2017 Team Information (Needs)

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by NCommand:

I love ShanaLynch!

--- Update ---

Alright, so I had a FA plan coming in, so let's see if ShanaLynch followed a similar plan and where they are currently at. I noted some target free agents I wanted but the focus was really on the specific positions, scheme-fits and skill sets within these positions.

NC's 2017 Free Agent Targets --- Player Acquired:
QB Brian Hoyer --- Brian Hoyer --- SIGNED ACTUAL PLAYER
WILL Malcolm Smith --- Malcolm Smith --- SIGNED ACTUAL PLAYER
YWR Jeremy Kerley --- Jeremy Kerley --- SIGNED ACTUAL PLAYER
FB Patrick DiMarco/Kyle Juszczyk --- Kyle Juszczyk --- SIGNED ACTUAL PLAYER
LDE/5T Chris Jones (depth) --- Chris Jones --- SIGNED ACTUAL PLAYER
RB2 DuJuan Harris --- DuJuan Harris --- SIGNED ACTUAL PLAYER
RB1: LeGarrette Blount/Tim Hightower --- Tim Hightower & Kapri Bibbs --- SIGNED ACTUAL PLAYERS
C J.C. Tretter --- Jeremy Zuttah --- SIGNED LIKE-PLAYER
ZWR Kenny Britt/Terrelle Pryor --- Pierre Garcon --- SIGNED LIKE-PLAYER
XWR Ted Ginn Jr. (depth) --- Marquise Goodwin, DeAndre Carter & Aldrick Robinson --- SIGNED LIKE-PLAYERS
QB Ryan Nassib (depth) --- Matt Barkley --- SIGNED LIKE-PLAYER
MIKE/ST Nick Bellore (depth) --- Brock Coyle, Don Jones II & Dekota Watson --- SIGNED LIKE-PLAYERS
DE: Jared Odrick/Jacquies Smith --- Elvis Dumervil --- SIGNED LIKE-PLAYER
LG: Austin Pasztor --- Tim Barnes --- SIGNED LIKE-PLAYER
RG Andrew Tiller (depth) --- Brandon Fusco --- SIGNED LIKE-PLAYER
NT/1T Brandon Williams/Dontari Poe --- Earl Mitchell --- SIGNED SECOND TIER PLAYER
RCB A.J. Bouye (starter) --- Will Davis --- SIGNED THIRD TIER PLAYER

Additional acquisitions:
PK Robbie Gould (starter)
SCB K'Waun Williams (starter)
ILB Carl Bradford (depth)
TE Logan Paulsen (depth)
MIKE Jayson DiManche (depth)
T/G Garry Gilliam (starter/depth)

Free agent players we should consider if the price is right:
NT: Johnathan Hankins NYG 25 / Cam Thoma LAR 30
WILL/SAM/MIKE: Zach Brown BUF 27 / Gerald Hodges SF 26 / Rey Malaluga CIN 30
ZWR: Michael Floyd NE 27 / Rod Streater SF 29
ST Returner: ? (Patterson gone)

Overall:
So far, ShanaLynch have put themselves in great position for the draft via free agency. In free agency, on offense, they immediately addressed QB, FB, C, X, Y & ZWR's, TE depth and on defense, they addressed WILL, SCB & MIKE depth/ST and on special teams, a PK. They've made a total of 42 transactions to date. That's dropping 19 and acquiring 23. We can expect 10 draft picks and 10-15 more UDFA's.

What's next:
In free agency, we weren't able to get a dominant NT/1T in Brandon Williams or Dontari Poe but ShanaLynch were able to get a second tier player in Earl Mitchell. We also tried for some top CB's but lost out on A.J. Bouye. We could certainly attack the SAM with a player like Kevin Minter or at least add depth players like with Gerald Hodges & Sean Spence. On offense, it wouldn't hurt to grab a RB2 like DuJuan Harris (signed) but the draft is deep here too or maybe add some RG depth with Andrew Tiller or ZWR depth with our own Rod Streater.

All these free agency moves means with the #2 pick in the draft, we can now address QB, a true ZWR, CB, DL, ER, LB or S and add depth for OL & RB1 & RB2 later. And with a deep TE class, we could go that route too for two-TE sets (esp. if we can't get a true ZWR).

