The 49ers have already played two preseason games, and yet the team’s roster seems as unsettled as ever.
A lot of that has to do with two All-Pro players, Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Taylor, skipping practices amid contract negotiations.
Even more of it has to do with this team’s never-ending cycle of injuries.
Cut down day is a week away (Aug. 27). The Niners need to submit their answers to this strange test by then.
Here’s my best guess on who sticks and who goes:
Quarterback (3)
Brock Purdy, Josh Dobbs, Brandon Allen
A small thing here, but Dobbs seems to be the new No. 2 for the Niners. I’d expect all three to make the team, though. Has Tanner Mordecai (who looked solid Sunday) justified eating $700k on Allen’s contract? Doubtful.
Out: Tanner Mordecai
Fullback (1)
Kyle Juszczyk
Running Back (4)
Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, J.P. Mason, Cody Schrader, Isaac Guerendo (IR – designated)
Out: Matt Breida, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Patrick Taylor
There’s nothing new here. Mitchell and Guerendo aren’t practicing, but the former is expected to be back on the practice field before the regular season. Watch this space. As for Schrader, the game action has not impressed, but he is being used on special teams and made a nice tackle Sunday. I don’t see a reason why the Niners would risk him leaving the team post-cut when they were able to sign Matt Breida and Ke’Shawn Vaughn mid-camp.
Wide Receiver (6)
Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, Chris Conley
Out: Trent Taylor, Ronnie Bell, Tay Martin, Jontre Kirkland, Robbie Chosen
No changes. Taylor is playing three-plus quarters in preseason games. Seeing as he’s not a viable kick-return option with the new rules, it’s highly unlikely he makes the roster.
Tight End (3)
George Kittle, Brayden Willis, Eric Saubert
Out: Cam Latu, Jake Tonges, Mason Pline
The Niners would be foolish to carry four. They’d be even more foolish to carry Latu, who has shown next to nothing in camp and in games. Another bust of a third-round pick.
Offensive Line (10)
Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, Colton McKivitz, Jaylon Moore, Spencer Burford, Nick Zakelj, Jarrett Kingston, Drake Nugent
Out: Ben Bartch, Chris Hubbard, Brandon Parker, Jon Feliciano, Sebastian Gutierrez, Lewis Kidd, Isaac Alarcon
This might be a bit of wish casting, but Nugent has been impressive as a center (not so much at guard), and the Niners really like Kingston as a depth piece on the interior.
And at this point, with Aaron Banks and Jon Feliciano injured, the Niners can’t afford to jettison Nick Zakelj.
This team goes from an average offensive line to perhaps the worst in the league without Trent Williams. Get the man signed.
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Defensive Line (9)
Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Kevin Givens, Jordan Elliott, Alex Barrett, Robert Beal, Kalia Davis (IR-Designated)
Out: T.Y. McGill, Shakel Brown, Evan Anderson, Jonathan Garvin, Sam Okuayinonu, Nick Williams, Drake Jackson (PUP)
I don’t think we can shut the door on McGill just yet — he and Beal should be battling it out for a roster spot in the final days of camp. I think Barrett deserves a spot on the roster — he plays with a strong motor and looks bigger and stronger going into this season.
Keep an eye on Shakel Brown in the final days of camp and the final preseason game, he could get in on this action, too. Ultimately, the Niners will be best served for roster spot No. 9 by making a low-cost trade or picking up a cut player next week.
Linebacker (5)
Fred Warner, De’Vondre Campbell, Jalen Graham, Dee Winters, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Out: Curtis Robinson, Tatum Bethune
I still think DFF has the inside track to the No. 5 gig, but both Robinson and Bethune are going to push until the final cut-down day. This could be a close one — Robinson has been the best of the three, but Bethune is the most recent draft pick.
Cornerback (6)
Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Isaac Yiadom, Renardo Green, Rock Ya-Sin, Darrell Luter Jr.
Out: Chase Lucas, Samuel Womack, Ambry Thomas
I still see Luter holding the job. The Niners gave Womack ample playing time against the Saints on Sunday. Against actual NFL players, it was a tough watch. He improved once the Saints were playing their third-stringers. I’d imagine he’ll have another opportunity to convince Niners coaches he’s worth keeping on Friday against the Raiders.
Safety (3)
Ji’Ayir Brown, George Odum, Malik Mustapha, Talanoa Hufanga (PUP)
Out: Tracy Walker, Jalen Mahoney, Tayler Hawkins
Someone will get cut when Hufanga comes off PUP after cut-down day — probably Schrader. But in the meantime, the Niners carry three and keep one of the three cuts around as a practice-squad call-up player.
Special Teams (3)
Jake Moody, Mitch Wishnowsky, Taybor Pepper
Out: Pressley Harvin
But are we sure the Niners shouldn’t keep Harvin? What about a two-punter system? One for big punts — Harvin — and one for the short game?
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