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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Veterans Who May Be on the Roster Bubble in 2016

By Jerod Brown

Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) autographs a jersey with his name on it after the win against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) autographs a jersey with his name on it after the win against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman (23) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) and free safety Eric Reid (35) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman (23) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) and free safety Eric Reid (35) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Antoine Bethea-Safety

2015 Statistics

Bethea is simply the product of father time. The 49ers have a younger, healthier and cheaper replacement to Bethea already on the roster. Bethea may be an unfortunate victim of recent drafts.

Bethea has had a short time with the 49ers but he’s provided leadership at an increasingly difficult time for the franchise. With a string of retirements, it looked like the team would be hurting for a veteran presence to calm the roster. Bethea provided that, albeit briefly.

Bethea is a well-seasoned veteran but he’s battling a season-ending injury in 2015 and stiff competition to make the roster moving forward.

After Bethea’s injury, rookie Jaquiski Tartt filled in and played well. When Tartt was selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, it seemed only a matter of time before he was offered a starting role.

The 49ers experimented with Tartt in a hybrid-linebacker role early in 2015 before needing him at safety. At both positions, he handled the turbulence of his rookie season impressively.

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The 49ers will likely carry an extra tight end on the roster to accommodate the mix of multiple-position players and, as such, will have to cut decent players from other areas.

Although Bethea is a better safety than LJ McCray, McCray is the team’s special teams ace and has earned his roster spot by playing every coverage unit and playing them exceptionally well. In a pinch he could play safety, but his role is to dominate as a gunner.

Bethea’s age and limited usage make him expendable for a young roster that is prepared to handle the learning curves of players as they develop. If the 49ers were a better team, it would be a surprise to let Bethea go. However, it’s clear the 49ers need young players to get all of the experience they can.

Bethea, with Tartt behind him to step in, is not only on the roster bubble, but his bubble may burst at any moment.

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