49ers: 5 Players Who Should Make 53-Man Roster but Won’t
Marcus Cromartie
San Francisco 49ers defensive back Marcus Cromartie was waived last September by the team and was later signed to the practice squad. After midseason injuries to cornerbacks Tramaine Brock and Kenneth Acker, Cromartie was promoted to the 53-man roster.
He was a viable option in the secondary and showed flashes of starter potential recording seven tackles against Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones in his only start.
Here’s the problem, according to SFGate.com’s Eric Branch:
#49ers DC Jim O'Neil said Jimmie Ward is starting CB with Tramaine Brock, but depth chart is "written in sand."
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) August 1, 2016
Veteran corner Tramaine Brock has been a consistent No. 2 option for the past couple of seasons, and there’s no denying third-year pro Jimmie Ward’s potential.
Sitting either of these cover men on the bench would be a mistake. These two are projected to be the starters in Week 1.
In this years NFL Draft, the 49ers selected cornerbacks Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson and Prince Charles Iworah. That’s not something a team does if they are happy with the group of players that they currently have.
Add in cornerbacks Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser and Kenneth Acker, who were selected in last years draft, and Cromartie is left without a spot.
Next: Tony Jerod-Eddie