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

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November 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Blake Bell (84) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Tight Ends

Starter: Vance McDonald
Reserves: Garrett Celek, Blake Bell
On the Bubble: Devon Cajuste, Busta Anderson, Je’Ron Hamm

Kelly usually kept four tight ends in Philadelphia, but since I have Bruce Miller making the roster and he’s been experimenting with the tight ends this offseason, I’ll leave it at three for now.

Vance McDonald has some of the worst hands I’ve ever seen, but he developed some chemistry with Blaine Gabbert down the stretch and, when he does catch the ball, has flashed playmaking ability. I think he outlasts second-year player Blake Bell for the starting receiving tight end slot, a role which Kelly uses a lot. Garrett Celek should be the primary blocking tight end; he should receiver more snaps than whoever loses the McDonald/Bell battle at the top of the card.

All three players listed as “on the bubble” are eligible for the practice squad, and I think Cajuste is a lock there, at worst. With the receiving battle wide open, he could easily make the 53-man roster at either position, but it’s always a little bit dangerous to predict a UDFA to make the roster straight out of training camp. He’s one to keep an eye on, but there’s some ground to cover before he reaches the 53.

Next: Offensive Line