Post Draft 53 Man Roster | Page 12

Karma · 2025-04-30T11:50:37-07:00

In the most anticipated draft for this team in the last decade or so, I came away feeling good about the state of the team. Yes, the OL was again neglected and there was a severe lack of "sexy" picks, but the balance between the floor and ceiling for most of these players is phenomenal. With that in mind, I thought it worthwhile to take a look at position groups and the likely roster as it stands today. Offense (25): Quarterbacks (3): Purdy, Jones, Mordecai Outlook: Purdy will get his contract and the franchise will go as he goes for the next 5+ years. Jones is Shanahan's new reclamation project. Mordecai has some interesting traits, but may end up back on the practice squad when Rourke gets healthy. Rourke is an interesting prospect; I think Shanahan thinks he can turn him into Purdy's permanent backup. Running Backs (5): CMC, Guerendo, James, Kiner, Juszczyk Outlook: Success this year is dependent on CMC's health, but the rookies, James and Kiner, bring new energy to the RB room. I believe Kiner will beat Patrick Taylor out for the last spot following a pattern that I see throughout the roster decisions this year: upside over safety. Taylor was serviceable in spot duty last year, but Kiner could be the next Shanahan gem. Tight End (3): Kittle. Farrell, Willis Outlook: I am relieved that the team agreed to terms with Kittle. Dude needs to be a lifelong Niner before he invariably gets inducted into the HOF. As for this year, I think he is set for a big year. The uncertainty at WR should make him a bigger target in the passing game. Farrell comes wit ha reputation for being an excellent blocker, but I admit I was disappointed they didn't bring in a TE with better receiving skills. Willis wins the third spot based on his special teams ability and decent blocking versatility. It would be fun to see Pline put pressure on Willis. His size makes him an ideal redzone target. Wide Receiver (5): Jennings, Pearsall, Robinson, Watkins, Cowing Outlook: Tons of opportunity for younger or unproven guys to make the roster. Jennings and Pearsall are the entrenched starters. Robinson is a solid vet and figures to contribute as the WR3. Watkins is intriguing and will get all the opportunity in the world to prove himself. Cowing was underwhelming last year and will need to take a step forward this year. If Bergen shows his value as a returner he could take Cowing's spot on the roster. Same with fellow UDFA Isaiah Neyor. Neyor is a physical specimen but lacked college production. He'll have his chance to prove his value. Aiyuk will start the season on the IR, so it will be interesting to see what happens when he returns. Offensive Line (9): Williams, Bartch, Brendel, Puni, McKivitz, Humphries, Burford, Zakelj, Pleasants Outlook: The most notable omission is Colby. As much as I want him to beat out Burford or Zakelj for a spot, I think it is more likely that he either spends a year on the Practice Squad or he makes the roster because someone gets injured. Burford has had his well documented lapses, but he is still experienced and versatile. Zakelj has not seen the field much, but I believe he is still the backup center and he did have some quality snaps last season. As for the tackle spots, Trent Williams still has to maintain his health which might have been the impetus for signing Humphries. If Williams is healthy, I think McKivitz will face competition from Humphries and Pleasants. This group figures to be the most fluid as the off season progresses. Defense (25):Defensive Line (9): Bosa, West, Collins, Williams, Givens, Anderson, Davis, Gross-Matos, Okuayinonu Outlook: Normally, I might see the team keeping 8 DLs, but with the infusion of rookies and the need to protect them from over usage means they should probably keep 9. Maybe not right away, but the three rookies (Williams, Collins, and West) figure to start next to Bosa sooner rather than later. Jordan Elliott has been a disappointment so far, so I see Kalia Davis making the roster above him. Davis has been a little disappointing as well, but injuries are more of the reason. He has shown bursts when healthy. Givens will provide gateway depth until they replace him, probably in the 2026 draft. Gross-Matos and Okuayinonu should provide solid edge depth and could even see a boost in their play with Saleh back. Linebackers (6): Warner, Martin, Winters, Bethune, Graham, Robinson Outlook: The question is, who starts next to Warner? Winters will get first crack at it and will have to stay healthy. Bethune is a dark horse candidate for me. He did some really nice things last year before he got hurt. Obviously, everyone wants martin to grab ahold of the job and never let it go. Graham and Robinson provide ST work and possible depth considering Winters, Martin, and Bethune are coming off of injury riddled seasons. If everyone is healthy, one of those two could be left off in favor of another DB. Defensive Backs (10): Lenoir, Green, Stout, T. Brown, Lucas, Sigle, J. Brown, Grant, Odum, Pinnock Outlook: Roles need to be figured out. The coaches hope that Stout comes in and grabs the NB position since his size will make it difficult to play on the boundary. If he doesn't, there is a chance Lenoir slides in to that role while Green and Brown play on the outside. Lucas is a ST ace with a little potential to play some defensive snaps. Siran Neal, Tre Tomlinson, and Luter will compete with him for that role, but I believe Lucas has the most upside. Neal would be the next DB kept while Tomlinson is limited by his size. As for the Safeties, Mustapha's injury puts this position in flux. Brown has started the most games for the team, but I think they really like Pinnock. Odum is the closest thing they have to an in the box safety (which he is not), so this is going to be an issue. We might see the team use an extra LB instead since they have several guys who are undersized but speedy (Bethune, Martin, Winters). Now, of course this is all speculation and the team will probably sign more players and have several injuries to manage, but I really like the 53 man above. I think this roster can compete for at least a Wild Card and if some of these younger players take some steps... who knows? Thoughts?

