49ers roster: 5 veterans who may not make 53-man group in 2020

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C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

These five veterans may not make the 49ers roster of 53 players in 2020.

The San Francisco 49ers roster in 2020 looks a lot like it did this time last offseason.

Yes, there were some notable changes, including major transactions sending away Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and left tackle Joe Staley’s retirement. Newcomers like Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams and rookie defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw stand to make up for those losses, while an additional array of NFL Draft picks and free-agent signings help shore up other areas of need.

But each team every offseason strives to improve in as many ways as possible. And with new bodies in town for this year’s training camp, there’s always the reality some incumbent veterans have to go.

The Niners already made two examples of this during the draft, trading away running back Matt Breida and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin to the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively.

Which other well-known veterans could see their tenures on the 49ers roster come to an end before the regular season kicks off?

No. 5: C.J. Beathard could lose a QB battle on 49ers roster

Last year, head coach Kyle Shanahan elected to keep three quarterbacks on his 53-man roster: Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard.

Beathard lost the competition to be Garoppolo’s primary backup, ultimately remaining inactive for all 16 regular-season games and into the playoffs. Combine that with his 1-9 record since being drafted in Round 3 of the 2017 NFL Draft, and Beathard’s stock value going forward has never been lower.

Competition at other positions in training camp, along with the fact Beathard is entering a contract year, could prompt Shanahan to save that roster spot for another player with more value to the team’s Super Bowl chances.

It’s not likely Beathard has much trade value, if any at all, meaning his time on the 49ers roster could come to a swift end if he again loses the backup battle to Mullens in training camp and the preseason.