placeholder image

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports


Four 49ers players named to NFL.com’s ultimate 53-man roster

Jun 14, 2021 at 2:41 PM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Four San Francisco 49ers players were named to NFL.com's "ultimate 53-man roster." Like any honorary roster, this one consists of some of the top names in the game — with one caveat. The roster must be constructed using the 2021 salary cap of $182.5 million and each player's salary for the upcoming season. That means the roster can't be stuffed with Pro Bowlers and All-Pros as backups. Anthony Holzman-Escareno created the roster, and he had some tough decisions to make.

It's still an impressive collection of players, though. The starting lineup has big names like Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Which four Niners made the 53-player list? That would be tight end George Kittle, left tackle Trent Williams, and linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. The first three are listed as starters. Another player who was considered but didn't make the cut was defensive end Nick Bosa.

Kittle and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs are the team's starting duo at tight end. Rob Gronkowski of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Garrett Griffin of the New Orleans Saints are their backups.

"Stacking Kelce and Kittle makes this offense almost impossible to defend," wrote Holzman-Escareno. "In 2018, Kittle set an NFL record with 1,377 receiving yards at tight end. Last season, Kelce eclipsed that mark with 1,416 receiving yards in just 15 games. ... Kittle missed eight games in 2020, but he still averaged 79.3 receiving yards per, good for second among tight ends behind Kelce (94.4). Kittle can provide elite receiving and run-after-catch ability, while also being a devastating run blocker. ... Plus, a locker room with Kelce, Kittle, and Gronk would be a happy one."

Another 49ers-Chiefs duo anchors the edges of the offensive line. Williams and Orlando Brown are the two offensive tackles. Williams is the roster's highest-paid offensive lineman, but his $8.2 million salary in 2021 makes it manageable.

"Williams just became the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history, but he comes with a very manageable Year 1 cap hit," wrote Holzman-Escareno. "Since 2012, the only season he missed the Pro Bowl was 2019, the year he did not play. In his first campaign with the 49ers, Williams was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded offensive tackle."

Warner and Darius Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts are the starting linebackers. The 49ers linebacker seems like a bargain at $3.6 million. That number will inflate next year, though.

"Warner is an absolute steal for a third-round pick," wrote Holzman-Escareno. "An elite coverage linebacker, the Niners standout finally got his rightful due with Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods in 2020. He led all linebackers in overall and coverage grades by Pro Football Focus in 2020. ... Greenlaw is a depth player who has plus coverage skills and can also contribute on special teams."

Click here to view the entire 53-man roster.



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

49ers officially announce several roster moves, including Leonard Floyd signing

By Site Staff
7 hrs

The San Francisco 49ers officially announced several roster moves today. Among them was the signing of defensive end Leonard Floyd to a two-year deal. Additionally, the team announced the signing of linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, cornerback Chase Lucas, offensive lineman Brandon Parker, and cornerback Isaac Yiadom to one-year deals and the re-signing of offensive lineman Jon Feliciano to a one-year deal. The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown. Floyd (6-3, 240) was originally drafted as the ninth overall selection by the Chicago Bears in the 2016 NFL Draft. Throughout his eight-year career with the Bears


placeholder image

Updated list of 49ers draft picks in 2024 after NFL penalty

By David Bonilla
5 hrs

The NFL has penalized the San Francisco 49ers for payroll accounting errors that occurred at the end of the 2022 league year. This has led to the team forfeiting their fifth-round draft pick in 2025 and a reduction in their fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft. San Francisco's fourth-round selection, initially No. 131 overall, now shifts down four spots to the end of the round at No. 135, following the compensatory picks from that round. Despite this setback, the 49ers still possess 10 selections in the 2024 NFL Draft but will be short a pick next year. The team's selections in the upcoming draft are as follows: Round 1, Pick 31 Overall Round


placeholder image

2024 NFL Free Agency Questions and Answers

By Site Staff
Mar 10

NFL Communications provided the following information regarding the 2024 NFL Free Agency signing period. When does the 2024 free agency signing period begin? At 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13.​ When is the two-day negotiating period for potential unrestricted free agents? From 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, March 11 until 3:59:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon expiration of their 2023 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 13. The two-day negotiating period applies only to prospective unrestricted free agents. It


placeholder image

Charvarius Ward willing to help 49ers land Tre'Davious White

By David Bonilla
5 hrs

The San Francisco 49ers likely aren't finished fortifying their defense and have reportedly expressed interest in bolstering their defensive backfield. If they require assistance making a significant move, one 49ers player is prepared to lend a helping hand. Last week, the Buffalo Bills released All-Pro cornerback Tre'Davious White, who appears to be an ideal fit for San Francisco's needs opposite Charvarius Ward. Over the weekend, Ward took to social media to reveal that he and White share the same agent and that he is willing to nudge the free-agent defensive back in the right direction. Ward described White as a "hand in glove


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone