53-Man Roster & Depth Chart(2020)

Originally posted by longterm9erfan:
This is pretty close to what I had....and I'd like to say first that the Zone is so lucky to have guys like AB, OTC, and NCommand putting out such great posts...

OK...the only issues I have with this roster are (and I admit I'm being nitpicky)...

I think LB Al-Shaair makes the final roster and maybe even Jonas Griffith. I like Joe Walker too. Those guys are great athletes and will probably excel on Special Teams...I also really doubt that Al-Shaair would clear waivers to go on the PS. Also not sure Nzoecha makes the final cut. Man, with their starters, the Niners have some really good, young LBs

From what I have heard, the Niners like CB Tim Harris quite a bit and he has now had a full year in their system. Not sure Acy, although talented, takes Harris' spot on the roster. I could see Acy on the practice squad though... I'm also not sure the Niners give up on Marcell Harris either, especially in favor of an UDFA...

Justin Skule will never clear waivers....lots of good film on him on there and a lot of NFL teams have lousy OLs...

Of course, injuries will dictate a lot of moves this year as always...players that might surprise include WRs Bourne and Hurd, DLmen Thomas, Street, and Givens, P Wishnowsky, and S Moore... I think most, if not all, take their games to the next level this season.. Would love your feedback on this AB...when you get a chance...

Feels great, baby!!

I hear ya, I like Al-Shaair more than Nzeocha, just something tells me Kyle will keep Nzeocha don't know why. Same thing says 3 QBs happen despite my roster not having 3.

Skule I agree with, I hope Compton gets beat out by Skule and McKivitz.

Love Joe Walker, started 11 games for ARZ, I think he's a lock, could see Jonas Griffith, but tough to see many, if any UDFAs. Agree on Harris vs Acy, could go either way.

I like Jared Mayden as the 4th S due to his ability to play FS, SS< and even CB, would be a great find by John and Company.

Great problems to have, can't wait for games to begin, f Covid-19, I want sports back, but understand the steps we need to take, would be fine with stadiums empty with sports, anything is better than watching reruns or politics all day.

Originally posted by 49ers81:
It's pretty amusing how many of these roster projections have UDFA's taking the place of established players on the final 53. I highly doubt that Bourne and Taylor are going anywhere. Hasty has to beat out Wilson to even have a shot. Acy has to beat out Witherspoon, Harris, or Reed. Finke has to beat out, James, or Pettis, or Jennings, who also has to beat put Pettis and James. All of these expectations for guys I am betting that most of the people posting in this forum have never seen play. I know that the Niner's have had more success with UDFA's than almost any other team in the league but Lynch has already gone on record as saying one of the reasons he didn't mind not having many picks this year was because he and Kyle liked the team they had and that anyone picked up in the later rounds was going to have a hard time making the cut so he was content with picking up a few guys that they thought could be difference makers but somehow, all of these UDFA's are gong to make it. Honestly, I am surprised that no one has listed Broc Rutter as the starting QB yet.

No way Bourne is cut, he's the clear #2 or Slot WR right now, Aiyuk will be the #3 to begin, but shortly will take over as the #2 or even #1, good to have Deebo and Aiyuk.

Agree on not many UDFAs making it, it's nice and shiny toys, but I have 2, 1 being the 6th CB, and 1 being the 4th S only due to versatility. I can see just the 5 draft picks being on the 53, with whoever else from the PS, however that works, can't find one insider to tell me how it works, no one seems to know, should have made it 55 out of camp, and 12 PSquaders, not 53 and then 12 but 2 can come onto the active roster, so confusing.

Originally posted by Midbay:
Interestingly, it looks like backup QBs could be the most impacted group here. If teams are less likely to keep 3 QBs on their 53 because they can elevate a P.S. guy as an emergency option, it doesn't leave a lot of demand for players like Beathard on the 53 man rosters. It really creates a problem for those "veteran" backup QBs who aren't eligible for the practice squad (3rd string QBs have different P.S. eligibility rules as I just learned). I think Beathard is eligible for the P.S. and if that is true, we might actually see him there due to decreased demand for 3rd string QBs on the 53!

Maybe not. It depends on if the clause of between 2-4 veterans with any amount of accrued play time is for the new 12 man PS in 2020-21, or if that doesn't start until they are 14 man PS in 2022.

