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Some positions will be tougher to trim than others. Some players will be tougher to part ways with than others. Once the roster is down to 53, it could still change. The team will likely look at other roster casualties and try to shore up a position or two before the regular season kicks off.
A special thanks to 49ers superfan Patrick Tulini for the back-and-forth roster discussion that prompted the completion of this list.
Quarterbacks (2)
Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert
Running Backs (4)
Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush, Mike Davis, Jarryd Hayne
Notes: Jarryd Hayne will contribute more as a dynamic return man than a running back, where he still has a lot to learn. That makes Kendall Hunter a tough cut and someone that would be nice to keep on the roster.
Bruce Miller
Notes: Miller may be facing a short-term league suspension forcing the team to look elsewhere or go without a fullback.
Wide Receivers (5)
Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton, DeAndrew White
Notes: Jerome Simpson will start the season with a suspension, opening the door for White.
Tight Ends (4)
Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Blake Bell
Notes: Four tight ends? The 49ers will likely use two tight end formations and look to them to help block. How is Vance McDonald still on the roster you ask? According to Pro Football Focus, McDonald was the second highest rated blocking tight end in the league last season.
Offensive Line (8)
Joe Staley, Alex Boone, Erik Pears, Joe Looney, Marcus Martin, Brandon Thomas, Trent Brown, Jordan Devey
Notes: This group, perhaps the weakest on the team, may change before the start of the season if the 49ers look to bring in a recent offensive line castoff from another team. If not, then it will change later during the season once Daniel Kilgore returns from the PUP list.
Defensive Line (7)
Glenn Dorsey, Ian Williams, Quinton Dial, Tank Carradine, Arik Armstead, Darnell Dockett, Mike Purcell
Notes: Tony Jerod-Eddie was a tough cut. It's just tough to imagine the 49ers letting go of anyone else on the list. Mike Purcell has surprised in preseason and has good upside. Does Dockett's injury change things for the 11-year veteran? Money aside, the 49ers were pretty careful with him during the offseason to just cut him loose. We shall see.
NaVorro Bowman, Michael Wilhoite, Nick Moody, Nick Bellore, Shayne Skov
Notes: Skov was so tough to leave off of this list, that he stayed on it. He has shown a lot of promise, aside from some pass defense miscues.
Outside Linebackers (4)
Ahmad Brooks, Aaron Lynch, Eli Harold, Corey Lemonier
Notes: This is assuming that Brooks is available to the 49ers, which he probably will be. Should he be? That is for someone else to decide. His absence would change things a bit.
Cornerbacks (5)
Tramaine Brock, Keith Reaser, Kenneth Acker, Donte Johnson, Shareece Wright
Notes: There is a lot of youth at cornerback and tons of potential. It will be interesting to see if that potential still shows when the games count. The 49ers really need a youngster to step up and surprise within this group.
Safeties (5)
Antoine Bethea, Eric Reid, Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, L.J. McCray
Specialists (3)
Phil Dawson, Bradley Pinion, Kyle Nelson