Draft Position Strengths: DL, ER, S, CB, TE, RB
Draft Position Weaknesses: QB, OL, LB

Well done ShanaLynch (and I know you aren't done!)

Holy crap this was fun to update and revisit. Throw in the draft on top of these original targeted free agent acquisitions and they covered every need save for FQB and ZWR and a young ER with first round talent. Hell, they actually attacked more than I had hoped for (i.e. got 3 more starters and more depth).

Job well done ShanaLynch!

One of the offshoots of such a well executed plan, is to note the age of the projected starters and overall, 53.

We now have an average team age of 26.

Clearly, one of the goals was to bring in many veterans who were lost in the 2015 'off season from hell.'

Naturally, the WCO is more cerebral and needs more experience. Therefore, the average age here is 27 now. And not one single player is expected to start as a rookie. Conversely, the defense is made up of talented youth and their average age is only 25 with as many as 5 starters being rookies.

What I found interesting is that we only have 10 total players 30 or older. But none of them should be affected by age...for instance, our three oldest players are Gould, Dumervil and Brooks. 1 is a kicker and the other 2 will play as specialists.

Another thing to note is that where we now have a veteran starter, we have youth behind them learning or youth starting with veteran depth behind them.

On offense, the 11 'starters' will now average 28 (goes up a full year) while the defense remains at 25. To me, this speaks directly to the offensive and defensive systems and what is needed to run both.

NC... please stop talking to yourself.

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:

NC... please stop talking to yourself.

Bwahaha

Yeah, must be the slow time of the year where I develop another persona since it's so dead in here.

PS: I was showing "the plan" for how we got here.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:

NC... please stop talking to yourself.

Bwahaha

Yeah, must be the slow time of the year where I develop another persona since it's so dead in here.

PS: I was showing "the plan" for how we got here.

I've seen pundits rate the 9er LBs tops in the NFL and the OL as the bottom...which is all BS as they haven't played together yet and have so many new pieces. No one can know how these groups will pan out, but I'd say the OL will be closer to middling and the LBs the same.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

I've seen pundits rate the 9er LBs tops in the NFL and the OL as the bottom...which is all BS as they haven't played together yet and have so many new pieces. No one can know how these groups will pan out, but I'd say the OL will be closer to middling and the LBs the same.

Yeah, it's a bit odd but tis the slow period. It's hard enough to figure out our own team strengths let alone comparing them to others right now.

Hey NCommand there is nothing wrong talking to yourself, I do it all the time, lol, only way you get the right answers, or so they say lol. Anyway, breakdown of the roster right now for me.

Quarterbacks:

Locks(2): Brian Hoyer($5.275M Cap Number, signed through 2018, $2.95M Base GTD, $8M dead money in 2017, $2M in 2018, no cap room saved if cut), C.J. Beathard($641,572 2017 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $176,572 dead money in 2017, $529,716 in 2018, $465K saved if cut)

Strong Bubble(1): Matt Barkley($1,918,750 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $300K dead money in 2017 & $250K in 2018, $1,418,750 saved if cut)

Longshot(1): Nick Mullens($465,666 Cap Number, signed through 2019, got $20K GTD, $2K SB, $18K Base, $18,666 dead money in 2017, $1,334 in 2018, $447K saved if cut)

Analysis: Hoyer and Beathard are the only locks to me, with Barkley being the likely third QB kept, but he will more than likely be the #2 QB, unless Beathard can unseat him, or he looks horrible, and is cut, which could mean we would sign another vet. Mullens is the longshot, but he has $18K GTD in his base salary, so he is likely destined for the practice squad.

Running Backs:

Locks(3): Carlos Hyde($1,171,443 Cap Number, signed through 2017, $249,396 dead money in 2017, $922,047 saved if cut)), Joe Williams($622,346 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $157,346 dead money in 2017, $472,038 in 2018, $465K saved if cut), Kyle Juszyzck($3.75M Cap Number, signed through 2020, $2M Base GTD, last 2 years are option years, $3.35M dead money in 2017, $3.75M in 2018, $400K saved if cut)

