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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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December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Chris Davis (20) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Chris Davis (20) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: CB Chris Davis

San Francisco has a deep crop of cornerbacks competing for a few slots this season, and likely few depth-chart predictions are listing former Auburn corner Chris Davis as a likely candidate to make the 53-man roster.

But this could change, as the 49ers are entertaining a variety of options — per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee — to hold down the role of nickel corner.

Davis saw 12 games’ worth of action with the San Diego Chargers in 2014 and managed to get into one game with the 49ers last year.

Here’s what defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil had to say about Davis, courtesy of David Fucillo of Niners Nation:

"He’s smart, tough, makes plays. He does a good job executing the coverages. So, he had a really good spring. He’s a guy that kind of popped off the tape. So, he’s one of the guys I’m really looking forward to seeing how he progresses through training camp with the pads on."

This possibility opened up due to third-year defensive back Jimmie Ward being shifted to the outside-corner position.

And if rookie Will Redmond and third-year corner Keith Reaser don’t make the grade, perhaps Davis earns the nod in 2016.

Next: No. 3: WR DiAndre Campbell