The San Francisco 49ers are just days away from trimming their roster to 53 players, and several positions remain difficult to project. Injuries, preseason performances, and the amount of playing time given to certain players have all provided clues about Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch's plans.
With the preseason now complete, here is my latest projection of the 49ers' 53-man roster, along with a look at some of the toughest decisions facing the team before the deadline.
Quarterback (3)
Brock Purdy
Mac Jones
Kurtis Rourke
Running back (3)
Christian McCaffrey
Kaelon Black
Jordan James
Earlier, I thought head coach Kyle Shanahan would keep four, with Sincere McCormick getting the final spot. But Black and James both looked so good that he may well opt for just three. McCormick or Khalil Herbert might be on the practice squad.
Fullback (1)
Wide receiver (6)
Mike Evans
Deebo Samuel
De'Zhaun Stribling
Demarcus Robinson
Jacob Cowing
Jordan Watkins
At the beginning of training camp, many assumed Christian Kirk would be in this group, but he has missed all of camp with an injury. Because of that, and because Cowing and Watkins have youth, potential, and versatility (especially Cowing), it is likely Kirk will either be released or put on the PUP or IR list.
Tight end (3)
George Kittle
Jake Tonges
Luke Farrell
Offensive line (9)
Trent Williams
Colton McKivitz
Dominick Puni
Jake Brendel
Carver Willis
Connor Colby
Vederian Lowe
Drake Nugent
Robert Jones
The final spots here may come down to health. Lowe, Jones, and Austen Pleasants are all banged up, so one of them might end up on the PUP list.
Defensive line (10)
Nick Bosa
Osa Odighizuwa
Alfred Collins
Romello Height
Gracen Halton
CJ West
Sam Okuayinonu
Keion White
Bryson Eason
Sebastian Valdez
I am very unsure about these last two. How people looked in practice will likely be the main factor. Eason, Valdez, and the others not listed here did not distinguish themselves during the game.
It is also noteworthy that Collins and West both played significant snaps. That tells me Shanahan has not made up his mind who will start next to Odighizuwa.
Mykel Williams will begin the year on the PUP list.
Linebacker (6)
Fred Warner
Dre Greenlaw
Tatum Bethune
Jaden Dugger
Nick Martin
Luke Gifford
At present, Gifford and Martin are injured, and Gifford has been injured for some time. He was outstanding on special teams last year, so I am including him here. Depending on the severity of the injury, he might get put on PUP, which would free up a spot for a safety.
Which leads to...
Defensive back (9)
Deommodore Lenoir
Upton Stout
Renardo Green
Jack Jones
Ephesians Prysock
Siran Neal
Malik Mustapha
Ji'Ayir Brown
Marques Sigle
I am grouping the cornerbacks and safeties. Neal has looked good and is a slot corner to back up Stout. He gets the nod over Darrell Luter, Jr., though the latter has been on the team since he was a rookie, so it would not be a shock if he makes it. There are only three safeties in this group, so Lynch will try to keep at least one or two on the practice squad.
If Gifford is not included, look for Luter or Ashtyn Davis to take that place.
Kicker (1)
Punter (1)
Long snapper (1)
There you have it—for now. Depending on health, who plays in Australia is far from determined. The two biggest issues here are at running back—how many will Shanahan keep—and at linebacker and defensive back.
49ers mentioned in this article: Tatum Bethune, Kaelon Black, Nick Bosa, Jake Brendel, Ji'Ayir Brown, Connor Colby, Alfred Collins, Jacob Cowing, Ashtyn Davis, Jaden Dugger, Mike Evans, Luke Farrell, Luke Gifford, Renardo Green, Dre Greenlaw, Gracen Halton, Romello Height, Jordan James, Jack Jones, Mac Jones, Kyle Juszczyk, Christian Kirk, George Kittle, Deommodore Lenoir, Vederian Lowe, Nick Martin, Christian McCaffrey, Sincere McCormick, Colton McKivitz, Malik Mustapha, Siran Neal, Drake Nugent, Osa Odighizuwa, Sam Okuayinonu, Austen Pleasants, Ephesians Prysock, Dominick Puni, Brock Purdy, Demarcus Robinson, Kurtis Rourke, Deebo Samuel, Marques Sigle, Upton Stout, De'Zhaun Stribling, Jake Tonges, Sebastian Valdez, Corliss Waitman, Fred Warner, Jordan Watkins, Jon Weeks, Keion White, Trent Williams, Mykel Williams, Carver Willis
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