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

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San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Linebackers (5)

MLB Fred Warner

WLB Dre Greenlaw

SLB Azeez Al-Shaair

LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

LB Justin Hilliard

This group is also a relatively easy one, with the top four players seemingly locked into their positions both on the roster and on the depth chart.

All-Pro middle linebacker Fred Warner will start next to former fifth-round draft pick Dre Greenlaw, with former undrafted free agent Azeez Al-Shaair sliding into the SAM linebacker position and playing only in base defense, while otherwise serving as a key special teamer.

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles will return as a depth linebacker and special teamer, mostly as depth for Greenlaw and Al-Shaair.

The question becomes who takes on the fifth linebacker slot, someone who may not even end up being active on game days, but if he is, will mostly serve as a special teams player on kickoffs and punt coverage.

The 49ers could opt to keep converted safety Marcell Harris in this group, although he is a little redundant to Flannigan-Fowles, himself a converted safety out of Arizona.

That basically leaves a trio of young players to vie for the spot, with Mychal Kendricks being moved to IR after suffering an injury in the game in Los Angeles against the Chargers: rookies Justin Hilliard and Elijah Sullivan and second-year man Jonas Griffith.

The nod, although only slightly, goes to Hilliard, who the 49ers thought highly enough of to offer a fairly substantial signing bonus and salary guarantee after the draft in April.

Hilliard has played snaps in Warner’s stead this preseason, which gives him another leg up. The final spot is definitely up for grabs, but Hilliard’s contributions might be enough to earn him a shot at the roster.