Strong Bubble(3): Tim Hightower($1.107M Cap Number, signed through 2017, $150K Base GTD, has a $100K Roster Bonus for making the Week 1 53 Man Roster, $332K dead money in 2017, $775K saved if cut), Kapri Bibbs($615K Cap Number, signed through 2017, no dead money if cut, $615K saved if cut), Matt Breida($466,666 Cap Numbers, signed through 2019, got $30K GTD, $5K SB, $25K Base, $26,666 dead money in 2017, $3,334 in 2018, $440K saved if cut)

Longshot(2): Raheem Mostert($615K Cap Number, signed through 2017, no dead money if cut, $615K saved if cut), Tyler McCloskey($466,666 Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $10K GTD, $5K SB, $5K Base, $6,666 dead money in 2017, $3,334 in 2018, $460K saved if cut)

Analysis: Hyde and Williams will be Shanahan's 1-2 punch, with Juscyzyk being a OW, or offensive weapon. Hightower has $150K GTD and a $100K roster bonus for making the week 1 53-man roster, Breida $25K GTD, while Bibbs has nothing guaranteed, but they did ship a 2018 4th rounder in order to get him here, even though the deal was more to trade up, John Lynch insisted on Bibbs being included. Mostert and McCloskey($5K GTD in base salary) are the longshot, with both having a shot at the practice squad. To me Breida makes the most sense as the more of a lock of the 3 strong bubble guys, I don't see him clearing waivers, while it comes down to Hightower or Bibbs, which comes down to Kyle's guy(Hightower) vs John's guy(Bibbs) in camp.

Wide Receivers:

Locks(5): Pierre Garcon($6.425M Cap Number, signed through 2021, $3.675M Base GTD, last 3 years are option years, $7.5M dead money in 2017, $9.6M in 2018, no cap room saved if cut), Marquise Goodwin($3.25M Cap Number, signed through 2018, $1.95M Base GTD, $3.25M dead money in 2017, $1.25M in 2018, no cap room saved if cut), Jeremy Kerley($2,016,666 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $1.1M Base GTD, $1,716,666 dead money in 2017, $1,133,334 in 2018, $300K saved if cut), Aldrick Robinson($1.8M Cap Number, signed through 2018, $200K Base GTD, $450K dead money in 2017, $150K in 2018, $1.35M saved if cut), Trent Taylor($515,486 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $50,486 dead money in 2017, $151,458 in 2018, $465K saved if cut)

Bubble(7): Bruce Ellington($808,607 Cap Number, signed through 2017, $118,607 dead money in 2017, $690K saved if cut), Aaron Burbridge($565,089 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $25,089 dead money in 2017, $50,178 in 2018, $540K saved if cut), Victor Bolden($467,666 Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $43K GTD, $8K SB, $35K Base, $37,666 dead money in 2017, $5,334 in 2018, $430K saved if cut), Kendrick Bourne($466,666 Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $25K GTD, $5K SB, $20K Base, $21,666 dead money in 2017, $3,334 in 2018, $445K saved if cut), B.J. Johnson III($465K Cap Number, signed through 2019, no dead money, $465K saved if cut), DeAndre Smelter($465K Cap Number, signed through 2017, no dead money, $465K saved if cut), DeAndre Carter($465K Cap Number, signed through 2018, no dead money, $465K saved if cut)

Analysis: Garcon, Goodwin, and Kerley will be the top 3 receivers, with Robinson being the #4 WR, and Taylor being the #5 WR and also Punt Returner. I have 7 players on the bubble, or basically fighting for one spot, if we keep 6. Of them, Bolden($35K GTD), and Bourne($20K) have guaranteed money in their deals. The likely front runner appears to be Johnson, as he was signed after a tryout, in which the 49ers cut UDFA KD Cannon, who got $40K GTD in his base salary. While Carter was brought in before the 49ers have either John Lynch or Kyle Shanahan hired, but after Baalke was fired, so I'm not sure what odds he has. While Ellington, Smelter, and Burbridge have the longest odds since they were brought in under former GM Trent Baalke. If none of these 7 can separate themselves from the rest, then I see them not keeping a 6th WR.

