams.......to which i don't even think he has sp teams experience

Apr 20, 2012 at 12:59 PM

SundayTicket
Member
Posts: 5,316

Originally posted by Afrikan:

Originally posted by dhp318:
say goodbye to Anthony Dixon...

and why is that? jacobs is only guarranted 140k.......dixon always looks good in preseason...he looked good last year, hunter played great however....i don't see jacobs playing great, especially playing behind our second string unit......if jacobs just plays good, then i don't think that would be enough for him to get a roster spot, unless he plays better than dixon on special teams.......to which i don't even think he has sp teams experience

LOL!!! The front office signed Brandon Jacobs because the front office does not have any faith in anthony dixon... come on man!

Apr 20, 2012 at 1:03 PM

susweel
Hall of Nepal
Posts: 122,144

We need to draft 2 safeties.

Apr 20, 2012 at 1:07 PM

dhp318
Veteran
Posts: 4,924

Originally posted by Afrikan:
and why is that? jacobs is only guarranted 140k.......dixon always looks good in preseason...he looked good last year, hunter played great however....i don't see jacobs playing great, especially playing behind our second string unit......if jacobs just plays good, then i don't think that would be enough for him to get a roster spot, unless he plays better than dixon on special teams.......to which i don't even think he has sp teams experience

Dixon looked good last year? Honestly my ideal situation is that we draft a runningback and end up cutting both Dixon and Jacobs

Apr 20, 2012 at 1:16 PM

blm7754
Veteran
Posts: 2,785

Interesting read. Although, I think the coaching staff will favor younger players in the competition for roster spots. For example, I think Moss has to be good enough to start to even make the roster. If we draft a WR in rounds 1 or 2, I think Moss has to show in camp and preseason that he is good enough to be our #2 WR. A guy like Moss isn't going to sit the bench (and the 3rd WR in our offense will spend a lot of time on the bench). So if he can't start, he will get cut and a rookie will take his place.

Similar situation for Jacobs (though I think it is MUCH less likely that we draft a RB).

My guess is we draft a WR, OG, and a S that will all make the roster. Other picks will be traded to move up on draft day. And then we will get a couple camp bodies or practice squad guys with the rest.

Apr 20, 2012 at 1:20 PM

#10

andes14
Member
Posts: 2,210

Ya this is why I think there's zero chance we take a WR with our first few picks (assuming Moss makes the team which I think is a safe assumption). How the hell could you have either him, Crab, or Manningham not dress? It's impossible.

Apr 20, 2012 at 2:00 PM

#11

DirtyP
Member
Posts: 1,210

Originally posted by andes14:
Ya this is why I think there's zero chance we take a WR with our first few picks (assuming Moss makes the team which I think is a safe assumption). How the hell could you have either him, Crab, or Manningham not dress? It's impossible.

By not having Kyle Williams dress. You could also cut a guys like Colin Jones or Rock Cartwright who do not contribute on offense or defense.

Apr 20, 2012 at 2:05 PM

#12