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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting 5 Long Shots Who Make the 2016 53-Man Roster

By Peter Panacy

Nov 28, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Devon Cajuste (89) catches a pass as Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Cole Luke (36) defends in the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Devon Cajuste (89) catches a pass as Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Cole Luke (36) defends in the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Francisco 49ers have a large number of roster spots up for grabs as the 2016 NFL season approaches. While a good few are likely going to make the cut, Niner Noise looks at some long shots who might surprise all by making the 53-man regular-season roster.

Oct 4, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Marcus Rush (44) hurries the throw of Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MSU won 27-22. Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Marcus Rush (44) hurries the throw of Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MSU won 27-22. Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, and certainly few 100-percent-accurate predictions will come true when evaluating the 2016 San Francisco 49ers.

We know this — the Niners will have to trim their current 90-man offseason roster down to 75 players after three weeks of preseason action. The final round of cuts, which will put the team at 53 players, will take place just before Week 1 of the regular season.

The starting cast of offensive line players is likely set, so those guys will make the cut. And we can probably predict how the defensive line and linebacker starting groups pan out.

But what about the rest?

Instead of focusing on who should make the cut, let’s dive a little deeper and try to predict some roster surprises. Yes, guys who otherwise might not find themselves on a 53-man roster but, for one reason or another, could wind up actually being on the field for regular-season action this year.

These are your dark-horse, bubble-watch candidates. And all of them should probably be considered such.

And yet each player listed has more than a handful of reasons why he makes the cut.

Next: No. 5: OL Alex Balducci