49ers 2018 roster: Bubble-watch projections after preseason Week 3

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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys avoids the rush of Dekoda Watson #97 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Linebackers:

Elijah Lee: Strong chance (changed from weak chance)

Dekoda Watson: Weak chance (changed from strong chance)

Korey Toomer: Weak chance

Pita Taumoepenu: Weak chance

I don’t see any linebacker here that doesn’t have some chance to make the roster. The positional group has a new opportunity in the wake of the Eli Harold trade, and it might just take one impressive fortnight for any of these five to cement themselves on the depth chart.

Dekoda Watson can play both linebacker and defensive end (he’s named as a linebacker on the team but is on the depth chart on the defensive line), and he currently has the backup role. So it’s his to lose.

Korey Toomer probably has the best chance of the rest to make the cut, but if Elijah Lee or Pita Taumoepenu can get to the quarterback in the last two games at all, expect them to be in direct consideration too.

Post-game analysis:

Mark Nzeocha got the start and played well, so I’ve moved him from strong chance to a lock (and thus off the board above. Lee played well in the run game and gave his chances a good boost, and although I am confused about whether to put Watson as a linebacker or on the defensive line in this article, I’m going to put him as linebacker for now.

I’ve changed my stance on Lee and Watson, and swapped their stocks, respectively. I think Lee has the better chance to make the roster right now.