49ers vs. Raiders: 3 bubble players who improved roster chances

The 49ers wrapped up their 2021 preseason game against the Raiders, and these three bubble players helped their roster chances.

The San Francisco 49ers‘ 2021 preseason campaign is now over following their 34-10 win at Levi’s Stadium over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.

Now, head coach Kyle Shanahan is faced with the arduous task of determining which of his 80 players will be named to the regular-season 53-man roster. And subsequently, the 16-man practice squad, too.

While the Niners featured plenty of their starters early in the game, breaking with what Shanahan had done over San Francisco’s first two preseason bouts, the nature of exhibition games is to feature players who are on the bubble. If anything, this could be the final chance for many to show what they can offer to Shanahan and the 49ers’ regular-season roster.

Some players on the bubble, such as wide receiver Jalen Hurd, arguably hurt their slim chances. In Hurd’s case, multiple drops won’t bode well for his chances. The same could be said for running back Elijah Mitchell, who had a gaffe on a handoff with quarterback Trey Lance and was later flagged for a false start, even though Mitchell managed some solid rushes elsewhere during the game.

Others, however, showcased some solid playmaking abilities and are probably feeling a bit better about themselves with roster cuts looming.

This will be important. Shanahan will have less than 48 hours to make his final decisions, and it might be how these three players finished that’ll ultimately determine whether or not the Niners want to keep them around into Week 1.