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San Francisco 49ers: Who Is on Each Position’s Roster Bubble in 2016?

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser (27) kneels on the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser (27) kneels on the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Secondary

Cornerback: Kenneth Acker, Tramaine Brock, Marcus Cromartie, Chris Davis, Prince Charles Iworah, Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser, Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson, Jimmie Ward

Safety: Jered Bell, Antoine Bethea, L.J. McCray, Eric Reid, Jaquiski Tartt

San Francisco is deep at cornerback but, aside from guys like Tramaine Brock and Jimmie Ward, there isn’t any guarantee how this unit will form up in 2016.

Third-year corner Kenneth Acker probably isn’t going anywhere after starting most of 2015. The same could be said for fellow cornerback Dontae Johnson, who should see an increased role this year.

And the Niners will want to see how their investments in rookies Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson and Prince Charles Iworah pan out. Iworah may be the weakest out of the bunch.

None of this looks good for cornerback Keith Reaser though, as Ryan Sakamoto of Ninerfans.com pointed out a while back:

The 49ers also have their safety crop set up, and it’s likely the starting tandem of Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea will continue in 2016.

But the Niners may want to see more out of second-year pro Jaquiski Tartt — unless he’s featured in more of a hybrid role, as Niner Noise’s Rich Madrid suggests — and Ward could eventually transition back to his natural safety position at some point here.

This could push the veteran Bethea out of the picture. The only question is when.

Strong Bubble: Antoine Bethea, Marcus Cromartie

Weak Bubble: Keith Reaser, Prince Charles Iworah, Chris Davis

Next: Linebacker