The San Francisco 49ers have just one preseason game remaining. That means players are running out of time to impress, as the roster has to be cut down to 53 players by next Sunday.
With a talented roster as the 49ers have, it’s not hard to predict who will get most of the spots. However, there are obviously some spots at the bottom that are still up for grabs.
So, how did the latest preseason game affect the projected roster? Today, let’s take a look.
Quarterback (3): Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, Kurtis Rourke
Kurtis Rourke still hasn’t been back on the field, but that doesn’t change the roster projection just yet. Rourke has been impressive when on the field, and it seems like the 49ers don’t want to lose him.
Running Back (4): Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, Jordan James, Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
This room now appears to be set. McCaffrey, Black, and James all missed time with injury, and nobody impressed in their absence.
Since the 49ers keep a fullback, is there really a need for a fourth running back anyway?
Wide Receiver (6): Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, De’Zhaun Stribling, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing
This is a hard group to pin down. We know Evans, Samuel, and Stribling will play large roles. Behind that trio, though, things could go several different ways.
Cowing is a guy who seemed destined to be cut just a week ago. However, his punt return score last week means he might have a return job locked up. Christian Kirk is the one on the outs here, as he’s been injured and doesn’t offer anything on special teams.
Tight End (3): George Kittle, Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell
This room has more clarity now that George Kittle is officially off the PUP list. Now, it seems pretty clear that Kittle, Tonges, and Farrell will be the tight ends. Bad news for Brayden Willis.
Offensive Line (9): Trent Williams, Carver Willis, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, Colton McKivitz, Vederian Lowe, Connor Colby, Austen Pleasants, Brett Toth
We’re going with a big change here. I have rookie Carver Willis taking the left guard spot, with Connor Colby being relegated to backup duty. Robert Jones has been bad this summer, so if he doesn’t win the starting job, it won’t be surprising to see him get cut.
Pleasants has been solid, and the team has even used him at guard, which is probably a good sign.
Edge Rusher (5): Nick Bosa, Keion White, Romello Height, Sam Okuayinonu, Ogbo Okoronkwo
PUP: Mykel Williams
The 49ers activated Kittle from the PUP list on Sunday, but didn’t do so with Mykel Williams. As a result, the young edge rusher will likely miss the first couple of games of the season.
Okoronkwo has had some nice reps this summer, so he gets Williams’ spot, at least temporarily.
Interior Defensive Line (5): Alfred Collins, Osa Odighizuwa, C.J. West, Gracen Halton, Bryson Eason
Alfred Collins has been extremely disappointing, but the 49ers probably aren’t going to give up on him just yet. It will be very tough to cut James Thompson Jr., but I don’t see him and Eason both making it.
Linebacker (5): Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Tatum Bethune, Jaden Dugger, Luke Gifford
It seems hard to imagine anybody breaking into this group. Warner and Greenlaw are the starters, while Bethune and Dugger have both been great this summer. Gifford is an elite special-teamer, so he’s safe.
Nick Martin seems to be the odd man out here. The 49ers recently added Deion Jones in a trade, but he’s likely just a camp body.
Cornerback (6): Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Upton Stout, Ephesians Prysock, Jack Jones, Darrell Luter Jr.
Assuming health, Lenoir, Green, and Stout will be the starters. Jones has been great this preseason, and Prysock looks even better than expected. Luter should get the final spot due to special teams.
Safety (4): Malik Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown, Marques Sigle, Siran Neal
This group could still go a few different ways. Mustapha should still be the favorite to start next to Brown, as Sigle has done nothing to take the job away. Ashtyn Davis has not been good enough to take away Neal’s spot.
