Niner Noise
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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 free safety Eric Reid (35) jumps up with cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) to break up the pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) on the final play during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) jumps up with cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) to break up the pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) on the final play during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Backs

Starters: Tramaine Brock, Kenneth Acker, Jimmie Ward, Antoine Bethea, Eric Reid
Reserves: Will Redmond*, Dontae Johnson, Rashard Robinson, Jaquiski Tartt
On the Bubble: Keith Reaser, LJ McCray
Potential Practice Squad: Prince Charles Iworah, Chris Davis, Marcus Cromartie, Jered Bell

The defensive backfield is kind of full, a direct result of drafting eight defensive backs over the past three years.

Tramaine Brock and Kenneth Acker finished last season as the starters on the outside, with Dontae Johnson coming in as the top reserve and most frequent special teams performer.  None of them are likely to be going anywhere. Jimmie Ward was the top slot corner on the team last year and he’ll be in the mix there again.

Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea should come back as starters at safety, though Bethea’s age might make him more vulnerable to a potential cut.  Jaquiski Tartt is rumored to be moving more to inside linebacker, considering his tackling prowess and the weakness of the linebacking position, but until there’s more official confirmation of that, I’m keeping him at a safety.

Rookies Will Redmond and Rashard Robinson will also likely make the roster due to their high draft position.  Redmond might start the season on an injury list, as he tore his ACL in October, but other than that, it feels like the roster at this position is more or less already set before training camp begins.

Keith Reaser’s the first cornerback on the bubble—if Redmond can’t start the season, then Reaser is the most likely choice to get the roster slot.  If Antoine Bethea is released because of his age and injury last season, L.J. McCray is the most likely safety to replace him.  Other than that, this is mostly fairly set at this point.

Next: Special Teams