Post Draft 53 Man Roster | Page 15

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 1:27 PM

#211

49ersRing
Veteran
Posts: 13,982

Undrafted rookie OL Drew Moss made the 49ers' initial 53-man roster, source says. Of course, the 49ers will continue to adjust their roster in the coming days and weeks, but it's a sign that Moss did a lot of good things in training camp.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 26, 2025

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM

#212

bvc49
Veteran
Posts: 1,851

Originally posted by 60sFan:
After Brian Robinson Trade:
Going to be a focused running game, now.

QB (2)
Brock Purdy
Mac Jones

RB/FB (5)
Christian McCaffrey
Issac Guerendo
Jordan James
Brian Robinson Jr
Kyle Juszczyk

WR (4)
Jauan Jennings
Ricky Pearsall
Skyy Moore
Jordan Watkins

TE (4)
George Kittle
Luke Farrell
Jake Tonges
Brayden Willis

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

DL (10)
Nick Bosa
Evan Anderson
Mykel Williams
Sam Okuayinonu
Kalia Davis
Alfred Collins
CJ West
Trevis Gipson
Jordan Elliott
Bryce Huff

LB (6)
Fred Warner
Nick Martin
Dee Winters
Tatum Bethune
Luke Gifford
Curtis Robinson

CB (6)
Deommodore Lenoir
Renardo Green
Dallis Flowers
Siran Neal
Jakob Robinson
Upton Stout

Safety (4)
Jason Pinnock
Marques Sigle
Ji'Ayir Brown
Richie Grant

ST (3)
Jon Weeks
Thomas Morstead
Jake Moody

PUP
Brandon Aiyuk
Malik Mustapha
Yetur Gross-Matos

DNI
Kurtis Rourke

IR DR (not to count against initial 53)
Kevin Givens
Jacob Cowing

Suspended
Demarcus Robinson

I'm not impressed.

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:34 PM

#213

49ersRing
Veteran
Posts: 13,982

The 49ers have waived OL Nick Zakelj, per @nwagoner pic.twitter.com/KzxSVvjpHs
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) August 26, 2025

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:35 PM

#214

49ersRing
Veteran
Posts: 13,982

#49ers released WR Robbie Chosen, a source tells me.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 26, 2025

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM

#215

NYniner85
Veteran
Posts: 118,769

We cut our punter?

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM

#216

NYniner85
Veteran
Posts: 118,769

49ers moves pic.twitter.com/xHxhGLysmd
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 26, 2025

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:40 PM

#217

braap49er
Veteran
Posts: 7,739

We only have 4 WR's??

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:41 PM

#218

JTB1974
Veteran
Posts: 16,242

Originally posted by NYniner85:
We cut our punter?

The only thing that makes sense is they have one of those wink wink deals where they told him they will bring him back when someone goes on IR

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM

#219

49ersRing
Veteran
Posts: 13,982

Originally posted by NYniner85:
We cut our punter?

My guess is we'll bring him back after we put Givens on IR

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM

#220

JTB1974
Veteran
Posts: 16,242

They announce Robinson's suspension just after the deadline.

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:45 PM

#221

49erFaithful6
Veteran
Posts: 39,910

Originally posted by NYniner85:
We cut our punter?

we meant to cut the kicker and something got lost in translation

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM

#222

the_dynasty
Veteran
Posts: 4,333

Originally posted by braap49er:
We only have 4 WR's??

Im almost certain they will re-sign some of the vets who dont go through waivers under the *wink wink* clause. Or they will pick up someone from waivers. But as of rn I expect Gage or Chosen to be on the roster come week 1

Might be the same for the punter, but its a punter so I inherently care a lot less there

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:50 PM

#223

Willisfn4life
Veteran
Posts: 7,334

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
We cut our punter?

My guess is we'll bring him back after we put Givens on IR

Veteran punter Thomas Morstead is on the 49ers' list as being released. Source says it was just a procedural move. He will likely be back on the roster tomorrow after some adjustments are made.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 26, 2025

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:50 PM

#224

genus49
Moderator
Posts: 27,801

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
We cut our punter?

My guess is we'll bring him back after we put Givens on IR

Yes...although I'm not sure how Givens is able to be placed on the IR to return right now vs having to wait with Cowing.

I'll be curious if they make any claims/signings tomorrow. My guess is one or two guys who made the team now may not be on the team come week 1. If I had my call it would be Hennessy

Aug 26, 2025 at 1:50 PM

#225

the_dynasty
Veteran
Posts: 4,333

On the bright side, Valdez is really the only cut I'm unhappy with. Everyone else makes sense one way or the other and not a big deal to let go.

Lets see what PS looks like and who we get off waivers.