49ers 53-man roster prediction: Out with the old, in with the new

Out with the veterans, and in with the rookies.

For the most part, that's been the off-season focus for the San Francisco 49ers. General Manager John Lynch set a goal to get younger and cheaper, and he has certainly done that.

The pillars are still in place, but if you were looking for a roster overhaul, then look no further than San Francisco. With preseason underway, let's take a look at early predictions for the 53-man roster.

D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Quarterbacks (2): Brock Purdy, Mac Jones

The roster spots for quarterback should be easy, right?

Feel free to abandon all the hype you've heard about an actual competition for QB1. Quite simply because 265-million-dollar quarterbacks don't ride the bench. Brock Purdy is poised and ready for another productive season under center. Hopefully, he can help this team out of the basement and back into the win column.

That leaves former first-round pick Mac Jones to wear the headset on the sidelines. For those of you keeping track, head coach Kyle Shanahan showed tremendous interest in Jones the same year that the 49ers drafted quarterback Trey Lance.

D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Running backs (5): Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, Kyle Juszczyk, Ameer Abdullah, Jordan James

Bleacher Report ranked Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo the sixth-best running back duo in the National Football League. Not bad for a team that lost Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason during the offseason.

The simple truth is that this running back squad is only going as far as McCaffrey can take them. He's the catalyst that fuels the run game. On the other hand, Guerendo played very well in McCaffrey's absence. His strength at the line of scrimmage and breakaway speed proved to be too much for opposing defenses to handle. Mix in newly-acquired Ameer Abdullah, who brings veteran leadership and is a reliable option as a receiver out of the backfield, and this is a well-rounded group.

After a very brief separation and an emotional reunion, "Juice" is back to finish what he started eight years ago with the Shanahan regime. His importance to the team proved to be too great to ignore.

Rounding out the group is rookie Jordan James, who turned heads in camp. The odds are definitely in his favor to get some reps as a rookie.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Wide receivers (6): Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins

Brandon Aiyuk probably won't start for the 49ers in Week 1, but let's just go with the possibility that he will, because without him, this receiver corps has potential but is very inexperienced. Nonetheless, the ceiling on this group is high. With that being said, the downside is that it's going to take time. Let's not forget that Lynch and Co. absolutely gutted this team. However, if Aiyuk comes back strong and Jennings gets his due, then this group is no longer a large question mark.

The one to watch this year is going to be Ricky Pearsall. The 49ers invested a first-round pick in him, and he flashed some great potential late last season. If he can continue to ascend, then this is a formidable trio.

Demarcus Robinson was an absolute YAC monster with the division-rival Rams, Jordan Watkins turned heads in camp, and Jacob Cowing is an absolute speedster, too much to ignore.

Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Tight ends (3): George Kittle, Luke Farrell, Ross Dwelley

What can you say about George Kittle? He's the most complete player on the team, and arguably the best tight end in football. His ceiling just seems to get higher every year. Luke Farrell is an interesting signing. Spending 20 million dollars on a tight end whose forte isn't lighting up the scoreboard might seem foolish to most people, but his blocking is definitely worth the price of admission.

At the end of the day, if running back Christian McCaffrey stays out of harm's way, then mission accomplished. Ross Dwelley knows the Shanahan system and is a reliable backup.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive line (9): Trent Williams, Dominick Puni, Jake Brendel, Ben Bartch, Colton McKivitz, Spencer Burford, Nick Zakelj, Connor Colby, Drew Moss

Trent Williams is a first ballot Hall of Famer. The only problem with that is the 49ers haven't named an heir to his throne for when he hangs up his golden cleats. If he retired today, then the left tackle position would be the weakest part of the line.

Many fans and commentators alike thought for sure that picking a successor was a first-round lock. Instead, the 49ers decided to give newly returned defensive guru Robert Saleh more toys to play with.

The War Room struck gold during last year's draft when they selected guard Dominick Puni. He's strong, has great hands, and plays lights-out football. He's also the kind of player you can build around. No doubt he'll be the anchor once Williams calls it quits.

The 49ers put a lot of trust in right tackle Colton McKivitz when they handed him the starting job when former tackle Mike McGlinchey hightailed it for Denver. He claimed the job and hasn't relinquished it yet. We'll see if he can elevate his game even more this season as he plays into the final year of his contract.

Ben Bartch is sidelined with a quadriceps injury, but it's safe to say that the left guard position is basically his to lose. Center Jake Brendel continues to impress coaches while holding down one of the most critical positions on the line. Due to the lack of depth at the position, his job appears to be uncontested.

The two players to watch along the offensive front are guards Connor Colby and Drew Moss. If they can impress and somehow make their way into the starting lineup, then Dominick Puni can swing outside to tackle, a position he played in 2023 for the Kansas Jayhawks.

Imagine the possibilities.

D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Defensive line (9): Nick Bosa, Bryce Huff, Mykel Williams, Yetur Gross-Matos, Jordan Elliott, Michael Dwumfour, Kevin Givens, Alfred Collins, C.J. West

The biggest change during the offseason came from the defense, specifically along the defensive line. Once again, the pillars are the same, but everything in between is completely different.

Edge rusher Nick Bosa continues his reign as captain along the defensive front. For him, it'll be business as usual. Put on the pressure and get to the quarterback.

Speaking of cost. The one big move made during the offseason was bringing in former Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff via trade. The move should prove to be a low-risk, high-reward endeavor. He gets a fresh start with a couple of All Pros, and the All Pros finally get some much-needed help.

Rounding out the group is some quality depth and a band of rookies that will jump at the chance to prove themselves. At the very least, it'll be interesting to watch first-round pick Mykel Williams and defensive tackles Alfred Collins and C.J. West adapt and flourish under coordinator Robert Saleh.

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Linebackers (6): Fred Warner, Dee Winters, Nick Martin, Luke Gifford, Curtis Robinson, Tatum Bethune

Linebacker Fred Warner is arguably the best in the business at his position. He's the epitome of a leader and makes everyone around him better. Every other linebacker on the team is a question mark. Although there's a lot of potential in supposed starters Dee Winters and rookie Nick Martin, we have yet to see how they will stack up with a mainstay like Warner.

On a positive note, we have seen how Robert Saleh can mold young football minds and coach up a defense. In terms of leadership, he can do a lot with a blank canvas, and this team is full of rookies that will be tested.

Something tells me that although the linebacker position appears to be thin, it has the potential to be the strongest squad on the final 53-man roster.

Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Defensive backs (10): Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Ji'Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha, Tre Brown, Darrell Luter Jr, Upton Stout, Richie Grant, Jason Pinnock, Marques Sigle

If the regular season started today, your starting four would be Deommodore Lenoir, who is no doubt the leader of this secondary, Ji'Ayir Brown, who has been up and down in two seasons, and second-year players Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha.

This starting group will either be dominant together or disastrous. Solely due to the lack of playing time they've had together and the timeframe of Mustapha's return. Once again, this group's trajectory is heavily contingent on Robert Saleh's approach and defensive scheme.

Rookies Upton Stout and Marques Sigle have been absolute standouts in training camp. If their preseason play translates to regular-season success, then the secondary will be successful.

Rounding out the group are some hand-picked veterans who have a history with Saleh. That's a plus as he transitions to a completely new secondary, as there are no returning members from his last tenure.

In hindsight, an overhaul was the right move for the 49ers. Moving forward, the pillars are still in place, and the rest of the roster is full of energy and potential. The 49ers are now a balanced team and the timeframe to do so was justified in large part due to a solid draft class.

What they do with that potential remains to be seen.