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San Francisco 49ers: Full Prediction of 53-Man Roster in 2016

By Bryan Knowles

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) celebrates with punter Bradley Pinion (5) after making a field goal during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) celebrates with punter Bradley Pinion (5) after making a field goal during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams

Starters: Phil Dawson, Bradley Pinion, Kyle Nelson
Potential Practice Squad: John Lunsford

No drama here.  Bradley Pinion and Kyle Nelson are the only punter and long snapper on the roster, so their roster slots are set.  Phil Dawson was re-signed to a one-year deal with guaranteed money, so it wouldn’t make much sense for the 49ers to cut him for a UDFA like John Lunsford.  Lunsford’s a camp leg, to help keep the older Dawson fresh for the regular season.

That’s the best projection I can make for a 53-man roster at this point in the season.  There’s a lot that can shift and change once training camp and preseason actually begins, and we’ll have to keep abreast of all the changes as they develop.  If they had to set their roster today, though, these are the 53 men I believe Kelly and Baalke would be most likely to pick.

Next: Why Wide Receiver Will Be a Problem

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