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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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Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Backs

Starter: Carlos Hyde
Reserves: Bruce Miller, Mike Davis, Kelvin Taylor
On the Bubble: DuJuan Harris, Shaun Draughn

Kelly is reportedly “really impressed” with Carlos Hyde, and he’ll be locked in as the every-down workhorse.  He’s already missed 11 games in two seasons, so the team will be looking to find solid backups for him; durability is a significant concern.  As long as he can stay on the field, however, he should have success in Kelly’s run-heavy zone-blocking scheme.

Behind him, things are murkier.

Bruce Miller probably is less of a lock than he has been for years, as Kelly doesn’t really use a fullback, historically.  He’s been mixing in at tight end this offseason, and is likely converting to a sort of H-back role.  He’s probably too talented to not make the roster in some form, but I wouldn’t be surprised if his days in San Francisco are numbered while Kelly’s running the offense.

We know Jarryd Hayne will not be on the team; he’s retiring in an attempt to make the Olympics, with Rugby being added to the 2016 Games for the first time in any form since 1924.  That does make the race for the roster spots a little simpler at the running back position—two young guys against two veterans for, essentially, two roster slots.

I’m going with youth on my 53, with the idea that the 49ers aren’t really expecting to compete for a playoff berth in 2016.  Mike Davis was outperformed by DuJuan Harris last season, with only 58 yards on 35 carries.  That’s a pretty disastrous rookie season, but he was a rookie and he did miss time with an injured hand.  I’d give him another season in a new offense before cutting him loose entirely.  I’ll also keep sixth-round pick Kelvin Taylor on the roster.  Though he doesn’t have the athleticism you’d really like at the position, he has fantastic ball security and good vision, and I think his developmental prospects are enough to grab a roster slot.

The veterans, Harris and Shaun Draughn, do have one up on Davis and Taylor—both of the young guys could be slid to the practice squad, while it’s main roster or bust for Harris and Draughn.

It’s not out of the question for the 49ers to keep five players here instead of four, allowing Harris to slip on to the roster, but the math just didn’t work out when I was setting the roster.

Next: Wide Receivers