Predicting the 49ers 2024 53-Man Roster: Who makes the final cut?

Aug 26, 2024, 12:51 PM | Updated: 12:53 pm

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 23: San Francisco 49ers offensive unit group huddle during a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

After a month of preseason football and training camp, the day has finally come: Roster cut-downs for the 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers, along with 31 other NFL teams, are in the process of trimming their roster from 90 men to 53 by Tuesday’s 4 PM eastern deadline. And while there have been a few preseason standouts, not everyone is guaranteed a seat, meaning a few heartbreaks could be on the way.

With that being said, a lot of the positions seem solidified. Only a few key areas have some tough decisions ahead of the 49ers’ coaching staff and Kyle Shanahan. Here’s how we see it shaking out for 2024.

The #49ers have made the following roster moves.https://t.co/h0ZcSb8cgN pic.twitter.com/4j2Quaw3Ym
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 26, 2024

Side Notes: Names italicized mean rookie players, while names in bold are undrafted free agents.

Quarterback (3)

Who’s In: Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Allen (Emergency QB)

Who’s Out:

Tanner Mordecai

Practice Squad (PS): N/A

The starting QB for the 49ers was never going to change this year (unless injuries occurred) as Brock Purdy is the team’s franchise gunslinger.

The third-year QB has had some ups and downs this training camp, but the consensus has been positive, especially in the team’s preseason finale last Friday. Barring something unforeseen, Purdy will remain the starter for years to come.

The real decisions come after Purdy, with Josh Dobbs and Brandon Allen both making compelling cases to be the 49ers’ backup fro 2024. But, it appears that the former has won the job, looking more impressive each week under Kyle Shanahan. Additionally, Dobbs’ running ability and veteran leadership make him a valuable backup in the 49ers’ system.

Brandon Allen will still be on the roster though, just as the third-stringer. He too has much improved this preseason.

Tanner Mordecai is the odd man out unfortunately.

Running Back (5)

Who’s In: Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, Elijah Mitchell (?), Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo

Who’s Out: Patrick Taylor, Matt Brieda, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn

PS: Cody Schrader

The 49ers love to have plethora of tailbacks at their disposal, with Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk leading the charge as starters. Both men will be the bell-cows out of the gate, especially CMC, while “Juice” will do all the dirty work from the backfield.

Behind them, Jordan Mason has made the best case for being the No.2 guy in the run game. The 2024 preseason showcased his ability to be a three-down back, a trait that skyrockets him up the 49ers depth chart. Elijah Mitchell was suppose to be that guy, but injuries have plagued him once more.

Could he be on the trade block? It’s a possibility.

The rookie Isaac Guerendo has also dealt with the injury bug, but likely secured his roster spot with an electrifying kick return against the Raiders. That should be his main role in Year 1 of the NFL.

Jordan Mason has developed into a stud. Incredible vision here to follow the flow of blockers and cut back for a significant gain. So smooth. pic.twitter.com/ybwwJ9Hgpe
— Jesse Reed (@JesseReed78) August 25, 2024

Wide Receiver (6)

Who’s In: Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing, Chris Conley

Who’s Out: Danny Gray, Trent Taylor, WR Jontre Kirklin

PS: Ronnie Bell, Tay Martin

This cut-down seems pretty obvious after the preseason, with the 49ers likely keeping six on the roster. Aiyuk (hopefully), Samuel, Jennings are the three starters, with Cowing, Pearsall and Conley serving as the backups. The veteran Conley gets the final spot over Taylor and Bell due to his leaership and reliability in the 49ers’ system.

Bell and Tay Martin are younger guys that could stick around on the practice squad. However, it’s likely the end of the line for Danny Gray and Trent Taylor with the Red & Gold.

Two prominent 49ers are back at practice today: CB Isaac Yiadom and WR Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall’s in a blue, no-contact jersey to protect his shoulder. pic.twitter.com/OfE6RZ0vVv
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 26, 2024

Tight End (4)

Who’s In: George Kittle, Eric Saubert, Logan Thomas, Brayden Willis

Who’s Out: Cameron Latu, Mason Pline

PS: Jake Tonges

George Kittle is the No.1, there was never a debate there.

It’s been interesting to see how the tight end depth chart developed this preseason though, as Saubert has been most reliable of the bunch. Thomas has also flashed with veteran experience, partially why they brought him back over the weekend. Out of the young bucks, Willis has been the most consistent in both pass-catching and blocking.

Having both is key to making the 49ers’ roster, and unfortunately, Latu struggles at the second part.

The big surprise has been Jake Tonges, having a solid preseason that will likely see him make the practice squad.

Offensive Line (9)

Who’s In: Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Jon Feliciano (IR), Colton McKivitz, Jaylon Moore, Dominick Puni, Spencer Burford, Jarrett Kingston, Nick Zakelj

Who’s Out: Corey Luciano, Sebastian Gutierrez, Briason Mays, Brandon Parker, Lewis Kidd

PS: Ben Bartch, Chris Hubbard, Drake Nugent, Isaac Alarcon (IPPP)

Let’s be real: Trent Williams will be on the 49ers for Week 1 against the New York Jets. All signs point to a reworked contract coming together because frankly: They need him.

