Post Draft 53 Man Roster | Page 13

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 12:22 PM

#181

raywm3
Veteran
Posts: 1,509

Originally posted by NYniner85:
[tweet

Bummer:
49ers waived undrafted DT Sebastian Valdez, per source
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 26, 2025

{

speechless

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:24 PM

#182

BleedsRedNGold
Veteran
Posts: 4,806

Originally posted by 49ersFan_vienna:
Here we go, the yearly brainfarts of lynch/shanahan start right here

Unless any of us here are actually at practice or in the meeting rooms, this statement is a headscratcher.

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:24 PM

#183

NYniner85
Veteran
Posts: 118,852

Originally posted by raywm3:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
[tweet

Bummer:
49ers waived undrafted DT Sebastian Valdez, per source
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 26, 2025

{

speechless

I mean do folks think someone else is gonna toss him on their 53 man roster? If not he will be back on the PS.

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:26 PM

#184

elguapo
Veteran
Posts: 26,382

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by raywm3:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
[tweet

Bummer:
49ers waived undrafted DT Sebastian Valdez, per source
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 26, 2025

{

speechless

I mean do folks think someone else is gonna toss him on their 53 man roster? If not he will be back on the PS.

I think he may be worth a roster spot for other teams that are short on DTs. We really should have kept him imo.

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM

#185

the_dynasty
Veteran
Posts: 4,337

Not happy about the Valdez cut.

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM

#186

49ersFan_vienna
Veteran
Posts: 1,747

Originally posted by NYniner85:
I mean do folks think someone else is gonna toss him on their 53 man roster? If not he will be back on the PS.

Any Team in rebuild mode with no need to win now.

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:29 PM

#187

leakyfausett
Veteran
Posts: 12,582

I love cut down day almost as much as draft day or opening of free agency. The 3 days that tons of webzone GMs and Scouts lose thier s**t because they know the talent better than the front office. Get your pop corn ready.

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM

#188

49ersRing
Veteran
Posts: 14,014

Originally posted by the_dynasty:
Not happy about the Valdez cut.

It's alright. Our roster isn't what it used to be. If a guy can't make the 53 here, he probably won't make it anywhere else. We'll add him to the practice squad.

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM

#189

the_dynasty
Veteran
Posts: 4,337

Originally posted by 49ersRing:
It's alright. Our roster isn't what it used to be. If a guy can't make the 53 here, he probably won't make it anywhere else. We'll add him to the practice squad.

not to be rude, but you arent saying anything with this...we know how the roster cuts work...Im unhappy because I think Valdez might be scooped up by someone else.

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:43 PM

#190

ninerjok
Veteran
Posts: 19,298

Originally posted by CraigHR:
Blanton and Canteen cut per SF Chronicle

Damn I can't believe how stupid they are, just kidding

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM

#191

LottDMontanaO
Veteran
Posts: 7,757

O.k., 15 minutes until the deadline...

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:48 PM

#192

the_dynasty
Veteran
Posts: 4,337

Clelin Ferrell got released...an old friend lol

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:49 PM

#193

CatchMaster80
Veteran
Posts: 20,202

Originally posted by the_dynasty:

Originally posted by 49ersRing:
It's alright. Our roster isn't what it used to be. If a guy can't make the 53 here, he probably won't make it anywhere else. We'll add him to the practice squad.
not to be rude, but you arent saying anything with this...we know how the roster cuts work...Im unhappy because I think Valdez might be scooped up by someone else.

So what if he is. Players are cut nd picked up by othewr teams all the time. Most of the time they end up getting cut again. He could still end up on the Niners practice squad. The Niners staff obviuosly didn't think he was better than the guys they're keeping. I guess they didn't consult you first.

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM

#194

49ersRing
Veteran
Posts: 14,014

Originally posted by the_dynasty:

Originally posted by 49ersRing:
It's alright. Our roster isn't what it used to be. If a guy can't make the 53 here, he probably won't make it anywhere else. We'll add him to the practice squad.
not to be rude, but you arent saying anything with this...we know how the roster cuts work...Im unhappy because I think Valdez might be scooped up by someone else.

I'm saying he probably won't be scooped up anywhere, so you don't need to worry about it. This isn't 2021-2023 where we had quality depth and had to cut decent players at cutdown time.

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:51 PM

#195

CraigHR
Veteran
Posts: 31

Jalen Graham, Chazz Surratt, and Bradley-King cut

[ Edited by CraigHR on Aug 26, 2025 at 12:51 PM ]