Aug 26, 2025 at 10:59 AM

#166

LottDMontanaO
Veteran
Posts: 7,757

Originally posted by elguapo:
We better sign Wilson, Flowers after our roster maneuvers.

Hoping so, elguapo - especially Wilson.

Aug 26, 2025 at 11:12 AM

#167

elguapo
Veteran
Posts: 26,382

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Per source, the 49ers are cutting CB Dallis Flowers, who lined up a lot with the first-string defense when Renardo Green was injured.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 26, 2025

Though he would make it over Luter. Maybe they both don't make it, though.

Luter plays ST

Don't care if he plays ST. Still getting over him on ST in that last SB - thought his blunder midway through the 3rd when the Chiefs hadn't scored a TD and then were gifted great field position & then got a TD really turned that game. Was absolutely screaming at the TV when it happened. Still haven't gotten over it but need to, I know.

Also not impressed at all w/ him at CB during his time here up through this preseason. We'll see if he ends up making it.

Exactly. Who cares if he plays ST, he is not good at that either. This may be another Ambry Thomas type of mistake (keeping him vs a much better player)

Aug 26, 2025 at 11:14 AM

#168

elguapo
Veteran
Posts: 26,382

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:

Originally posted by elguapo:
We better sign Wilson, Flowers after our roster maneuvers.

Hoping so, elguapo - especially Wilson.

Exactly my man!!!! I really think we should cut Moody if he gets picked up, we can sign another kicker. Then we could keep a Valdez, Anderson

[ Edited by elguapo on Aug 26, 2025 at 11:17 AM ]

Aug 26, 2025 at 11:16 AM

#169

mitpdub
Veteran
Posts: 14,416

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:

Originally posted by elguapo:
We better sign Wilson, Flowers after our roster maneuvers.

Hoping so, elguapo - especially Wilson.

For Wilson isn't signing after week 4 better because there's a guaranteed veteran minimum if I remember correctly?

Aug 26, 2025 at 11:19 AM

#170

mitpdub
Veteran
Posts: 14,416

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

49ers are releasing running back Jeff Wilson. pic.twitter.com/c12taiSezw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2025

maybe back on the PS?

