The NFL draft has wrapped up, and the 49ers are closing in on a complete 90-man roster. That means it’s time to take a guess at what the 53-man roster will look like.
Undrafted rookies haven’t been announced yet, so they could wind up playing a role. A truncated offseason due to COVID-19 closures may also have an impact on how teams put their rosters together, favoring more experienced players to rookies.
San Francisco didn’t make many changes in the offseason, but there’ll definitely be some tweaks. Here’s our first guess at what the 49ers’ final roster will be:
Quarterback (3)
Jimmy Garoppolo
Nick Mullens
CJ Beathard
There’ll likely be a quarterback among the undrafted rookies once they’re announced. For now, all three 49ers quarterbacks stay on the roster with Garoppolo and Mullens the active duo on game days.
Cut: None
Running back (4)
Raheem Mostert
Tevin Coleman
Jerick McKinnon
Jeff Wilson Jr.
If McKinnon is healthy, he should make the club. There are two running backs among the reported undrafted rookies, so they’ll be thrown in the mix with a chance to contribute.
Cut: None
Fullback (1)
Kyle Juszczyk
He’s not going anywhere considering his importance to the 49ers’ offense.
Cut: None
Wide receiver (7)
Deebo Samuel
Brandon Aiyuk (R)
Kendrick Bourne
Jauan Jennings (R)
Trent Taylor
Jalen Hurd
Richie James Jr.
The receiving corps will be the most fascinating group to watch this offseason. These are the seven that stand out for now, but Dante Pettis is talented and aiming for a bounce-back season. It’s easy to see him landing on the roster. Hurd and Taylor are injury question marks, Jennings is a seventh-round rookie, and James’ biggest value to the club through two years is his kick return ability.
Cuts: Dante Pettis, Shawn Poindexter, Chris Thompson, Travis Benjamin
Tight end (3)
George Kittle
Ross Dwelley
Charlie Woerner (R)
The group of tight ends will be interesting to watch as well since there aren’t a ton of bodies, and Dwelley and the sixth-round pick Woerner have similar skill sets. Daniel Helm has a shot to land on the roster, or perhaps operate as a practice squad player who’s called up on game days.
Cuts: Daniel Helm
Offensive line (8)
Trent Williams
Mike McGlinchey
Laken Tomlinson
Daniel Brunskill
Weston Richburg
Colton McKivitz (R)
Justin Skule
Daniel Brunskill
Ben Garland
Teams under the new collective bargaining agreement are required to have eight offensive linemen active on game day. The 49ers have a slew of players who can play different spots. Tom Compton and Shon Coleman are the odd men out for now, but that could quickly change throughout camp. Last year’s undrafted rookie out of Iowa Ross Reynolds is an intriguing name to keep an eye on.
Cuts: Tom Compton, Shon Coleman, Jaryd Jones-Smith, Jake Brendel, Kofi Amichia, Ross Reynolds, Leonard Wester
Cornerback (5)
Richard Sherman
K’Waun Williams
Ahkello Witherspoon
Emmanuel Moseley
DJ Reed
There are a ton of interesting names to watch in this group. This group of five stands out for now, but it’s easy to see the team carrying more than five, and winding up with players like Dontae Johnson, Jason Verrett or Tim Harris on the roster.
Cuts: Jason Verrett, Dontae Johnson, Teez Tabor, Tim Harris, Jermaine Kelly
Safety (4)
Jimmie Ward
Jaquiski Tartt
Tarvarius Moore
Marcell Harris
There are a couple reported UDFA signings that can play safety. DJ Reed has also spent time at free safety. This group appears pretty locked in, but injuries are still a concern for this group going into camp.
Cuts: Chris Edwards, Derrick Kindred, Jacob Thieneman
Linebacker (5)
Kwon Alexander
Fred Warner
Dre Greenlaw
Mark Nzeocha
Azeez Al-Shaair
This group could get a shakeup depending on how camp plays out, but Alexander, Warner and Greenlaw appear locked in at the top of the depth chart going into the season.
Cuts: D. Flannigan-Fowles, Joey Alfieri, Joe Walker
Defensive line (10)
Arik Armstead
Javon Kinlaw (R)
Nick Bosa
Dee Ford
DJ Jones
Jullian Taylor
Solomon Thomas
Kevin Givens
Kerry Hyder
Ronald Blair
Blair’s torn ACL is going to be a factor going into the year and could change the roster calculus some. The top of this group is pretty set, but the depth is going to be essential to this group dominating again this season.
Cuts: Jonathan Kongbo, Willie Henry Jr, Alex Barrett, Ray Smith, Kentavius Street
Specialists (3)
K Robbie Gould
P Mitch Wishnowsky
LS Kyle Nelson
There aren’t any threats to anyone here.
Cuts: None
