49ers: 5 players who could be cut during 2019 offseason

San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who could be cut during 2019 offseason

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Thomas Rawls #34 of the Seattle Seahawks gains yardage in the first quarter against nosetackle Earl Mitchell #90 of the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Defensive Tackle Earl Mitchell

Niner Noise alluded to the idea second-year nose tackle D.J. Jones and not the veteran, Earl Mitchell, should see the lion’s share of snaps in base downs over the remainder of 2018.

After all, Jones is significantly younger and has a much higher upside at this point in his career.

The 49ers signed Mitchell to a four-year, $16 million contract early in 2017. While San Francisco isn’t exactly approaching salary cap hell this offseason, parting ways with the 31-year-old veteran would save $2.95 million next year at a cost of $1.5 million in dead money.

And it would free up Jones to assume a starter’s role in base defenses.

Mitchell is one of those cases where poor performance isn’t the reason for being cut. Instead, it’s about developing the younger players in which San Francisco has more invested for the future.