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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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Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (L) and inside linebacker Sean Spence (51) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (L) and inside linebacker Sean Spence (51) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Bruce Miller-Fullback

2015 Statistics

Bruce Miller is one of the best fullbacks in the NFL. Unfortunately, new head coach Chip Kelly simply doesn’t use the traditional fullback role that Miller typically occupies.

Miller has shown plenty of athleticism and may be able to land a role as a hybrid TE/H-back. The 49ers should not simply release Miller. He is far too valuable. Other teams likely wouldn’t part with a player worth swapping for MIller, but the 49ers could garner a future draft pick.

General manager Trent Baalke has shown his affinity for stockpiling picks and sending MIller to an AFC team could be a way to do so. For the 49ers, they’d lose a very good player that simply doesn’t have much of a role on the roster.

Give Miller credit. He’s working to find a home in Chip Kelly’s offense. After converting to fullback when he was drafted, Miller has shown athletic versatility that might encourage the coaching staff to keep him around.

Even though he is an excellent athlete, Miller’s conversion to tight end places him in the same category as Vance McDonald. He’s obviously contributed more but can he beat out the other athletic tight ends for a role? If so, he’ll remain a primary special teams player and occupy only a bit-role on offense.

He does, however, provide excellent depth for a team that is young and inexperienced. Miller has the benefit of being an excellent player at his position as a trump card over other guys that the team might consider.

Nonetheless, if head coach Chip Kelly doesn’t value his position, it’s hard to see him remaining with the team in 2016. As such, he’s on the roster bubble whether we like it or not.

Next: Final Thoughts