Tight Ends:

Locks(2): George Kittle($539,574 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $74,574 dead money in 2017, $223,722 in 2018, $465K saved if cut), Logan Paulsen($1M Cap Number, signed through 2017, $125K dead money in 2017, $875K saved if cut)

Strong Bubble(3): Vance McDonald($4,165,625 Cap Number, signed through 2021, $2.1M Base GTD, $3.65M dead money in 2017, $4.2M in 2018, $515,625 saved if cut), Garrett Celek($2.575M Cap Number, signed through 2019, $1M Base GTD, $1.675M dead money in 2017, $1.25M in 2018, $900K saved if cut), Cole Hikutini($468,333 Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $110K GTD, $10K SB, $100K Base, $103,333 dead money in 2017, $6,667 in 2018, $365K saved if cut)

Bubble(1): Blake Bell($741,283 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $126,283 dead money in 2017 & 2018, $615K saved if cut)

Analysis: To me Kittle and Paulsen are locks, Kittle has looked like he will be the teams #1 TE, while Paulsen knows Shanahan's offense, and was signed in the first week of free agency, and you don't cut players that were signed so soon, unless they do something dumb off the field. McDonald has his entire base salary GTD this season, plus 2018 and 2019 have guarantees on April 1 of each year, which could make it near impossible to deal him. Celek has $1M GTD, but Shanahan has said he likes Celek, so he has a legit shot of making the final 53, Hikutini has $100K GTD, while Bell has nothing left GTD. To me, Hikutini makes the most sense, he has so much potential, plus he won't clear waivers to get to the practice squad.

Centers:

Locks(2): Jeremy Zuttah($3.5M Cap Number, signed through 2018, no dead money if cut, $3.5M saved if cut), Daniel Kilgore($1.7M Cap Number, signed through 2017, $387,500 dead money in 2017, $1,1,312,500 saved if cut)

Bubble(1): Tim Barnes($795K Cap Number, signed through 2017, $20K dead money in 2017, $775K saved if cut)

Analysis: Zuttah was brought in this offseason from Baltimore by swapping 6th round picks, and Kilgore is entering the final year of his deal, and he can also play inside at Guard, so to me both make the team, unless Tim Barnes, who got only a $20K bonus, is on the bubble, but he could be brought back after week 1 when he won't have his entire base salary guaranteed.

Offensive Guards:

Locks(2): Zane Beadles($4,033,333 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $500K Base GTD, $1,283,333 dead money in 2017, $583,334 in 2018, $2.75M saved if cut), Joshua Garnett($2,114,616 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $872,293 Base GTD, $3,410,462 dead money in 2017, $2,483,386 in 2018, no cap room saved if cut)

Strong Bubble(1): Brandon Fusco($1.4M Cap Number, signed through 2017, $100K dead money in 2017, $1.3M saved if cut)

Longshot(3): Richard Levy($465K Cap Number, signed through 2019, no dead money if cut, $465K saved if cut), Erik Magnuson($466,333 Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $14K GTD, $4K SB, $10K Base, $11,333 dead money in 2017, $2,667 in 2018, $455K saved if cut), John Flynn($466,666 Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $5K SB, $1,666 dead money in 2017, $3,334 in 2018, $465K saved if cut)

Analysis: Beadles and Garnett are, to me, the best option at LG and RG, respectively, while Fusco is a strong bubble, but he isn't a lock to me, he did get a $100K bonus, with $300K in LTBE incentives, but he needs to win a spot. While Levy and Flynn have no GTD money, while Magnuson has $10K GTD in his base salary, so I expect Magnuson to be on the teams practice squad.

Offensive Tackles:

Locks(3): Joe Staley($11,056,250 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $2.4M dead money in 2017, $4.4M in 2018, $8,656,250 saved if cut), Trent Brown($628,973 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $13,973 dead money in 2017 & 2018, $615K saved if cut), Garry Gilliam($2,162,500 Cap Number, signed through 2017, $750K Base GTD, $1.25M dead money in 2017, $912,500 saved if cut)

Bubble(1): John Theus($604,403 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $64,403 dead money in 2017, $128,806 in 2018, $540K saved if cut)

Longshot(3): Darrell Williams($466,666 Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $10K GTD, $5K SB, $5K Base, $6,666 dead money in 2017, $3,334 in 2018, $460K saved if cut), Norman Price($465K Cap Number, signed through 2018, no dead money, $465K saved if cut), Andrew Lauderdale($465K Cap Number, signed through 2018, no dead money, $465K saved if cut)

Analysis: Staley, Brown, and Gilliam are locks, and may be the only Tackles kept, I've seen some say Gilliam won't make it, but I don't see that as realistic, he signed a 1yr deal worth $2.2M, with $1.25M of that fully GTD at signing, so it makes no sense to cut Gilliam, plus they offered him a multi year deal, which he turned down to take the 1-year deal to likely hit free agency in 2018. Theus is the most likely player to be kept on the 53 man if they keep a 4th Tackle. Williams has a $5K GTD in his base salary, while Price and Lauderdale have no guaranteed money.

