The Ultra-Perennial 49ers 53 Man Roster 2023 :)

Matt Maiocco's Pre Draft 53. While there are specific needs, Lynch/Shanahan have done a good job of going into the draft allowing them to pick best player available.

Quarterback (3): Trey Lance, Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold

Regardless of the to-be-determined order to open the season, the 49ers are virtually guaranteed to keep three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. These are the three.

Running back (4): Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Ty Davis-Price

Sure, the 49ers can add a veteran on a minimum salary or an undrafted rookie, but these are clearly the four backs who are ticketed for the regular-season roster.

Fullback (1): Kyle Juszczyk

Not-so-bold prediction for the upcoming season is that Juszczyk will be selected to his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl. No backup is required here.

Wide receiver (6): Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, Danny Gray, Tay Martin

The onus is on Gray to win a roster spot after he spent his rookie season learning the playbook and how to work as a professional. Martin appeared in two games after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent. There should be considerable competition for the last couple spots at receiver.

Tight end (3): George Kittle, Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley

The 49ers can be expected to keep a fourth tight end, as they have in the past. If the 49ers keep their late-third-round picks at Nos. 99, 101 and 102, it is reasonable that tight end would be one of the positions for them to target.

Offensive line (8): Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Spencer Burford, Colton McKivitz, Jaylon Moore, Jon Feliciano, Nick Zakelj

There is some uncertainty at right tackle, where McKivitz and Moore likely will compete to replace Mike McGlinchey. The 49ers figure to increase competition via the draft. Also, the door is wide open for someone up from the practice squad, such as Jason Poe, to win a backup role.

Defensive line (10): Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Arik Armstead, Clelin Ferrell, Javon Kinlaw, Drake Jackson, Kevin Givens, T.Y. McGill, Kalia Davis (NFI), Austin Bryant

The 49ers lost four significant contributors along the defensive line. They signed three veterans and also have high hopes for Davis to make an impact after spending last season working his way back from an ACL tear. The 49ers can be expected to continue to add players, including a draft pick or two, to head into camp with healthy competition.

Linebacker (5): Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Oren Burks, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Curtis Robinson

Burks, one of the 49ers' core special-teams players, took over as the 49ers' third linebacker when Azeez Al-Shaair was unavailable. This is a spot where the 49ers also figure to add a draft pick or priority free agent. And expect Marcelino McCrary-Ball to make a spirited bid for a roster spot.

Cornerback (6): Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Sam Womack, Isaiah Oliver, Ambry Thomas, A.J. Parker

The above six probably will not be the top six when the 49ers break camp. Parker is listed because he played 20 games (seven starts) over the past two seasons with the Detroit Lions. The 49ers can be expected to target this position in the draft. Also, keep an eye on versatile defender Qwuantrezz Knight, who spent his rookie season on the practice squad.

Safety (4): Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson, George Odum, Myles Hartsfield

The 49ers brought back Gipson on a one-year deal while Jimmie Ward left for the Houston Texans in free agency. Hartsfield started 19 games the past two seasons for Carolina but was let go as a restricted free agent. The 49ers would be wise to find a player in the draft they can spend a year developing for a potential starting role a year from now (see Hufanga, 2021).

Specialists (3): K Zane Gonzalez, P Mitch Wishnowsky, LS Taybor Pepper

Perhaps, Gonzalez will be the team's kicker this season. Perhaps, not. How early is too early for the 49ers to draft a kicker? Is it even worth it to draft a kicker? The 49ers have not selected one since Jeff Chandler (fourth round) in 2002.

(3) Quarterbacks: Trey Lance, Brock Purdy & Sam Darnold
(5) Running/Fullbacks: Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Ty Davis-Price & Kyle Juszczyk
(5) Wide Receivers: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Danny Gray, Jauan Jennings & Ray-Ray McCloud
(3) Tight Ends: #156, George Kittle & Charlie Woerner
(9) Offensive Linemen: #99, Trent Williams, Colton McKivitz, Aaron Banks, Jason Poe, Jake Brendel, Spencer Burford, Jon Feliciano & Matt Pryor
(10) Defensive Linemen: Nick Bosa, Clelin Ferrell, Javon Hargrave, T.Y. McGill, Kalia Davis, Arik Armstead, Kevin Givens, Javon Kinlaw, Drake Jackson & Melvin Ingram
(4) Linebackers: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Oren Burks & Marcelino McCrary-Ball
(6) Defensive Backs: #102, Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Qwuantrezz Knight, Isaiah Oliver & Samuel Womack III
(5) Safeties: #101, Tashaun Gipson, Miles Hartsfield, George Odum & Talanoa Hufanga
(3) Specialists: #165, Mitch Wishnowsky & Taybor Pepper

Stacked. Worried about the secondary though.

Originally posted by Young2Rice:
Stacked. Worried about the secondary though.

I'm not. Not with the draft coming and on paper, far more dominant D-line play,as well as an offense that will force more teams to play from behind.

Originally posted by Young2Rice:
Stacked. Worried about the secondary though.

I am only bc of injuries not the starters. We don't want Ambry Thomas getting burned subbing in for Ward or DeMo

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:

Originally posted by Young2Rice:
Stacked. Worried about the secondary though.

