As the San Francisco 49ers move their way through training camp, Niner Noise takes a look at the 90-man roster and breaks down which players are on the roster bubble.
The San Francisco 49ers parted ways with wide receiver Bruce Ellington earlier this week, showing fringe players on the team’s 90-man roster aren’t exactly safe heading towards the preseason.
This is just one move before final roster cuts are made following the fourth preseason game. But we could expect more from San Francisco between now and then.
Previously, Niner Noise has looked at bubble-watch players in a pretty straightforward format. There are the strong-bubble guys, the weak bubble, long shots and the players with no chance.
Now, we have some training camp information off which to base an argument.
In this slideshow, we’ll break down players on the bubble in this format:
- strong bubble
- weak bubble
- long shot
- no chance
It’s similar to what was done before, although we’ll throw in a few curveballs here and there to see if anything shakes up between now and Week 1.
Let’s start off with the guys with zero shot.
Players with No Chance
- OL John Flynn
- OL Richard Levy
- OL Andrew Lauderdale
- FB Tyler McCloskey
- QB Nick Mullens
- K Nick Rose
The 49ers have a number of concerns along their offensive line this season, although someone like veteran guard Zane Beadles — capable of playing all three positions — might take away the need to add depth here.
All three of the Niners’ O-line candidates here are undrafted free agents, diminishing their chances to make the roster exponentially.
As in the case with John Flynn, this video from Jennifer Lee Chan of Niners Nation provides almost everything you need to know:
Fullback Tyler McCloskey might see some reps during the preseason, as San Francisco looks to keep presumed starter Kyle Juszczyk healthy and rested. But that’s it.
Neither quarterback Nick Mullens nor kicker Nick Rose have duties with the Niners outside of exhibition.
Long Shots
San Francisco 49ers
- TE Blake Bell
- WR DeAndre Carter
- CB Will Davis
- CB Zach Franklin
- CB Prince Charles Iworah
- DB Chanceller James
- OL Erik Magnuson
- RB Raheem Mostert
- WR Louis Murphy
- LB Donavin Newsom
- DT Noble Nwachukwu
- OL Norman Price
- OT John Theus
San Francisco has a few more realistic options within this crop of players, and a few have distinguished themselves somewhat during training camp.
One of the main concerns the team has is at cornerback. This opens up some real competition between defensive backs like Will Davis, Zach Franklin, Chanceller James and second-year pro, Prince Charles Iworah.
Iworah’s speed pushes him into this spot, although it’s a stretch to consider him a roster candidate.
But coverage skills are going to be what matters here, and Davis’ showing versus wide receiver Kendrick Bourne could earn him some consideration:
Returning veterans like running back Raheem Mostert and tight end Blake Bell find themselves at the bottom of their respective positions’ depth charts.
Neither figures to be a part of the team’s plans, barring injury.
Weak-Bubble Players
- C Tim Barnes
- RB Kapri Bibbs
- WR Aaron Burbridge
- TE Garrett Celek
- DB Adrian Colbert
- DB Don Jones
- WR Tim Patrick
- EDGE Pita Taumoepenu
- OL Darrell Williams Jr.
The 49ers brought in free-agent center Tim Barnes to compete with veterans Jeremy Zuttah and Daniel Kilgore, although it’s highly unlikely the Niners keep three players at this position.
Like Raheem Mostert, running back Kapri Bibbs finds himself at a crowded position. True, the 49ers did make a trade for him earlier this offseason, showing they might have some vested interest. And Bibbs offers special teams ability. Still, he’s on the far fringes of the roster right now.
The same could be said of tight end Garrett Celek.
Celek essentially is the same kind of player as fellow TE Logan Paulsen. Both are known primarily for their blocking abilities, and the 49ers likely won’t keep two No. 2-type tight ends on the roster, especially considering more promising threats like George Kittle and Cole Hikutini are turning heads.
Edge rusher Pita Taumoepenu is an interesting commodity. If San Francisco’s defensive front wasn’t so deep, Taumoepenu’s chances to make the roster would be pretty good.
He’s raw, so a spot on the practice squad would be ideal if he clears.
Strong-Bubble Players
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- LB Ray-Ray Armstrong
- EDGE Ronald Blair
- WR Victor Bolden
- WR Kendrick Bourne
- RB Matt Breida
- OL Garry Gilliam
- RB Tim Hightower
- DT D.J. Jones
- C Daniel Kilgore
- TE Vance McDonald
- WR Tim Patrick
- CB Will Redmond
- WR DeAndre Smelter
- S Vinnie Sunseri
San Francisco will have some tough decisions here as the team formulates its 53-man roster.
Linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong is no lock to make the roster, but his abilities in coverage might make him a stronger candidate to stick around this season. The same could be said of EDGE Ronald Blair, who also might be seen as a versatile piece within the front seven.
Earlier this offseason, one might not have thought running back Tim Hightower would make the 53-man roster. The 31-year-old veteran does have experience working in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but the age is a factor.
Yet the Niners have given Hightower first-team looks during camp, so that must count for something:
Tim Hightower took starting reps at RB today and made a few big plays. His stock has risen dramatically at 49ers camp
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) July 31, 2017
Players from the Trent Baalke era, like tight end Vance McDonald and cornerback Will Redmond, could see themselves elsewhere this season. McDonald was the subject of trade talks before the draft, but a strong camp could push him over one of the rookie options.
Meanwhile, Redmond is battling it out with free-agent pickup, K’Waun Williams, for slot duties. Maybe San Francisco wants to keep him around to see what he can do, but that will be a challenge.
Next: 49ers locks and bubble-watch players after the NFL Draft
Stay tuned to Niner Noise for ongoing coverage of training camp and the preseason!