Defensive Lineman:

Locks(6): Solomon Thomas($5,118,978 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $465K Base GTD, $14,192,448 dead money in 2017, $13,961,934 in 2018, no cap room saved if cut), DeForest Buckner($4,134,316 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $540K Base GTD, $9,168,631 dead money in 2017, $5,714,906 in 2018, no cap room saved if cut), Earl Mitchell($2,921,875 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $1.65M Base GTD, $2.5M dead money in 2017, $2.25M in 2018, $421,875 saved if cut), D.J. Jones($501,967 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $36,967 dead money in 2017, $110,901 in 2018, $465K saved if cut), Elvis Dumervill($3.375M Cap Number, signed through 2018, $500K Base GTD, 2018 is a team option, $1.25M dead money in 2017, $750K in 2018, $2.125M saved if cut), Arik Armstead($2,684,353 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $1,329,784 Base GTD, $4,461,529 dead money in 2017, $1,354,589 in 2018, no cap room saved if cut)

Strong Bubble(5): Ronald Blair($607,602 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $67,602 dead money in 2017, $135,204 in 2018, $540K saved if cut), Chris Jones($665K Cap Number, signed through 2017, $50K dead money in 2017, $615K saved if cut), Quinton Dial($2,756,750 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $1.4M Base GTD, $2,308,750 dead money in 2017, $1,613,500 in 2018, $450K saved if cut), Aaron Lynch($1,846,500 Cap Number, signed through 2017, $49,500 dead money in 2017, $1.797M saved if cut), Tank Carradine($1,978,125 Cap Number, signed through 2017, $1M Base GTD, $1.675M dead money in 2017, $303,125 saved if cut)

Bubble(1): Pita Taumoepenu($501,364 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $36,364 dead money in 2017, $109,092 in 2018, $465K saved if cut)

Longshot(1): Noble Nwachukwu($468,333 Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $30K GTD, $10K SB, $20K Base, $23,333 dead money in 2017, $6,667 in 2018, $445K saved if cut)

Analysis: Thomas, Buckner, and Armstead are all 1st-round picks, in back to back to back years, while Mitchell was John Lynch's guy at the NT spot in the team's new 4-3 Under defense, while Dumervil is a great get on a 2-year deal, worth $8M, with $1.5M fully GTD, and Jones is the only true NT behind Mitchell. Blair, Jones, Dial, Lynch, and Carradine are the 5 guys fighting for what appears to be 2 spots, 3 max, with Blair, and Jones battling at the DT spot, Dial is probably a better fit at the DT spot instead of the NT spot, Lynch is competing at the LEO spot, but with Dumervil, and Armstead slated at that spot, and if he doesn't get or stay in shape, he could be on the outside looking in, while Carradine got the big End reps while Thomas was away due to an NFL rule, and he has $1M GTD, but looks like more of a longshot, as Armstead can also play that spot, as well as Buckner. Taumoepenu is a darkhorse, while Nwachukwu is likely destined for the practice squad, as he has $20K GTD in his base salary.

Linebackers:

Locks(5): Malcolm Smith($3,684,375 Cap Number, signed through 2021, $2M Base GTD, last 2 years are option years, $3.7M dead money in 2017, $7.85M in 2018, no cap room saved if cut), Reuben Foster($1,642,830 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $465K base GTD, $4,482,954 dead money in 2017, $3,533,490 in 2018, no cap room saved if cut), Dekoda Watson($1,533,333 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $333,333 dead money in 2017, $666,667 in 2018, $1.2M saved if cut), NaVorro Bowman($9,591,500 Cap Number, signed through 2022, $2.65M Base GTD, $5.254M dead money in 2017, $8.224M in 2018, $4,337,500 saved if cut), Brock Coyle($1.45M Cap Number, signed through 2017, $450K dead money in 2017, $1M saved if cut)

