49ers 53-man roster predictions ahead of final wave of 2021 cuts

49ers Wide Receivers (6)

WR Deebo Samuel

WR Brandon Aiyuk

WR Mohamed Sanu

WR Trent Sherfield

WR Jauan Jennings

WR Jalen Hurd

This unit actually has gotten less complicated as the preseason has gone on, with veterans Mohamed Sanu and Trent Sherfield moving into the bucket of roster locks along with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

That means the other two receiver spots — assuming Kyle Shanahan opts to go with six players at the position — are fairly wide open, with a whole cast of guys attempting to make their case for being part of the initial 53-man roster.

By and large, this group ended up being largely the same as last time out, with notable alteration: Jalen Hurd has moved back onto the roster.

This isn’t necessarily because Hurd has done something massive to show himself ready to be an NFL-caliber wide receiver, although he did pull down four catches on six targets for 25 yards on Sunday, but because of the investment the 49ers made in him and how badly they want to see the former Baylor standout succeed in the league.

The options outside of Hurd aren’t inspiring. River Cracraft is back after being released due to the waiving of the injured Richie James, but he appears to be back mostly to fill a hole in that final preseason game roster. Nsimba Webster was an early camp riser, but he is the exact type of player who could use some seasoning on the practice squad.

And then the only other option, veteran speedster Travis Benjamin, left Sunday’s game with a concussion, placing some serious doubts on whether he’d be able to overcome an already shaky case for a roster spot.

Jauan Jennings has earned himself an opportunity to carve out a role for this team, but he could also serve as Hurd insurance in case the 49ers need to eventually cut bait on their former third-round draft pick.

This group, maybe more than any other this season, will be fluid as the season goes on without a doubt.