I'm not. Not with the draft coming and on paper, far more dominant D-line play,as well as an offense that will force more teams to play from behind.

Yeah, not a ton of starting spots left. It's time to go quality over quantity.

Yea I would say I'm worried about RT and Lenior at CB more than anything else. You need guys to hold up no matter how great your dline is. Eagles didn't sniff Mahomes and they had the 2nd most sacks in NFL history. And if Lenior or Ward go down who is next up on the outside? They'll need to add another rb in the draft as well. Can't trust Mitchell or TDP to be healthy. I think they will pick up a good tackle, CB, and TE in the draft. Plenty of vet pass rushers out there to be scooped up before TC starts too. Football gods owe a relatively healthy season. Enough is enough with that BS.

Originally posted by lamontb:
Yea I would say I'm worried about RT and Lenior at CB more than anything else. You need guys to hold up no matter how great your dline is. Eagles didn't sniff Mahomes and they had the 2nd most sacks in NFL history. And if Lenior or Ward go down who is next up on the outside? They'll need to add another rb in the draft as well. Can't trust Mitchell or TDP to be healthy. I think they will pick up a good tackle, CB, and TE in the draft. Plenty of vet pass rushers out there to be scooped up before TC starts too. Football gods owe a relatively healthy season. Enough is enough with that BS.

Too soon to start worrying about individual players or units. The draft could change the way things look and training camp can change things even more. Every season is a new look and we see players improve from the previous year. I'll wait until the season starts and I see how the team looks. How the new DC works out. How Purdy's arm looks and if Trey makes any improvement.

Originally posted by lamontb:
Yea I would say I'm worried about RT and Lenior at CB more than anything else. You need guys to hold up no matter how great your dline is. Eagles didn't sniff Mahomes and they had the 2nd most sacks in NFL history. And if Lenior or Ward go down who is next up on the outside? They'll need to add another rb in the draft as well. Can't trust Mitchell or TDP to be healthy. I think they will pick up a good tackle, CB, and TE in the draft. Plenty of vet pass rushers out there to be scooped up before TC starts too. Football gods owe a relatively healthy season. Enough is enough with that BS.

All legit points.

Jordan Mason makes it. IMO

The secondary is not done, I think they add another CB to challenge Ambry Thomas. And I think they add another Safety.

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Jordan Mason makes it. IMO

The secondary is not done, I think they add another CB to challenge Ambry Thomas. And I think they add another Safety.

Agreed.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by lamontb:
Yea I would say I'm worried about RT and Lenior at CB more than anything else. You need guys to hold up no matter how great your dline is. Eagles didn't sniff Mahomes and they had the 2nd most sacks in NFL history. And if Lenior or Ward go down who is next up on the outside? They'll need to add another rb in the draft as well. Can't trust Mitchell or TDP to be healthy. I think they will pick up a good tackle, CB, and TE in the draft. Plenty of vet pass rushers out there to be scooped up before TC starts too. Football gods owe a relatively healthy season. Enough is enough with that BS.

All legit points.

I'm less worried about Demo than you guys. He is a someone who really seemed to grow up during the postseason, sure he has to back that up this year but I am optimistic. I do agree that we need more competition on the O-line as well as the need to stack depth on the D-line and secondary.

Originally posted by GorefullBore:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by lamontb:
Yea I would say I'm worried about RT and Lenior at CB more than anything else. You need guys to hold up no matter how great your dline is. Eagles didn't sniff Mahomes and they had the 2nd most sacks in NFL history. And if Lenior or Ward go down who is next up on the outside? They'll need to add another rb in the draft as well. Can't trust Mitchell or TDP to be healthy. I think they will pick up a good tackle, CB, and TE in the draft. Plenty of vet pass rushers out there to be scooped up before TC starts too. Football gods owe a relatively healthy season. Enough is enough with that BS.

All legit points.

I'm less worried about Demo than you guys. He is a someone who really seemed to grow up during the postseason, sure he has to back that up this year but I am optimistic. I do agree that we need more competition on the O-line as well as the need to stack depth on the D-line and secondary.

I hear this. And with our pass rush and LB strength to cover, Lenoir shouldn't be a weakness. The issue is more if he gets hurt or if Wilks asks much more of his outside CB's. And that darn Sophomore jinx too. But he definitely earned the right to keep it going and growing.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:

Originally posted by Young2Rice:
Stacked. Worried about the secondary though.

I'm not. Not with the draft coming and on paper, far more dominant D-line play,as well as an offense that will force more teams to play from behind.

Yeah, not a ton of starting spots left. It's time to go quality over quantity.

I'm hoping ShanaLynch considers *durability* as well as talent level. I'm sure they do, though, given some of the talented 49er free agents the let go of this year (McGlinchy) being one of them. He was good, but often injured. Example of *durability* but not exactly a talent but because he was durable, he developed under good coaching. That guy is Jake Brendel. So, while a trade up is definitely an option for the OLine squad, I hope they go more in the Jake Brendel direction i.e. maybe a 3rd round or 4th round talent but first round in durability like Brendel.

25 more players to go.