The San Francisco 49ers secured their first win of the 2024 NFL season. Yes, it was in the Preseason. And no, it does not count, but that does not change the importance of the 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints. With every snap, the structure of the 2024 roster is becoming clear.
2024 draft picks Dominick Puni and Renardo Green are vying for starting jobs, while 2023 draft pick Cameron Latu hopes to remain employed after August 27th.
Decisions to cut bait on highly drafted prospects and risk positional groups on unproven players are looming for John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. But they have enough on their plate, so let us take the old college try and predict the San Francisco 49ers 2024 53-man roster.
Quarterback: 3
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Starter: Brock Purdy,
Backups: Joshua Dobbs and Brand Allen
Practice Squad: Tanner Mordecai
Reasoning: The Quarterback position might be the most straight-forward under Kyle Shanahan since 2019. Brock Purdy is the undisputed starter, while Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen are interchangeable depending on Shanahan’s preference.
Running Back: 5
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Starters: Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk (fullback)
Backups: Jordan Mason, Elijah Mitchell and Isaac Guerendo
Practice Squad: Cody Schrader and Matt Breida
Reasoning: The only debate is who alleviates Christian McCaffrey when he needs a much-deserved breather. The answer should be Jordan Mason. And after three seasons, Kyle Shanahan seems open to that possibility. Elijah Mitchell sits nicely as the RB3 in case of an injury, while rookie Isaac Guerendo enjoys most of his reps as the ideal return man in this new era of kick returns. Maybe the 49ers feel comfortable trading Elijah Mitchell to avoid Cody Schrader hitting waivers, but ultimately, Shanahan should keep the four best running backs on the main roster.
Wide Receiver: 6
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Starters: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jaun Jennings
Backups: Ricky Pearsall, Chris Conley and Jacob Cowing
Practice Squad: Ronnie Bell, Trent Taylor and Tay Martin
Reasoning: C’mon, is there any other logical answer? Aiyuk should re-sign shortly, and no backup receiver has proven they can get open or catch the ball consistently. I would expect Shanahan to keep Bell and Taylor on the practice squad due to their Special Team flexibility, but after Cowing’s impressive debut vs. the Saints, maybe he feels more inclined to let the 2024 rookie class take the lead.
Tight End: 3
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Starter: George Kittle
Backups: Eric Saubert and Brayden Willis
Practice Squad: Cameron Latu
Reasoning: Another year, another tight end room led by George Kittle and loads of “oh okay.” Veteran Eric Saubert has been head and shoulder above the pack, securing the No. 2 tight-end job. Meanwhile, Brayden Willis has usurped his 2023 third-round pick counterpart Cameron Latu, who still does not fully grasp the offense or how to use his 6-foot-5-inch frame as a receiver. I do not think San Francisco is ready to give up on Latu, but he is living up to the “bust” label commonly worn by Niners’ third-round picks.
Offensive Line: 10
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Starters: Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni and Colton McKivitz
Backups: Jaylon Moore, Jon Feliciano, Spencer Burford, Jarrett Kingston and Chris Hubbard
Practice Squad: Ben Bartch and Nick Zakelj
Reasoning: 2024 third-round pick Dominick Puni’s ascension to starter has been something to behold and strengthens the entire unit. Jon Feliciano slides into a backup guard/center role, and Spencer Burford becomes the primary backup right guard. While backup tackle is a concern, the competition between Chris Hubbard and Brandon Parker has a clear winner. Even 2024 sixth-round pick Jarett Kingston has performed well enough to make Ben Bartch and Nick Zakelj expendable, although their play may have done that.
Defensive Line: 8
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Starters: Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins and Leonard Floyd
Backups: Yetur Gross-Matos, Kevin Givens, Jordan Elliot and Robert Beal Jr.
Practice Squad: Alex Barrett, Jonathan Garvin and T.Y McGill
Injured Reserve: Kalia Davis and Drake Jackson
Reasoning: Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos should give San Francisco much-needed health and consistency opposite former defensive player of the year Nick Bosa. But the 49ers are desperate for edge depth, especially after Drake Jackson was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. Do not be surprised if they make a trade — keep an eye on Jets’ defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes if the organization works out a new deal with Hasson Reddick. If not, veteran Alex Barrett and UFL standout Jonathan Garvin have made strong cases to make the roster, but either way, San Francisco needs proven bodies.
Linebacker: 5
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Starters: Fred Warner and De’Vondre Campbell Sr.
Backups: Dee Winters, Curtis Robinson and Tatum Bethune
Practice Squad: Demetrius-Flannigan Fowles and Jalen Graham
Physically Unable to Perform: Dre Greenlaw
Reasoning: The absence of Dre Greenlaw leaves a crater in the linebacker rotation that San Francisco is trying to fill with veteran De’Vondre Campbell and a slew of unproven talents. Among them is standout Dee Winters and practice squad mainstay Curtis Robinson. Both have shined through Week 2 of the Preseason, forcing the 49ers to make tough decisions regarding Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Jalen Graham. Does San Francisco stick with the low-ceiling veteran or bank on the high-risk youngster reaching his potential? The Niners should take the risk, ride with the unproven talent, and hope it works out. They do not call it Super Bowl or Bust for nothing.
Cornerback: 6
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Starters: Charvarius “Mooney” Ward, Deommodore Lenoir and Isaac Yiadom
Backups: Renardo Green, Rock Ya-Sin and Darrell Luter Jr.
Practice Squad: Chase Lucas
Injured Reserve: Ambry Thomas
Reasoning: Similar to wide receiver, the cornerback room is the deepest under the Lynch/Shanahan regime. Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are a Top-10 duo. Isaac Yiadom is stellar in press-man coverage, while 2024 second-round pick Renardo Green has been impressive in Preseason, locking down Saints’ star receiver Chris Olave. The 49ers still have high hopes for second-year cornerback Darrell Luter Jr., leaving three players vying for one roster spot. Would San Francisco lean toward keeping veteran Rock-Ya Sin, giving them proven outside flexibility, or prefer to strengthen their special teams unit by retaining Samuel Womack or Chase Lucas? Ya-Sin has the upper hand, being the best pure cornerback of the bunch, while Lucas has 295 special team snaps under his belt.
Safety: 4
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Starters: Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum
Backups: Malik Mustapha and Tracy Walker
Practice Squad: Tayler Hawkins
Physically Unable to Perform: Talanoa Hufanga
Reasoning: 2024 fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha is pushing to start over veteran George Odum, but at times, Mustapha plays head over heels. That play style attracted them to Talanoa Hufanga and Ji’Ayir Brown, and just like those before him, I would expect San Francisco to work Mustapha in strategically before taking over as the starter. Veteran Tracy Walker has not performed well in Preseason, but he is only a placeholder for Hufanga’s much-anticipated return. Walker could find his way on the practice squad in case of emergency.
Special Teams: 3
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Starters: Jake Moody, Mitch Wishnowsky and Taybor Pepper
Reasoning: Does anybody really care?
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