Strong Bubble(3): Ray-Ray Armstrong($1,341,666 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $850K Base GTD, $1,116,666 dead money in 2017, $166,668 in 2018, $225,500 saved if cut), Eli Harold($823,343 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $189,343 dead money in 2017, $174,343 in 2018, $634K saved if cut), Ahmad Brooks($6,148,750 Cap Number, signed through 2017, $948,750 dead money in 2017, $5.2M saved if cut)

Longshot(2): Jimmie Gilbert($469K Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $62K GTD, $12K SB, $50K Base, $54K dead money in 2017, $8K in 2018, $415K saved if cut), Donavin Newsom($466,666 Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $30K GTD, $5K SB, $25K Base, $26,666 dead money in 2017, $3,334 in 2018, $440K saved if cut)

Analysis: I have 5 locks, Smith starts at the WILL spot, while Bowman is the MIKE linebacker, Foster backups both Smith and Bowman if healthy, while Watson(SAM) and Coyle(MIKE) know Robert Saleh's defense, while both will also be key special teams players. Armstrong has $850K GTD, and likely fits the WILL and MIKE spots, while Harold and Brooks fit in the SAM linebacker spot, with Brooks having the edge right now, as he got most of the first team snaps at the SAM backer. Gilbert($50K GTD) and Newsom($25K GTD) are longshots, and destined for the practice squad.

Cornerbacks:

Locks(4): Rashard Robinson($635,848 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $95,848 dead money in 2017, $191,696 in 2018, $540K saved if cut), Ahkello Witherspoon($708,393 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $243,393 dead money in 2017, $730,179 in 2018, $465K saved if cut), K'Wuan Williams($690K Cap Number, signed through 2017, has a $75K Roster Bonus for making the Week 1 53 Man Roster, $75K dead money in 2017, $615K saved if cut), Will Redmond($834,019 Cap Number, signed through 2019, $243,139 dead money in 2017, $438,278 in 2018, $590,880 saved if cut)

Strong Bubble(2): Dontae Johnson($790,136 Cap Number, signed through 2017, $100,136 dead money in 2017, $690K saved if cut), Keith Reaser($731,200 Cap Number, signed through 2017, $41,200 dead money in 2017, $690K saved if cut)

Bubble(1): Will Davis($615K Cap Number, signed through 2017, no dead money, $615K saved if cut)

Longshot(2): Prince Charles Iworah($465K Cap Number, signed through 2017, no dead money, $465K saved if cut), Zach Franklin($465K Cap Number, signed through 2019, no dead money, $465K saved if cut)

Analysis: I have 4 locks right now, with Robinson, Witherspoon and Williams as the starters, with Williams being the starting Slot CB, and the other two on the outside, with Redmond as a backup to Williams. Johnson and Reaser will battle for a backup spot behind Robinson and Witherspoon, I can see both making it, meaning they would carry 6 CBs. It seems Reaser has the upper hand, as he got first team reps opposite Robinson, while Johnson to me has the most potential, and wasn't used under former head coaches Jim Tomsula, and Chip Kelly, after having a good rookie season. Will Davis is more than likely going gonna be cut, but could be brought back after week 1 when only 25% of his salary would be guaranteed. Franklin and Iworah are longshots, with one likely making the practice squad.

Safeties:

Locks(4): Jimmie Ward($2,262,077 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $895,687 dead money in 2017, $1,367,390 saved if cut, $8.526M 2018 team option is GTD for injury now, and fully on first day of the 2018 new league year), Don Jones($981,250 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $500K Base GTD, $625K dead money in 2017, $125K in 2018, $356,250 saved if cut), Eric Reid($5.676M Cap Number, signed through 2017, $5.676M Base GTD, $5.676M dead money in 2017, no cap room saved if cut), Jaquiski Tartt($1,373,731 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $580,821 dead money in 2017, $480,821 in 2018, $792,910 saved if cut)

Strong Bubble(1): Lorenzo Jerome($467,833 Cap Number, signed through 2019, Got $16K GTD, $7,500 SB, $8,500 Base, $10,333 dead money in 2017, $5,667 in 2018, $457K saved if cut)

