The 49ers veterans report to team headquarters in Santa Clara on Tuesday. The first training camp practice for the 2023 season will take place Wednesday.
This is the perfect time to take a second run at predicting how the 53-man roster will shake out.
Quarterback: (3) Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, Sam Darnold
Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch dubbed Purdy as the “leader in the clubhouse” during the owner’s meetings in late March. The second-year quarterback appears to be ahead of schedule in his return from UCL surgery, but there has been no word from the team.
Shanahan also left the door open for the possibility of Lance earning the starting job. The former number three pick has been working with a new quarterback coach this offseason in hopes of fulfilling his vast potential.
Barring a trade, expect Darnold to be the third quarterback over Brandon Allen.
Running Back: (4) Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Ty Davis-Price
McCaffrey is the unquestioned starter. His presence helped open up the 49ers offense over the second half of 2022.
Behind McCaffrey, Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell will compete to be the second back. Mason took over the “closer” role late in the year in Mitchell’s absence. Mitchell is a good back; however, he has played just 16 of 34 regular season games in his first two seasons.
Meanwhile Ty Davis-Price will need to fend of rookies Khalan Laborn and Ronald Awatt to stay on the roster.
Fullback: (1) Kyle Juszczyk
Juszczyk is a lock to make the roster. The only question is if his versatility affords the 49ers the ability to keep just three tight ends on the roster.
Wide Receiver: (6) Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, Danny Gray, Ronnie Bell (R)
One through four are set.
Danny Gray and rookie Ronnie Bell will compete with Tay Martin, Chris Conley and Willie Snead IV for the final two roster spots. Gray brings speed, while Bell showed the ability fight for the ball and go over the middle during the offseason program.
Martin and Snead IV end up on the practice squad.
Tight End: (4) George Kittle, Cameron Latu (R), Brayden Willis (R), Ross Dwelley,
Cameron Latu fills the inline blocking tight end role formerly held by Charlie Woerner while Willis takes over Ross Dwelley’s spot as the move tight end.
Dwelley makes the team due to his ability to play special teams, however he is the odd man out if the team decided to go with just three tight ends.
Offensive Line: (8) Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Spencer Burford, Colton McKivitz, Jon Feliciano, Nick Zakelj, Matt Pryor
San Francisco returns four starters from a season ago.
Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, and Spencer Burford were all first-year starters who are looking to use their experience in 2022 to improve. Colton McKivitz appears to be the favorite to replace Mike McGlinchey at right tackle.
Jon Feliciano and Matt Pryor add experience behind the starters. The 49ers believe the future for Nick Zakelj is along the interior, however he played tackle in college and could slide outside if necessary.
Defensive Line: (9) Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Hargrave, Drake Jackson, Javon Kinlaw, Kevin Givens, Clelin Ferrell, Kalia Davis, Robert Beal Jr. (R)
Drake Jackson will replace Samson Ebukam as the starting defensive end opposite Nick Bosa. Clelin Ferrell can lineup outside or inside, adding depth to two spots along the defensive front.
New addition Javon Hargrave has played over 660 snaps each of the last four seasons. This, along with Ferrell allow the 49ers to keep one less interior defensive lineman on the active roster.
Kerry Hyder Jr. and Austin Bryant end up being the odd men out due to the special teams ability of the rookie Robert Beal Jr. Both are candidates to land on the practice squad along with veteran T.Y. McGill and undrafted free agent Spencer Waege.
Linebacker: (5) Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Oren Burks, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Dee Winters (R),
San Francisco is stacked at linebacker.
Burks is a special teams ace who can start. Marcelino McCrary-Ball was impressive during his rookie training camp and looked improved during offseason workouts this Spring. He along with rookie Dee Winters make the roster.
Veteran Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles gets dealt late in camp while veteran Curtis Robinson and rookie Jalen Graham land on the practice squad.
Cornerback: (6) Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Isaiah Oliver, Samuel Womack, Darrell Luter Jr. (R), D’Shawn Jamison
Ward and Lenoir are solid starters while Isaiah Oliver provides an upgrade in coverage from Jimmie Ward as the starting nickelback.
Samuel Womack and rookie Darrell Luter Jr. both possess the ability to play inside or outside.
The 49ers seemed to have lost faith in Ambry Thomas last year and is replaced by undrafted rookie free agent D’Shawn Jamison. Jamison improved throughout OTAs and minicamp. He bumps Thomas off the roster.
Safety: (4) Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson, George Odum, Ji’Ayir Brown (R)
No surprises here. Gipson will start with Brown pushing for snaps. Odum is a special teams ace.
Specialists: (3) Jake Moody (R), Mitchell Wishnowsky, Taybor Pepper
A lot of fans were moody over the 49ers taking a kicker in the third round; however, the former Michigan standout’s strong leg will pay big dividends this season.
Visit: Source link
#NFL #NFLNews #Sports #Football #Soccer #49ers #53man #roster #prediction