The 49ers’ offseason program is wrapped up and now the team is in a holding pattern until they begin an extremely important training camp on July 26.
This year’s preseason work will be the first step in implementing a roster that can carry San Francisco back to the postseason. While their roster should be improved from last year, there are still a ton of questions that’ll need to be answered in camp.
Here’s what our projected 53-man roster looks like following the offseason program:
Quarterback (2)
Jimmy Garoppolo
CJ Beathard
Beathard and Nick Mullens are in a battle for the No. 2 quarterback spot going into camp. Head coach Kyle Shanahan says they’re even, but Beathard was the better quarterback in the offseason program. He gets the nod as the second quarterback for now, with the door still open for Mullens to sneak onto the roster as a third signal caller.
Notable cuts: Nick Mullens
Running back (4)
Jerick McKinnon
Matt Breida
Tevin Coleman
Raheem Mostert
No changes here. It would be a pretty significant surprise if any of these four running backs don’t make the team. The biggest thing to watch at this position will be how the roster shakes out on game days.
Notable cuts: Jeff Wilson Jr.
Fullback (1)
Kyle Juszczyk
He’s the best fullback in the league. Nobody’s close to unseating him.
Wide receiver (6)
Dante Pettis
Marquise Goodwin
Trent Taylor
Jordan Matthews
Deebo Samuel
Jalen Hurd
Matthews is the only change here with Kendrick Bourne moving out of the final six. The veteran Matthews had a good offseason program and probably gets the nod over Bourne going into camp. There’s a chance the 49ers keep seven receivers though, which makes the battle for that final spot extremely intriguing. Pettis, Goodwin, Taylor, Samuel and Hurd all appear to be locks.
Notable cuts: Kendrick Bourne, Richie James
Tight end (3)
George Kittle
Kaden Smith
Ross Dwelley
Dwelley for the veteran Garrett Celek is the big change here. This is one that could wind up changing several times throughout the preseason depending on Celek’s health. He’s a perfectly capable player, but dealing with a concussion and offseason back surgery, along with only having one year left on his deal, it’s entirely conceivable he winds up on the outside looking in.
Notable cuts: Garrett Celek
Offensive line (8)
OT Joe Staley
OT Mike McGlinchey
OT Shon Coleman
G Ross Reynolds
G Joshua Garnett
G Laken Tomlinson
G Mike Person
C Weston Richburg
Last year’s starting five are all locks to make the team. There aren’t any changes here yet, though Garnett’s roster spot isn’t guaranteed by any means, and it’s conceivable they only keep seven. This will be a position group to keep a close eye on in the preseason.
Noteable cuts: Justin Skule, Erik Magnuson
Cornerback (6)
Richard Sherman
Ahkello Witherspoon
Jason Verrett
K’Waun Williams
DJ Reed
Tim Harris
The move of Tarvarius Moore to safety made the cornerback group a little more interesting. We had them keeping seven, but now they’ll keep six with Moore on the roster as a safety. His ability to play both spots should help him.
Notable cuts: Greg Mabin
Safety (5)
Adrian Colbert
Jaquiski Tartt
Jimmie Ward
Marcell Harris
Tarvarius Moore
Moore’s move to this spot leaves one man out. Exum is the most likely candidate at this point since he’s on a cheap one-year deal. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he finds his way onto the club because of his versatility and experience.
Notable cuts: Antone Exum Jr.
Linebacker (6)
Fred Warner
Kwon Alexander
Elijah Lee
Mark Nzeocha
David Mayo
Dre Greenlaw
No changes at the linebacker spot. Malcolm Smith appears to have an uphill climb to crack the roster.
Notable cuts: Malcolm Smith
Defensive line (8)
DeForest Buckner
Dee Ford
Arik Armstead
Nick Bosa
Solomon Thomas
Kentavius Street
DJ Jones
Ronald Blair
Blair is the beneficiary of the changes in the secondary that left one roster spot open. Jones and Street are far from locks with Sheldon Day certainly capable of winning a job on the defensive line.
Notable cuts: Sheldon Day
Specialists (3)
K Robbie Gould
P Mitch Wishnowsky
LS Colin Holba
No changes to this group. Holba will be around until Kyle Nelson’s suspension is over after Week 7. Gould still hasn’t reported and may not until Week 1.