The 49ers’ offensive line has not been impressive in preseason, and is now banged up one the interior. Aaron Banks has minor injury already, while Jon Feliciano will start the year on IR due to a knee injury. But, some good news comes out of the preseason, with rookies Jarrett Kingston and Dominick Puni putting on impressive displays through three games. The latter should be the starting right guard Week 1.

Carrying nine OLs makes sense right now, with the option to downsize or elevate more in the future.

49ers 6th round rookie Jarrett Kingston neutralizes pass rush with a quick chop pic.twitter.com/GoVcYh79ff
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) August 20, 2024

Defensive Line (8)

Who’s In: Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Jordan Elliott, Kevin Givens, Drake Jackson (IR), Kalia Davis (IR), Robert Beal Jr.

Who’s Out: Jonathan Garvin, Sam Okuayinonu, Nick Williams, Shakel Brown

PS: T.Y. McGill, Alex Barrett, Evan Anderson

The 49ers don’t have a ton of depth on the defensive line like they usually do, now even more heightened with the injuries to Floyd and Gross-Matos. Both men are expected to be ready for Week 1 but it puts extra strain on the front office to get the cut-down right this week. Which is why carrying an extra man (for now) could be the move here.

Robert Beal has done enough to warrant that final roster spot over Alex Barrett, who SF also likes. The hope would be to throw a few guys one the practice squad for a “break-glass” scenario, but the 49ers could also survey the market for more options.

Once fully healthy, the starting unit should do just fine. But again, it’s a thin group for 49ers’ DL coach Kris Kocurek.

Linebacker (6)

Who’s In: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw (IR), De’Vondre Campbell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters, Jalen Graham, Curtis Robinson

Who’s Out: N/A

PS: Tatum Bethune

The 49ers’ 2024 LB room is full of a lot of options that excite, and that’s without Dre Greenlaw for majority of the year.

Warner and Campbell are the likely starters out of the gate, with DFF and Winters battling for the final spot as the sub-linebacker. We’ll see how Winters’ ankle injury factors into the 49ers’ decisions, but he’s had too good of preseason to not make the 53.

Graham is another second-year guy that has shown real flashes in 2024, and Robinson is a veteran that fills some holes for the roster across the board.

Seventh-rounder Bethune has also done enough to earn a practice-squad spot.

49ers rookie LB Tatum Bethune had himself a nice game against Tennessee. He led the team in tackles with 8 (5 solo) and also had a TFL

Here’s a look at several of his plays pic.twitter.com/mYSm8uw8fm
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) August 11, 2024

Cornerback (6)

Who’s In: Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Isaac Yiadom, Rock Ya-Sin, Samuel Womack III

Who’s Out: Ambry Thomas

PS: Chase Lucas, Darrell Luter Jr.

The 49ers’ 2024 secondary may be the deepest group they’ve had in years, making cut-downs even more difficult. Ward and Lenoir are the unequivocal starters, with rookie Renardo Green very likely to be one of the nickel-backs in 2024. Yiadom and Ya-Sin have also shown veteran play this month and will be valuable keepers for Nick Sorensen’s defense. Womack will likely play on special teams.

Both Luter Jr. and Lucas are younger guys that can be practice squad additions for more depth.

Safety (3)

Who’s In: Talanoa Hufanga (PUP), Ji’Ayir Brown, George Odum, Malik Mustapha, Tayler Hawkins (IR)

Who’s Out: Jaylen Mahoney

PS: Tracy Walker III

Unfortunately, Talanoa Hufanga appears headed for the Physically Unable to Perform list to start the regular season. While he has been cleared to return to practice, the 49ers will ease him back into football slowly, missing the first four games.

In the meantime, second-year standout Brown will be one of the starters, with veteran Odum getting his shot at holding down the fort. The rookie Mustapha is still a bit green, even if he flashed some serious potential during the preseason.

Tracy Walker III goes to the practice squad for emergency depth on gamedays.

Ji’Ayir Brown loves what he sees in rookies Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha:

“Renardo Green comes in and his man courage is outstanding. His ability to pick up concepts. [Malik] Mustapha is the same way. His ability to pick up concepts, ability to pick up the play. These guys… pic.twitter.com/3zl0MKM1zZ
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) July 31, 2024

Special Teams (3)

Who’s In: K Jake Moody, P Mitch Wishnowsky, LS Taybor Pepper, KRs Guerendo, Womack III, PRs Cowing, Pearsall

Who’s Out: Taylor, Pressley Harvin III

PS: N/A

The only changes here come in the return group, as punter, kicker and long-snapper are well established, even if Wishnowsky has missed the majority of training camp with knee irritation.

The rookies (Pearsall, Cowing, Guerendo) have shown promise in the return roles, particularly the latter two. Guerendo’s electrifying return last Friday will give him a real shot at being the kick returner for Week 1. Womack also provides options at both spots, give his versatility and quickness.

Pearsall may be a stretch but Cowing’s preseason emergence opens the door for any possibility on gameday.