Bubble(1): Adrian Colbert($486,200 Cap Number, signed through 2020, $21,200 dead money in 2017, $63,500 in 2018, $465K saved if cut)

Longshot(2): Vinnie Sunseri($465K Cap Number, signed through 2017, no dead money, $465K saved if cut), Chanceller James($465K Cap Number, signed through 2019, no dead money, $465K saved if cut)

Analysis: I have 4 locks, with Ward at FS, Reid at SS, Jones as a backup FS and key special teamer, and Tartt being a former 2nd round pick is a lock for now, but I can see him losing his spot if he doesn't play well, as he didn't get many reps this offseason. Jerome is the most likely to make the team, he has $8,500 GTD in his base salary, has been praised by GM John Lynch, who definitely knows the safety spot, being one of the best Safeties of his time, plus Jerome has the ability to play in the nickel as a slot CB. Colbert is a guy I see being cut, but he could surprise, and beat someone out, as he can also play CB in addition to Safety. While Sunseri and James are more longshots. I view one of James, Sunseri, and Colbert making the practice squad, with Colbert having the advantage, as he was the team's 7th round pick this offseason.

Specialists:

Locks(3): Robbie Gould($1.75M Cap Number, signed through 2018, $500K Base GTD, $750K dead money in 2017, $250K in 2018, $1M saved if cut), Bradley Pinion($663,550 Cap Number, signed through 2018, $48,550 dead money in 2017 & 2018, $615K saved if cut), Kyle Nelson($1.15M Cap Number, signed through 2018, $175K dead money in 2017, $125K in 2018, $975K saved if cut)

Longshot(1): Nick Rose($465K Cap Number, signed through 2018, no dead money, $465K saved if cut)

Analysis: Pretty straight forward, no surprises here, Gould, Pinion, and Nelson are the 3 that should, and likely will make it, with Rose being just a camp leg to give the veteran Gould some rest.

Summary:

Locks- 41 Players

Strong Bubble- 19 Players

Bubble- 13 Players

Longshot- 17 Players

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
(snipped)
Tight Ends:

Locks(2): George Kittle, Logan Paulsen
Strong Bubble(3): Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Cole Hikutini
Bubble(1): Blake Bell

Analysis: To me Kittle and Paulsen are locks, Kittle has looked like he will be the teams #1 TE, while Paulsen knows Shanahan's offense, and was signed in the first week of free agency, and you don't cut players that were signed so soon, unless they do something dumb off the field. McDonald has his entire base salary GTD this season, plus 2018 and 2019 have guarantees on April 1 of each year, which could make it near impossible to deal him. Celek has $1M GTD, but Shanahan has said he likes Celek, so he has a legit shot of making the final 53, Hikutini has $100K GTD, while Bell has nothing left GTD. To me, Hikutini makes the most sense, he has so much potential, plus he won't clear waivers to get to the practice squad.

Agree with all of this. I have a question about the TEs. What is the penalty for cutting Logan Paulsen? I can see a scenario where they want to keep potential: Vance, Kittles, Hikutini. Paulsen gets cut and can be re-signed if there are injuries, assuming he isn't signed by another team. He got a 1 year deal which makes me think he didn't have a lot of suitors during FA'cy.
I might be overrating Hikutini. I read he has a lot of work to do on his blocking. Paulsen is a nice vet, but I feel as though he is the most easily replaced and has little upside at this point in his career. Can't let potential like Hikutini go. I don't see them keeping 4 TEs unless one of them can contribute on STs.

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
(snipped)
Tight Ends:

Locks(2): George Kittle, Logan Paulsen
Strong Bubble(3): Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Cole Hikutini
Bubble(1): Blake Bell

Analysis: To me Kittle and Paulsen are locks, Kittle has looked like he will be the teams #1 TE, while Paulsen knows Shanahan's offense, and was signed in the first week of free agency, and you don't cut players that were signed so soon, unless they do something dumb off the field. McDonald has his entire base salary GTD this season, plus 2018 and 2019 have guarantees on April 1 of each year, which could make it near impossible to deal him. Celek has $1M GTD, but Shanahan has said he likes Celek, so he has a legit shot of making the final 53, Hikutini has $100K GTD, while Bell has nothing left GTD. To me, Hikutini makes the most sense, he has so much potential, plus he won't clear waivers to get to the practice squad.

