49ers Training Camp: Full 2016 Preview for San Francisco

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Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receive Bryce Treggs (1) stretches during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Roster Bubbles

Doesn’t this term just want you to make the jump into a nice and warm bubbly bathtub?

No? OK, me neither. It is summer time.

In all seriousness, the current 90-man roster has many deep positions which need to be resolved at training camp.

By far the biggest depth is at wide receiver, but just about everyone else is either unproven or has underachieved in their career. The cornerback position has good talent, but a lot of unproven players. The offensive line has proven players, but also several new rookies and now a returning Anthony Davis.

Out of the receivers, only Smith is guaranteed to start. Bruce Ellington should make the team based on his versatility in the return game, and Quinton Patton should make the team — but his performance in the OTAs are a major cause for concern. Eric Rogers has professional football experience. He has the height at 6-foot-3, which should give him matchup advantages.

Out of all the other receivers on the current roster, whether they make it or not will be based on performance. Aaron Burbridge should make the team as it seems unlikely the 49ers would be willing to let their recent draft pick not make the squad. DeAndre Smelter should also make the team, but he needs to show in camp he is fully healthy.

It is a tossup out of the other receivers on who makes the final roster. They all bring something different to the table, from speed, to size and to the system they played in college.

Out of the cornerbacks, only Tramaine Brock is the odds-on candidate to make the team. Dontae Johnson should make the team based on his play (and height), whereas Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser are fully on the bubble — neither of them have shown consistent or play-making success at the NFL level yet. The rookies are nipping at their heels.

Will Redmond will make the team — but he will probably start the year on the PUP or the NFI list. It would be a surprise to not see Rashard Robinson make the team — he has the height and speed to be a major factor. Prince Charles Iworah has the speed, but looks to be too far down the depth chart and seems a logical player to be on the practice squad.

Who will be the right tackle? It is the only position with a question. The return of Davis adds a new wrinkle. Will he be in shape? How quickly can he learn the offensive scheme? It still seems a battle between Erik Pears (shudder) and Trenton Brown for the starting role. I’d prefer Brown, but at his size can he be conditioned enough to start?

December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) blocks San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The rookies in Fahn Cooper and John Theus should make the final roster for depth purposes. The 49ers have had a poor injury run in recent seasons from the O-line so the depth is required.

There is a good chance the under-performing Marcus Martin won’t make the final roster, and Ian Silberman is hanging on by the narrowest thread. The remaining players, mostly made up by the UDFAs, won’t make the team but are good candidates for the practice squad.

Whatever happens, these guys need to be conditioned to keep up in the Kelly offense. As mentioned earlier, he wants plays snapped within 20 seconds per play.

Stopwatch, anyone?

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