The San Francisco 49ers have one more preseason game. They square off with the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday night. We can expect to see more starters play in this game. Who plays and for how long remains to be seen. Shanahan said on Tuesday, "Yeah, I'd like the starters to play. We'll see how today and tomorrow go, but that's the plan."
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag this week and solicited your questions. You responded and we've answered as many as we can. So let's get to it and take a look at your questions.
Who would you pick as a surprise roster cut? - Dave B.
I'm going to go with Christian McCaffrey. I'm not sure he has it anymore. And he fumbled in the Super Bowl, so there's that.
I'm kidding, of course. McCaffrey is safe. If I were to pick a surprise roster cut, I'd go with QB Brandon Allen. I doubt that will happen, though. I'm not sure the 49ers would trust Tanner Mordecai at this point. It's safe to say you can put Mordecai on the practice squad. Maybe another team would pick him up, but I doubt it. If the rookie QB clears waivers and makes it to the practice squad, he would likely be safe because no team is going to steal him from the 49ers' practice squad. To do so would mean they'd have to place him on their active roster. That's very unlikely to happen.
QB coach Brian Griese seems to like Mordecai a lot, though. Could that persuade the team to keep him over Allen? Possibly, but I still doubt it. Then again, who had Brock Purdy being kept over Nate Sudfeld in 2022?
WR Ronnie Bell may not make the team, but I didn't pick him because I'm not sure that would be much of a surprise. You can say the same for wide receivers Trent Taylor or Danny Gray.
The 49ers are currently expected to win an NFL-leading 11.5 games this season, per Vegas odds. If Trent Williams decides to tear our hearts out and retire, how many games can we expect the Niners to win in 2024…oh wise one? -Sir Christopher W.
I can't recall the last time I was called, "wise." Oh, wait, I do remember—never.
If Trent Williams retires, the 49ers may be in trouble. They like Jaylon Moore, but he's not the answer at left tackle. San Francisco would still win a lot of games in the regular season, but it would be the playoffs where we'd see the loss of Williams create problems.
If Williams retires (and I don't think he will), I'd say they will win 10 games but struggle to run the ball and keep Brock Purdy upright in the postseason.
Are they gonna get some good line help? Trent gets hurt a lot. Puni can't be the only guy who can block - Craig H.
Can we boost up our o-line? Need better QB protection. - Theresa B.
The 49ers aren't going to be adding anyone else to the offensive line this season. If they do, it won't be anyone who will get the fanbase excited. It would likely be a depth piece or some veteran who can step in and take over in case of injury. Let's all hope Williams joins the team soon and stays healthy. If he does, the offensive line will be fine.
How many TE's do you see the 9ers carrying and which ones? Obviously Kittle, and Saubert seems like a lock, but Willis seemed to be rather active and had a decent showing as a pass catcher - Will S.
I would bet they will keep three tight ends. George Kittle, Eric Saubert, and Brayden Willis are my predictions. Cam Latu, Mason Pline, and Jake Tonges would be players they would like to place on the practice squad. But Latu likely won't clear waivers. He's a project, but he has talent, and teams will be interested in him. It would be a shame for the 49ers to lose one of their 2023 third-round picks. But I just don't see Latu making the team over Willis and Saubert.
I thought Bell would be better. - Barbara T.
So did I. He has a shot of making the 53-man roster, but it's also very possible he could be cut. He's been too inconsistent as a wide receiver, and can't be trusted as a punt returner. So he could be on his way out.
If it comes down to Bell and Gray, who would you rather keep? Bell produced more in one season than Gray has in two, but Gray was injured all of last year. Bell may not get much better but Gray might, and his speed could become a legitimate weapon for Kyle Shanahan.
What's the deal with Aiyuk? When are we going to hear something official?? - Chris P.
In the words of GM John Lynch, "I wish I knew."
Anything happening with Trent Williams? - EHeels
There's nothing new to report. Williams is still in Texas working out. He's a pro, so he'll be ready to go, although it may take time to get into game shape. Shanahan and Lynch have remained positive something will be worked out. Shanahan said this week, "You know, I've had some contact with him. It's been good to talk to him. I know we're negotiating hard. Nothing new to add, though, but hopefully, it's getting close."
I anticipate Williams and Aiyuk being signed within the week after the final preseason game. At least, that's my hope.
Does a deal with Brandon Aiyuk need to be completed before Trent Williams gets done? - Dave B.
No, I don't think they're related. The 49ers' front office is capable of working on multiple contracts at once. They may even be working on other contracts for players like Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward.
The focus has been on Aiyuk, but that's because he's been at the facility throughout training camp and is not holding out as Williams has been. That could make it seem like Aiyuk is priority one, and that Williams will be done after they sign Aiyuk. But I doubt that's the case.
Is Purdy worth $50M/yr? - SaltAirJunkie
We may find out this season. The biggest test will be down the road when the 49ers can no longer afford all the weapons Purdy has now. For now, though, he has the 2024 season to prove he is worthy of being one of the highest paid players in NFL history. And I, for one, am glad we have another season to find out. I don't believe Purdy is a flash in the pan, but it's good to have a third season to find out for sure.
Colin Kaepernick looked like he could become one of the best in 2012 and 2013. But in 2014, his flaws started to show. Purdy is about to begin his third season. Their records are similar in their first season and a half, and both went to the Super Bowl and an NFC Championship Game during that time. Kaepernick started getting off track in year three. Will Purdy do the same?
If Aiyuk and Williams both sign, how big do you think the carry-forward salary cap surplus will be for next season? - Mark H.
Both will sign, and the 49ers will structure the contracts in such a way that they benefit the team in the early years of the contract. Team brass likes rolling over their unused salary cap, so I would expect them to do the same, as much as they can. They also like to save some for when players are injured and they have to bring in a replacement.
Do you feel the Niners keep 6 corners or 5? Also, it seems that each year team trades underachieving prior-year picks. Do you see the Niners trying to ship Cameron Latu or Samuel Womack III for conditional picks or picks? Finally, I really like Chris Conley. Does he make the roster? - Lowbridge
I believe the 49ers will try to keep six corners. Lenoir and Ward are the obvious first two. Renardo Green and Isaac Yiadom will make it. The last two will likely be Rock Ya-Sin and Darrell Luter, Jr. Those two can't afford to be cut. They may not make it through waivers, and even if they were on the practice squad, some team might pluck one of them. Ambry Thomas is injured, and he may not have made it either way. Samuel Womack hasn't been able to get on track.
It's possible the 49ers could trade away some young players like Latu or Womack. I don't know what they could get for them, but it's possible. Teams occasionally do that after the preseason.
Chris Conley was good in the 2023 postseason and had a very good Super Bowl as a special teamer. However, you'll recall that he was up and down last year, from the practice squad to the active roster, and back to the practice squad. If Conley doesn't make the initial 53-man roster, and it's possible he won't, I expect him to clear waivers and end up on the practice squad again.
That's all we have for this week's edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. Check back next week for a brand-new mailbag. By then, we'll know more about roster cuts and could have news on Aiyuk and Williams.