Is it too early for a 53-man roster projection? Positive.
But when there’s any crew within the NFL that may at present be projected with confidence, it’s the 49ers.
It is a rock-solid crew — a playoff roster — and there’s not a lot competition for roster spots. That’s a perk of getting actually good gamers: They’re not combating for jobs in coaching camp.
There are a number of spots on the perimeter — a few locations the place Kyle Shanahan and common supervisor John Lynch will really feel some consternation — however don’t go in search of guys to make the crew this preseason. The Niners know who the overwhelming majority of their guys are already.
And right here they're:
Quarterback [2]
Trey Lance
Nate Sudfeld
» Easy stuff to begin. It would finally show prudent to have Jimmy Garoppolo on the roster, however anticipate San Francisco to chop him later this month if a commerce doesn't bail them out.
Working Backs [5]
Elijah Mitchell
Jeff Wilson
Trey Sermon
Tyrion Davis-Value
Kyle Juszczyk [FB]
» No controversy right here, both. Mitchell will probably be in the principle possibility on first and second down, however I’d anticipate to see Sermon a lot this season, particularly on third down. The Ohio State product has been sturdy in camp, runs the read-option effectively, has considerably improved his move safety, and is an excellent receiver.
Wilson would be the backup and Davis-Value a particular teamer who might function on the finish of the season. This may be the most effective operating again core within the league.
In the meantime, Juszczyk is the fullback — all the time and without end.
Large Receiver [5]
Deebo Samuel
Brandon Aiyuk
Jauan Jennings
Ray-Ray McCloud
Danny Grey
Somebody can declare the sixth spot in camp, however at this juncture, I don’t suppose the Niners have sene sufficient from Malik Turner, KeeSean Johnson, Marcus Johnson or the lately signed Willie Snead, who has a greater likelihood than the remaining.
McCloud goes to be the crew’s high returner for each kicks and punts. He’s additionally been glorious in camp. Grey, a third-round choose, has carried out sufficient to not make the Niners maintain their nostril once they put him on the ultimate 53.
Samuel and Aiyuk may be the most effective 1-2 within the NFL this season, and Jennings, regardless of a great deal of drops in coaching camp, continues to be the crew’s go-to possibility on third down.
Tight Finish [3]
George Kittle
Charlie Woerner
Ross Dwelley
» Woerner isn’t working towards, however he's anticipated to be again within the fold for the common season. Dwelley is the one combating for a roster spot. Each Tyler Kroft and Tanner Hudson have acquitted themselves effectively in camp, however they haven’t flashed sufficient and I don’t see the Niners carrying 4 tight ends.
Offensive Line [8]
Trent Williams
Aaron Banks
Jake Brendel
Spencer Burford
Mike McGlinchey
Colton McKivitz
Dan Brunskill
Jordan Mills
Quick-term IR:Jaylon Moore
» The Niners ought to function a wholly new center of the offensive line, with Banks, Brendel and Burford ranging from left to proper guard. The beginning tackles are established, however with McGlinchey’s harm, they’ll need additional backup. Mills has been actually spectacular in move safety after becoming a member of the crew midway via camp — I don’t suppose you'll be able to lower him except Moore is totally wholesome. (And even then…)
Brunskill hasn’t regarded worthy of being a starter, however you would do a complete lot worse for a backup in any respect 5 spots. McKivitz has been actually good in camp, so his making the crew is a simple choice.
Rookie Nick Zakelj seems destined to be lower and despatched to the follow squad. Jason Poe has flashed, however he’s a follow squad challenge. Maybe the Niners preserve guard Keaton Sutherland as a ninth lineman — he’s been stable, if unspectacular.
Don’t be stunned if the Niners scour the waiver wire on the finish of camp.
Defensive Line [11]
Nick Bosa
Arik Armstead
Javon Kinlaw
Samson Ebukam
Drake Jackson
Charles Omenihu
Kevin Givens
Kemoko Turay
Jordan Willis
Kerry Hyder
Alex Barnett
» The deepest and most spectacular unit on the crew, the Niners can and will carry 11 defensive linemen for the season. The highest eight gamers on this listing are locks. Willis is an effective particular groups participant who can take snaps in a pinch, I believe he’s on the crew. And the Niners like Hyder after his monster 2020, so regardless of a so-so camp, I believe he makes the lower, too.
The eleventh man is Alex Barnett must make the crew as a result of there's some query of depth on the inside of the road and he has flashed there, regardless of being a bit undersized. I simply can’t see the Niners’ slicing him proper now. He nonetheless has time to sow doubt or additional entrench himself.
I’m curious to see what the Niners do with Robert Nkemdiche, who has put some actually massive performs on tape however has been inconsistent in camp.
Linebackers [5]
Fred Warner
Azeez Al-Shaair
Dre Greenlaw
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Oren Burks
» That is an exceptionally easy place to select. The Niners’ high linebacking troika is without doubt one of the greatest within the NFL, if not the most effective. DFF and Burks are key particular groups gamers.
A fast be aware: I’ve preferred what I’ve seen from Curtis Robinson in coaching camp. The Niners may need some competitors to get him on the follow squad.
Cornerback [7]
Charvarius Ward
Emmanuel Moseley
Ambry Thomas
Deommodore Lenoir
Dontae Johnson
Darqueze Dennard
Samuel Womack
PUP: Jason Verrett
» The Niners may have a choice to make when Verrett comes off the PUP listing, however within the meantime, I believe they carry each Lenoir and Womack. Maybe Johnson is lower and introduced again if somebody is injured — the Niners have carried out that transfer earlier than.
Within the meantime, we’ll see loads of backups within the preseason, and that gives a participant like Tariq Castro-Fields an important alternative to wedge out any of the corners talked about above.
Security [4]
Jimmie Ward
Talanoa Hufanga
Tarvarius Moore
George Odum
» It actually couldn’t be extra easy. Johnson may be the fifth participant on this group, however the 4 are set, with Hufanga — who has been actually good in camp — to get the beginning at sturdy security.
Specialists [3]
Taybor Pepper
Mitch Wishnowsky
Robbie Gould
» They’re all operating unopposed. Simply don’t get injured, guys.