If they can get him on the PS. Wanted him somehow on the 53 - really like how he runs the ball in this scheme, knows this scheme, has a knack for getting into the end zone, and can fill in nicely if/as needed at any given moment.

I f**king HATE that there's only 53 spots allowed still, especially after moving to a 17-game schedule. At the rate players get injured, especially at RB and also over the course of a looooong season + playoffs, really hoping the NFL takes a look at this and eventually adds another few spots to 56 or something. If they end up going to an 18-game schedule, you would think they'd have to allow for slightly larger rosters.

I think we will get down to 52 because there's always one surprise cut on other teams that just makes sense to us.

Aug 26, 2025 at 11:22 AM

#171

LottDMontanaO
Veteran
Posts: 7,757

Originally posted by mitpdub:

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:

Originally posted by elguapo:
We better sign Wilson, Flowers after our roster maneuvers.

Hoping so, elguapo - especially Wilson.
For Wilson isn't signing after week 4 better because there's a guaranteed veteran minimum if I remember correctly?

That sounds right re: the vet minimum after Week 4. Not completely sure but if recalling correctly the team has waited to bring back vets until after Week 4 as the season begins/as needed.

Aug 26, 2025 at 11:26 AM

#172

miked1978
Veteran
Posts: 12,493

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:
If they can get him on the PS. Wanted him somehow on the 53 - really like how he runs the ball in this scheme, knows this scheme, has a knack for getting into the end zone, and can fill in nicely if/as needed at any given moment.

I f**king HATE that there's only 53 spots allowed still, especially after moving to a 17-game schedule. At the rate players get injured, especially at RB and also over the course of a looooong season + playoffs, really hoping the NFL takes a look at this and eventually adds another few spots to 56 or something. If they end up going to an 18-game schedule, you would think they'd have to allow for slightly larger rosters.

I totally agree and even worse that is they just allow 46 to dress for the game. For the life of me i don't understand why the owners still allow this.

They are literally paying 7 guys each week to not play.

Aug 26, 2025 at 11:35 AM

#173

LottDMontanaO
Veteran
Posts: 7,757

Originally posted by miked1978:
__PRESENT

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:
If they can get him on the PS. Wanted him somehow on the 53 - really like how he runs the ball in this scheme, knows this scheme, has a knack for getting into the end zone, and can fill in nicely if/as needed at any given moment.

I f**king HATE that there's only 53 spots allowed still, especially after moving to a 17-game schedule. At the rate players get injured, especially at RB and also over the course of a looooong season + playoffs, really hoping the NFL takes a look at this and eventually adds another few spots to 56 or something. If they end up going to an 18-game schedule, you would think they'd have to allow for slightly larger rosters.

I totally agree and even worse that is they just allow 46 to dress for the game. For the life of me i don't understand why the owners still allow this.

They are literally paying 7 guys each week to not play.

They give some piss-poor reasoning like, "we want to keep the league's competitive balance intact," or some crap. Expanding the rosters by just a little, especially with more games in a season, just is common football sense on so many levels. And, you think the NFLPA would push hard for it to allow more guys to be a part of teams (and thus, earn $) and also have more chances at playing time with all the injuries.

Aug 26, 2025 at 11:40 AM

#174

raywm3
Veteran
Posts: 1,509

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

49ers are releasing running back Jeff Wilson. pic.twitter.com/c12taiSezw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2025

maybe back on the PS?

If they can get him on the PS. Wanted him somehow on the 53 - really like how he runs the ball in this scheme, knows this scheme, has a knack for getting into the end zone, and can fill in nicely if/as needed at any given moment.

I f**king HATE that there's only 53 spots allowed still, especially after moving to a 17-game schedule. At the rate players get injured, especially at RB and also over the course of a looooong season + playoffs, really hoping the NFL takes a look at this and eventually adds another few spots to 56 or something. If they end up going to an 18-game schedule, you would think they'd have to allow for slightly larger rosters.