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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Players Who May Be on the Roster Bubble After NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) returns an interception for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) returns an interception for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team Carter safety Antoine Bethea of the San Francisco 49ers (24) during the Pro Bowl Draft at The Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team Carter safety Antoine Bethea of the San Francisco 49ers (24) during the Pro Bowl Draft at The Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Safety Antoine Bethea

Unlike many of the other players on this list, safety Antoine Bethea isn’t on the bubble watch based on poor performance or not living up to expectations.

Before a pectoral injury cut Bethea’s 2015 campaign short, the veteran safety was one of the better defenders on San Francisco’s roster and a leader in the clubhouse. Pro Football Focus gave Bethea a minus-1.3 overall grade on the year — not great, but far better than many of the 49ers’ other defensive backs last season.

But the theme here — and the reason why Bethea could be on the bubble — is the Niners are moving to a younger crop of defensive backs. It’s a process which started back in 2013 with the selection of fellow safety Eric Reid in Round 1.

Since that point, the 49ers have drafted two additional noteworthy safeties: Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt.

Tartt may be slated for a hybrid-type role, which we see him line up as an inside linebacker in sub packages. Up to this point, Ward has been featured as the team’s nickel corner. But there is a high chance Ward moves back to his natural position, as 49ers general manager Trent Baalke noted (h/t Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News).

The Niners’ selection of cornerback Will Redmond will probably shift Ward to safety, which means Bethea could be the odd man out.

At 31 years old (he’ll turn 32 in July), Bethea doesn’t have age on his side. And this is a 49ers team looking to get younger across the board.

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You’ll see there aren’t some other names on this list which, upon initial speculation, one might think should be here.

For example, tight end Vance McDonald has been a disappointment since being drafted in 2013. Call it a hunch, but McDonald likely makes the roster this season. Head coach Chip Kelly loves his tight ends, and McDonald’s blocking abilities are well documented even if his hands are unreliable at best.

Veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks seems to be another cut candidate. While it’s entirely possible the 49ers part ways with the expensive pass-rusher, Brooks was tied for the team lead in sacks last season (6.5) and, at worst, could be featured exclusively as a situational pass-rusher if second-year pro Eli Harold ends up receiving first-team reps.

All of this is speculation at best. Offseason activities and training camp will determine which players stay or go. And even that doesn’t mean guys are a lock to make a regular-season roster.

So, as is the nature with all offseason content, this story is to be continued.

Next: Early Projections for 49ers 2016 Rookie Class

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.