An early look at 5 players on the 49ers’ 2019 roster bubble

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 01: Joshua Garnett #65 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after Shaun Draughn #24 of the San Francisco 49ers ran in for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 01: Joshua Garnett #65 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after Shaun Draughn #24 of the San Francisco 49ers ran in for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 15: K’Waun Williams #24 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a defensive stop during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 15: K’Waun Williams #24 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a defensive stop during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Cornerback K’Waun Williams

Another player facing what could be a stiff camp battle in 2019 is veteran nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams.

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Williams, who had up-and-down moments over the course of 2018, will see his challengers in the forms of fellow corners D.J. Reed and the newly acquired Jason Verrett. Williams, 27 years old, holds the experience edge over Reed and the durability factor over Verrett.

That said, Verrett is far more an explosive player when healthy, and Reed is certainly a cheaper option, as he’s still on his late-round rookie contract.

If Williams fails to make the 53-man roster, it will cost the 49ers $1.5 million in dead money with just over $1 million in cap savings. And considering the injury worries surrounding Verrett, combined with the inconsistency and attrition the Niners dealt with in their secondary, one would guess Williams stands a very good chance to stick around this season.

Yet Williams still has to be considered on the roster bubble heading into training camp, even if it’s on the stronger side.