5 surprising roster cuts 49ers could make after 2021 NFL Draft

No. 1: 49ers Safety Marcell Harris

Reserve safety Marcell Harris was already on the roster bubble before the NFL Draft kicked off, and his hold on a 53-man roster spot just got even more precarious after San Francisco selected former USC safety Talanoa Hufanga.

Like Harris, Hufanga projects best as a down-in-the-box safety. Unlike Harris, though, Hufanga actually has quite the upside in pass coverage. And while Hufanga’s playmaking abilities have generated some injuries to himself over the years, there’s certainly a much bigger ceiling with him than there probably ever was with Harris, who also dealt with injuries at the collegiate level.

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Namely an Achilles tear the season before Harris was drafted.

Either way, Harris would have been a question mark to make the 53-man roster this offseason anyway. Particularly with the 49ers re-signing the starter, Jaquiski Tartt, while also having Tarvarius Moore and Tavon Wilson competing for a roster spot. Including free safety Jimmie Ward while understanding the Niners probably would keep no more than four safeties anyway, Harris appeared to be an odd man out already.

Tack on Hufanga’s addition, and it’s almost guaranteed Harris will be off the roster sooner than later.