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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kyle Madson

49ers 53-man roster projection 4.0: Post-preseason Week 1 edition

The 49ers won their first preseason game, but they exited the game with more questions than answers.

Their 53-man roster looked like it would have only minor tweaks throughout the preseason, but Saturday night threw several positions into disarray as the 49ers try and sort out the back end of the roster.

Here’s our crack at what the final roster might look like after Week 1 of the preseason:

Quarterback (3)

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Garoppolo
Nick Mullens
CJ Beathard

A lateral performance from both Mullens and Beathard in the first preseason game makes an already difficult decision for the 49ers even harder. Instead of cutting one, they keep both to start the year and essentially let the battle continue in practice. San Francisco would prefer their backup quarterback not matter since Garoppolo should start all 16 games. A trade is still on the table for either Mullens or Beathard as well.

Running back (4)

Matt Breida
Tevin Coleman
Raheem Mostert
Jerick McKinnon

McKinnon’s balky knee in his recovery from a torn ACL makes him a significant question mark going into the year. He gets the nod on the 53-man for now, but an IR stint to start the year to ensure he’s fully healthy could be in his future.

Fullback (1)

Kyle Juszczyk

He’s the best fullback in the league. Nobody’s close to unseating him.

Wide receiver (6)

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Dante Pettis
Marquise Goodwin
Trent Taylor
Richie James
Deebo Samuel
Jalen Hurd

No changes here after the first preseason game, although a lack of consistency from this group is putting a lot of roster spots and playing time up for grabs.

Notable cuts: Kendrick Bourne, Jordan Matthews

Tight end (2)

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

George Kittle
Ross Dwelley

What the 49ers may try to do is put McKinnon on the initial 53-man roster, then move him to IR and fill his roster spot with Kaden Smith or Tyree Mayfield should one clear waivers. Kittle and Dwelley are the top two tight ends, and if they wind up only keeping two, Juszczyk and Hurd may be able to take on some third tight end duties.

Notable cuts: Garrett Celek, Kaden Smith, Tyree Mayfield

Offensive line (8)

OT Joe Staley
OT Mike McGlinchey
OT Sam Young
G Najee Toran
G/C Ben Garland
G Laken Tomlinson
G Mike Person
C Weston Richburg

Offensive line depth is going to be a massive issue, especially following the loss of leading swing tackle candidate Shon Coleman to IR for the season in the first preseason game. They signed journeyman tackle Sam Young to be his replacement, and based on the performance of the offensive line Saturday, Young should win a roster spot.

Noteable cuts: Justin Skule, Joshua Garnett

Cornerback (6)

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Richard Sherman
Ahkello Witherspoon
Jason Verrett

K’Waun Williams
Emmanuel Moseley
Tim Harris

This group stays mostly the same. DJ Reed will stay on the roster, but not at corner. Emmanuel Moseley takes his spot thanks to his versatility and special teams ability. Rookie sixth-round pick Tim Harris had a couple nice plays against the Cowboys and continues to make his case for a roster spot.

Notable cuts: Greg Mabin

Safety (5)

DJ Reed
Jaquiski Tartt
Jimmie Ward
Marcell Harris
Tarvarius Moore

Reed snags Colbert’s spot since he can play special teams, safety, slot corner and outside corner. Colbert, the former seventh-round pick, had a rough game against Dallas and may find it increasingly difficult to carve out a roster spot. He may have a great final three weeks and wind up winning a starting job, but for now he’s on the wrong side of the roster bubble.

Notable cuts: Antone Exum Jr., Adrian Colbert

Linebacker (5)

Fred Warner
Kwon Alexander
Elijah Lee
David Mayo
Dre Greenlaw

Malcolm Smith’s hamstring started bothering him and pushed him to the outside of the roster bubble, especially after how good Greenlaw looked against Dallas. Mark Nzeocha is another casualty of some number tweaking elsewhere, but the 49ers should have enough special teams players to make up for his loss.

Notable cuts: Malcolm Smith, Mark Nzeocha

Defensive line (10)

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

DeForest Buckner
Dee Ford
Arik Armstead
Nick Bosa
Solomon Thomas
Sheldon Day
DJ Jones
Ronald Blair
Jullian Taylor
Kentavius Street

This is a deep group with some very talented players in it. That’s why Street found his way onto the roster after being left off the last projection. Damontre Moore played a ton of snaps against Dallas and made a couple nice plays, but there won’t be room for him on a loaded depth chart.

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’s commitment to the club with a four-year contract this offseason helped that spot from becoming an issue for the 49ers.

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