Agree with all of this. I have a question about the TEs. What is the penalty for cutting Logan Paulsen? I can see a scenario where they want to keep potential: Vance, Kittles, Hikutini. Paulsen gets cut and can be re-signed if there are injuries, assuming he isn't signed by another team. He got a 1 year deal which makes me think he didn't have a lot of suitors during FA'cy.
I might be overrating Hikutini. I read he has a lot of work to do on his blocking. Paulsen is a nice vet, but I feel as though he is the most easily replaced and has little upside at this point in his career. Can't let potential like Hikutini go. I don't see them keeping 4 TEs unless one of them can contribute on STs.

Only $125K dead money

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

(snipped)
Tight Ends:

Locks(2): George Kittle, Logan Paulsen
Strong Bubble(3): Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Cole Hikutini
Bubble(1): Blake Bell

Analysis: To me Kittle and Paulsen are locks, Kittle has looked like he will be the teams #1 TE, while Paulsen knows Shanahan's offense, and was signed in the first week of free agency, and you don't cut players that were signed so soon, unless they do something dumb off the field. McDonald has his entire base salary GTD this season, plus 2018 and 2019 have guarantees on April 1 of each year, which could make it near impossible to deal him. Celek has $1M GTD, but Shanahan has said he likes Celek, so he has a legit shot of making the final 53, Hikutini has $100K GTD, while Bell has nothing left GTD. To me, Hikutini makes the most sense, he has so much potential, plus he won't clear waivers to get to the practice squad.

Agree with all of this. I have a question about the TEs. What is the penalty for cutting Logan Paulsen? I can see a scenario where they want to keep potential: Vance, Kittles, Hikutini. Paulsen gets cut and can be re-signed if there are injuries, assuming he isn't signed by another team. He got a 1 year deal which makes me think he didn't have a lot of suitors during FA'cy.
I might be overrating Hikutini. I read he has a lot of work to do on his blocking. Paulsen is a nice vet, but I feel as though he is the most easily replaced and has little upside at this point in his career. Can't let potential like Hikutini go. I don't see them keeping 4 TEs unless one of them can contribute on STs.

THAT is an excellent point. I had considered the same. You have two good and willing blockers in Vance and Kittles like Paulsen but the aforementioned can give you explosion in the passing game too, something Paulsen can't. Paulsen is like our Celek.

The key will be both Vance and Kittles getting up to Paulsens level of experience in blocking within this scheme.

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

Only $125K dead money

Well...in that case...

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

Hey NCommand there is nothing wrong talking to yourself, I do it all the time, lol, only way you get the right answers, or so they say lol. Anyway, breakdown of the roster right now for me.

Ha, you're onto something there.

Big thanks for this...you just gave me something legit to ponder over for my next 53 update! The cap numbers help a lot too.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
Hey NCommand there is nothing wrong talking to yourself, I do it all the time, lol, only way you get the right answers, or so they say lol. Anyway, breakdown of the roster right now for me.

Ha, you're onto something there.

Big thanks for this...you just gave me something legit to ponder over for my next 53 update! The cap numbers help a lot too.

We all do it...just a matter of training yourself so your lips don't move! If you aren't careful the nets come out and you have to run! Yikes!

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

Hey NCommand there is nothing wrong talking to yourself, I do it all the time, lol, only way you get the right answers, or so they say lol. Anyway, breakdown of the roster right now for me.

Ha, you're onto something there.

Big thanks for this...you just gave me something legit to ponder over for my next 53 update! The cap numbers help a lot too.

We all do it...just a matter of training yourself so your lips don't move! If you aren't careful the nets come out and you have to run! Yikes!

Yeah, those nets are not fun!

Wow some believe that D.J. Jones won't make the roster, I can't see him clearing waivers to be honest.

Oh, and updated my post with dead money and cap savings.

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

Wow some believe that D.J. Jones won't make the roster, I can't see him clearing waivers to be honest.

Oh, and updated my post with dead money and cap savings.

Yeah, there are some really odd 53's out there. I can understand differences in the final 5-6 spots for various reasons including special teams and contract considerations but man, there's some odd stuff out there.

Thanks AB.