Niner Noise
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Predicting 10 players who make 49ers practice squad in 2019

By Peter Panacy

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 09: A San Francisco 49ers player carries his helmet before their game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park on December 9, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 09: A San Francisco 49ers player carries his helmet before their game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park on December 9, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 20: Wide receiver Shawn Poindexter #19 of the Arizona Wildcats makes a touchdown catch as defensive back Colin Samuel #10 of the UCLA Bruins looks back at the play during the first half of the NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl on October 20, 2018 in Pasadena, California. The Bruins defeated the Wildcats 31-30. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 20: Wide receiver Shawn Poindexter #19 of the Arizona Wildcats makes a touchdown catch as defensive back Colin Samuel #10 of the UCLA Bruins looks back at the play during the first half of the NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl on October 20, 2018 in Pasadena, California. The Bruins defeated the Wildcats 31-30. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

Once final roster cuts are made in late August, the San Francisco 49ers will have the chance to add 10 eligible players to their 2019 practice squad. Let’s predict who winds up getting named here.

Aug. 31, 2019 will be a crucial date for the San Francisco 49ers and the remaining 31 teams across the NFL.

At 4 p.m. ET on that day, teams are forced to trim their offseason rosters down to 53 players. Just like that, rosters are cut nearly in half.

And many an NFL-career dream will come to a close.

Yet there are a handful of players each year, who don’t make a regular-season roster, but are fortunate enough to hang around on the practice squad. The league now allows for 10 such players, who are often viewed as developmental talents, possibly capable of greater roles and impact at some point down the road.

Plus, they help as scout-team players and, at times, emergency call-ups. One such example, Niners quarterback Nick Mullens, went from a practice squad player at the beginning of 2018 to a quality starter by the end of the season.

There are eligibility rules, of course, and our friends over at Niners Nation explained how these work under the current collective bargaining agreement. A key point to recognize is the “accrued season,” which counts after a sixth game on an active roster during a season. Placing eligible players on the practice squad isn’t as simple as, let’s say, MLB’s demotion to the minor leagues (that’s complicated, too, at times). Players have to clear waivers first, and that period starts immediately after roster cuts are made and lasts until clubs can form practice squads a day later, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. ET.

So, who makes the 49ers practice squad in 2019? Let’s offer up our 10 predictions.