Niner Noise
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Final Projections for the 49ers’ 53-man Roster

By Nicholas McGee

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) poses for photographs with fans following the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) poses for photographs with fans following the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Anthony Davis (76) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Anthony Davis (76) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Line

Active Roster: Joe Staley, Zane Beadles, Daniel Kilgore, Anthony Davis, Trent Brown, Joshua Garnett, Andrew Tiller, Fahn Cooper, Colin Kelly

Cut: Alex Balducci, Marcus Martin, Norman Price, John Theus

The 49ers’ offensive line has been the revelation of their preseason campaign.

After a dreadful 2015 for the O-Line, this now looks a physically imposing group with a blend of youth and experience and one capable of buying the quarterback time as well as creating holes for the run game.

Trent Brown has enjoyed an outstanding training camp and preseason, locking down the right tackle spot and forcing the returning Anthony Davis to kick inside to the unfamiliar role of right guard.

Davis seems to have adapted well to that position and, with Daniel Kilgore at center, the only question among the starters is whether Zane Beadles or Joshua Garnett will play at left guard.

San Francisco now appears to have depth up front, Andrew Tiller was unfortunate to be supplanted by Davis following his emergence last term, and Fahn Cooper and Colin Kelly – the latter capable of playing center as well as tackle – both have swing tackle value.

The versatility of Cooper and Kelly figures to give them the edge in the battle for the final spots on the depth chart, with center Marcus Martin set to be the most high-profile casualty as the former third-round pick continues to struggle even against second stringers.

Next: Defensive Line