San Francisco 49ers: 10 Starters Who Might Not Make the 53-Man Roster in 2016
By Peter Panacy
No. 7: Tight End Vance McDonald
Like so many other positions on the roster, the 49ers have a lot of options at tight end but not so many clear-cut choices.
Tight end Vance McDonald’s three-year career has been largely marked by injuries and poor hands. And who could forget a play like this:
True, McDonald’s blocking abilities are good. And he could be the type of player who thrives under head coach Chip Kelly.
But, while McDonald experienced his best pro year in 2015, there are more than enough reasons to suggest why he’ll be on the outs here soon.
San Francisco re-signed fellow TE Garrett Celek this offseason, and signs would point to the Niners looking at him as a better option than McDonald entering 2016. That alone should push McDonald down the depth chart.
Additionally, the 49ers are probably nowhere near close to giving up on second-year pro Blake Bell, and tight end Busta Anderson may be a commodity worth watching.
Lastly, former Stanford wide receiver Devon Cajuste looks like he’s more of a tight end than a traditional receiver.
So who goes?
McDonald is a free agent after this season, but the 49ers may already know what they have. And he could be expendable right now.
Next: WR Quinton Patton