The San Francisco 49ers are just one day away from kicking off their first preseason contest.
The Tennessee Titans are in town this week for joint practices before facing off in Thursday's preseason opener. These joint practices are fun to watch because it's our first chance to see how the 49ers stack up against another team.
The preseason opener, of course, will tell us plenty as well. It's unlikely to see much, if any, from the starters, but the bubble players will be trying to show all they can. We did a 53-man roster prediction at the beginning of August, but let's do another ahead of Thursday's game.
Quarterback (2): Brock Purdy, Mac Jones
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I had Kurtis Rourke making the team in my last projection, but I don't know if that will happen now. Purdy and Jones form one of the best quarterback rooms in the league, and there are better uses for a roster spot than a third quarterback.
The 49ers would love to get Rourke on the practice squad considering Jones' time in San Francisco will probably come to an end after 2026.
Running Back (5): Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, Jordan James, Khalil Herbert, Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
McCaffrey, Black, James, and Juszczyk are all locks. Will the 49ers keep a fourth running back, though? I like what veteran Khalil Herbert has shown since being brought in earlier this month.
Herbert has starting experience and he can return kicks. With the running back room banged up, Herbert has a real chance to cement his place on the team.
Wide Receiver (6): Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson, Deebo Samuel, De’Zhaun Stribling, Christian Kirk, Jacob Cowing
This is a tough room to project. The 49ers threw a wrench in things when they listed Demarcus Robinson as a starter on the depth chart. Robinson was considered a bubble player before that point, but he's probably a roster lock.
Kirk has done nothing recently because he's been hurt, but he got a decent guarantee from the 49ers this offseason. Cowing earns the final spot due to his efforts on special teams.
Tight End (3): George Kittle, Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell
Nothing changes here. The 49ers keep a fullback, so it's hard to justify keeping a fourth tight end. George Kittle is obviously the biggest X-factor, and if he's healthy, the room will be in great shape.
Brayden Willis has had a nice summer, but it's hard to find a spot for him.
Offensive Line (9): Trent Williams, Robert Jones, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, Colton McKivitz, Vederian Lowe, Connor Colby, Carver Willis, Brett Toth
This is another group that's hard to peg down right now. In this prediction, I have rookie Enrique Cruz Jr. being bumped off. It's hard to imagine Toth being cut due to his versatility on the interior.
Lowe was brought in to be the swing tackle, but he has to hold off Austen Pleasants.
Edge Rusher (5): Mykel Williams, Nick Bosa, Romello Height, Sam Okuayinonu, Keion White
These five will make the team, the only question is whether or not the team will keep a sixth. If they do, I like veteran Ogbo Okoronkwo's chances.
For now, we'll roll with five edge rushers, and assuming this group stays healthy, it should be much better than it was a year ago.
Interior Defensive Line (5): Alfred Collins, Osa Odighizuwa, C.J. West, Gracen Halton, Bryson Eason
The top four are set here, and Eason's chances look much better now that veteran Kevin Givens has been released. Eason has earned praise from the coaching staff, which is another good sign.
The final spot will be between Eason and Sebastian Valdez.
Linebacker (5): Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Nick Martin, Jaden Dugger, Luke Gifford
This is another group where some tough decisions will have to be made. We know Warner and Greenlaw will be the starters, Dugger will make it as a rookie, and Gifford will make it due to special teams.
The team probably doesn't want to give up on Nick Martin yet. I have Tatum Bethune possibly being traded, but it could easily be Martin instead.
Cornerback (6): Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Upton Stout, Nate Hobbs, Ephesians Prysock, Jack Jones
All six of these corners have had good moments this summer. The team probably doesn't want to cut Prysock after just drafting him, but Darrell Luter Jr.'s special teams efforts could force their hand.
For now, I'll continue to give Prysock the final spot.
Safety (4): Malik Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown, Marques Sigle, Siran Neal
Mustapha, Brown, and Sigle are all making the team. The fourth spot is the one up for grabs, with Neal and Ashtyn Davis the main contributors.
If Davis doesn't win the starting job over Mustapha and Sigle, I can see him being cut. Neal is an elite special teamer, and I don't see any scenario where Luter and Neal are both cut.
Specialists (3): Eddy Pineiro, Jack Bouwmeester, Jon Weeks
Sticking with Bouwmeester to beat out Corliss Waitman until I have a reason not to.
