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San Francisco 49ers: Full Depth Chart & Roster Predictions for 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) breaks up a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) breaks up a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback

Tramaine Brock, Jimmie Ward, Dontae Johnson, Will Redmond (nickel), Kenneth Acker, Rashard Robinson

Players Cut: Marcus Cromartie, Chris Davis, Prince Charles Iworah, Keith Reaser

As opposed to the safety position, cornerback is one of the numerous 49ers positions where we have little clue how the depth chart will shape up.

Well, outside of the starting two.

Defensive back Jimmie Ward will likely secure the No. 2 starting position alongside veteran Tramaine Brock. That’s fine. But how will the rest of the cast shape up?

If we base the nickel corner assignment off what reports suggested about rookie Will Redmond’s health, he’ll likely be slated right into this role as the slot cover guy.

So that takes away three of the 49ers six(?) corners they’ll have on the roster.

It’s possible the Niners have more. Back in May, Niners Nation published a breakdown stressing the need for more corners in defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil’s defense, which might help determine why the 49ers didn’t draft any inside linebackers last April.

Sure, the 49ers could keep more than six corners on their roster. And if any of the depth CBs double on special teams, it’s only a bonus.

But this doesn’t bode well for third-year corner Keith Reaser, who saw his role diminish last year all the way to just 82 snaps, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Reaser may get the axe as well as seventh-round draftee Prince Charles Iworah.

Next: Linebacker