"Practice squads expanded from 10 to 12 players in 2020-2021, then to 14 players starting in 2022 (including between two and four players with unlimited accrued seasons per team)"

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfls-new-cba-explained-heres-a-look-at-all-the-season-roster-and-salary-changes/

So expect zero teams to have a 3rd QB on their 53 starting either this year or in 2022 when they can have a vet 3rd QB on their PS and elevate him to the roster without needing to waive him every week. I'm just unsure how to read that statement - does it apply to 2020-21 and 2022+, or just 2022+?

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
I hear ya, I like Al-Shaair more than Nzeocha, just something tells me Kyle will keep Nzeocha don't know why. Same thing says 3 QBs happen despite my roster not having 3.

Skule I agree with, I hope Compton gets beat out by Skule and McKivitz.

Love Joe Walker, started 11 games for ARZ, I think he's a lock, could see Jonas Griffith, but tough to see many, if any UDFAs. Agree on Harris vs Acy, could go either way.

I like Jared Mayden as the 4th S due to his ability to play FS, SS< and even CB, would be a great find by John and Company.

Great problems to have, can't wait for games to begin, f Covid-19, I want sports back, but understand the steps we need to take, would be fine with stadiums empty with sports, anything is better than watching reruns or politics all day.

Hey AB....just wanted to thank you for responding to my post...seems like we are on the same page... I did not know that Mayden is so versatile so I agree, that would be a great find if he can translate talent into good play as a rookie...

Now....I know the team has lost some really good players this off-season (every SB team does) but man...with most of the injured guys from last year coming back and the off-season additions, this roster is stacked! I'm excited for the season to begin too...

Feels great, baby....

Originally posted by longterm9erfan:

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
I hear ya, I like Al-Shaair more than Nzeocha, just something tells me Kyle will keep Nzeocha don't know why. Same thing says 3 QBs happen despite my roster not having 3.

Skule I agree with, I hope Compton gets beat out by Skule and McKivitz.

Love Joe Walker, started 11 games for ARZ, I think he's a lock, could see Jonas Griffith, but tough to see many, if any UDFAs. Agree on Harris vs Acy, could go either way.

I like Jared Mayden as the 4th S due to his ability to play FS, SS< and even CB, would be a great find by John and Company.

Great problems to have, can't wait for games to begin, f Covid-19, I want sports back, but understand the steps we need to take, would be fine with stadiums empty with sports, anything is better than watching reruns or politics all day.

Hey AB....just wanted to thank you for responding to my post...seems like we are on the same page... I did not know that Mayden is so versatile so I agree, that would be a great find if he can translate talent into good play as a rookie...

Now....I know the team has lost some really good players this off-season (every SB team does) but man...with most of the injured guys from last year coming back and the off-season additions, this roster is stacked! I'm excited for the season to begin too...

Feels great, baby....

Yep, either way Mayden is a PSquader IMO, so we can develop him, even if Harris makes the 53.

Does feel great to have these problems, just want football back, and sports in general.

Originally posted by captveg:

Maybe not. It depends on if the clause of between 2-4 veterans with any amount of accrued play time is for the new 12 man PS in 2020-21, or if that doesn't start until they are 14 man PS in 2022.

"Practice squads expanded from 10 to 12 players in 2020-2021, then to 14 players starting in 2022 (including between two and four players with unlimited accrued seasons per team)"

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfls-new-cba-explained-heres-a-look-at-all-the-season-roster-and-salary-changes/

So expect zero teams to have a 3rd QB on their 53 starting either this year or in 2022 when they can have a vet 3rd QB on their PS and elevate him to the roster without needing to waive him every week. I'm just unsure how to read that statement - does it apply to 2020-21 and 2022+, or just 2022+?

Vet qbs aren't eligible for practice squad. Has to be a young guy who hasn't been active very much if at all.

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by captveg:
Maybe not. It depends on if the clause of between 2-4 veterans with any amount of accrued play time is for the new 12 man PS in 2020-21, or if that doesn't start until they are 14 man PS in 2022.

"Practice squads expanded from 10 to 12 players in 2020-2021, then to 14 players starting in 2022 (including between two and four players with unlimited accrued seasons per team)"

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfls-new-cba-explained-heres-a-look-at-all-the-season-roster-and-salary-changes/

So expect zero teams to have a 3rd QB on their 53 starting either this year or in 2022 when they can have a vet 3rd QB on their PS and elevate him to the roster without needing to waive him every week. I'm just unsure how to read that statement - does it apply to 2020-21 and 2022+, or just 2022+?

Vet qbs aren't eligible for practice squad. Has to be a young guy who hasn't been active very much if at all.

Maybe. Depends on if the "unlimited accrued seasons" refers to just accrued on the PS or in the NFL in general. Again, the language the NFL released to the press is a little vague about exactly what the context of "unlimited accrued seasons" is.

Originally posted by DaBeegDeek:
Deebo
Bourne
Aiyuk
Hurd
Pettis

How I see it at the moment. The top 3 are locks obviously, I think Hurd has a lot of talent and was primed to contribute last year had he not been injured. Pettis was garbage, but he was a high pick and I would like to think he comes back motivated and maybe he found his nuts.

I know we want Taylor to be the next Cole Beasley or something but the dude is just too injury prone and I don't believe he's THAT talented.

Jennings might be a wildcard, but as of now he's a slow 7th round pick. Looking forward to him being baby T.O. if he can put it together.

I think they carry 6 WR. Why is there no love Richie James Jr?

Originally posted by sanjo49er:

Originally posted by DaBeegDeek:
Deebo
Bourne
Aiyuk
Hurd
Pettis

How I see it at the moment. The top 3 are locks obviously, I think Hurd has a lot of talent and was primed to contribute last year had he not been injured. Pettis was garbage, but he was a high pick and I would like to think he comes back motivated and maybe he found his nuts.

I know we want Taylor to be the next Cole Beasley or something but the dude is just too injury prone and I don't believe he's THAT talented.

Jennings might be a wildcard, but as of now he's a slow 7th round pick. Looking forward to him being baby T.O. if he can put it together.

I think they carry 6 WR. Why is there no love Richie James Jr?

7

Originally posted by sanjo49er:

Originally posted by DaBeegDeek:
Deebo
Bourne
Aiyuk
Hurd
Pettis

How I see it at the moment. The top 3 are locks obviously, I think Hurd has a lot of talent and was primed to contribute last year had he not been injured. Pettis was garbage, but he was a high pick and I would like to think he comes back motivated and maybe he found his nuts.

I know we want Taylor to be the next Cole Beasley or something but the dude is just too injury prone and I don't believe he's THAT talented.

Jennings might be a wildcard, but as of now he's a slow 7th round pick. Looking forward to him being baby T.O. if he can put it together.

I think they carry 6 WR. Why is there no love Richie James Jr?

Because during a season where Shanahan was practically begging the receivers to step up and earn his trust and playing time only Samuel and Bourne answered the call. I think it is telling that with the opportunity being there for any one of the receivers to grab the bull by the horns and earn their reps James could still only manage to be a part time contributor. On top of which he is only okay as a returner. I mean he's not terrible or anything buts he's not going to make anyone forget Devin Hester.

As for the other poster. Taylor is going to make the team unless his foot is still an issue so nobody should pretend to be surprised when he does. I suspect it will be Samuel, Bourne, Hurd, Aiyuk, and Taylor for sure and then everyone else will be fighting it out for the last one or two spots depending on how many they end up keeping.

Trade WR1 Pretty Boy Pettis? Get outta here

Deebo
Aiyuk
Bourne
Pettis
Hurd
Taylor

1 less QB(2) and 1 extra WR(7)

Aiyuk
Deebo
KB
Pettis
Taylor
Hurd
Benjamin

PS:Jennings

Originally posted by NCommand:

Explaining the roster sizes and Practice Squad rules under the new CBA https://t.co/buFYFJycwz pic.twitter.com/ox5Xfsap5s

— Inside the 49 (@insidethe49) May 3, 2020

Great article, thanks. That clears up some things (though not everything).

The 2-times "free" limit of PS players being assigned as the 54th/55th roster player within a season is a big one:

"A team may only elevate a Practice Squad player for a "maximum combination of two regular-season or postseason games in the same League Year." If a team wants to elevate a player for the third time, then we go back to the system that was outlined under the previous CBA."