49ers 53-man roster predictions after 2022 preseason finale

With the NFL preseason complete and final rosters due by 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 30, this may be the most challenging roster to trim for the San Francisco 49ers yet. Plenty of depth pieces could contribute to the team and some of the rookies of the 2022 NFL draft have shown a lot of promise in the preseason games.

This is one guess on what the final 53-man roster will look like.

49ers roster prediction: Quarterbacks

Trey Lance, Nate Sudfeld (2)

Not much to write home about this one. Trey is the clear-cut starter for the team and everyone will see if he’s worth the number three overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft.

49ers roster prediction:  Running backs

Elijah Mitchell, Ty-Davis Price, Trey Sermon, Jeff Wilson Jr., Kyle Juszczyk (5)

Undrafted free agent Jordan Mason could easily replace Trey Sermon in terms of talent and what he is able to contribute to the team. I believe Sermon will be on the final roster due to where he was picked in the draft. JaMychal Hasty is also someone that I could possibly see making the final roster as well so this position group is something to keep an eye on Tuesday.

49ers roster prediction: Wide receivers

Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Danny Gray, Ray-Ray McCloud, Malik Turner (6)

Samuel and Aiyuk are obviously the number one and number two receiver on this team. Danny Gray has shown a lot of upsides and has the potential to take over Jennings’ position as the third option with Jennings’ drop issues keep on occurring. McCloud provides speed that Kyle Shanahan could utilize in the passing game while Turner helps out in the special team unit.

49ers roster prediction: Tight ends

George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, (3)

I’m going with the original three from last year to transfer into this year. Woerner helps out in the run game while Dwelley helps out in the passing game and will help Kittle do whatever he needs to in both aspects of the game. I expect Kittle to have a jump in the passing game this year due to Lance’s abilities.

49ers roster prediction: Offensive linemen

Trent Williams, Mike McGlinchey, Spencer Burford, Aaron Banks, Daniel Brunskill, Jake Brendel, Colton McKivitz, Jaylon Moore, Jason Poe (9)

Two rookie guards and a question mark at the center will be something everyone will either criticize or praise throughout the season. It’s going to be an up-and-down battle with those three positions as the tackle positions I’m not so worried about. Give Jason Poe one more year and he could start pushing for a starting position soon. He might be a quality backup option if it ever came to that.

49ers roster prediction: Defensive linemen

Nick Bosa, Drake Jackson, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Samson Ebukam, Kevin Givens, Charles Omenihu, Hassan Ridgeway, Kemoko Turay, Jordan Willis (10)

I had a bit of trouble figuring out who was going to be the odd man out on the defensive line. This position is just so stacked that I’m just not sure who to leave out.

Eventually, I ended up having Kerry Hyder Jr. being the guy but I think it could go either way with him and Hassan Ridgeway. I have extreme confidence that this is going to be the best defensive line in the entire NFL. Playing only the backups could end up being a top twenty defensive line and that’s still amazing.

49ers roster prediction: Linebackers

Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Oren Burks, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (5)

Warner, Greenlaw, and Al-Shaair could end up being a top-three linebacker trio in all of football. Burks and DFF provide much-needed depth at the position while still being quality backup options.

49ers roster prediction: Defensive backs

Charvarius Ward, Emmanuel Moseley, Jimmie Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, George Odum, Tarvarius Moore, Ambry Thomas, Deommodore Lenoir, Samuel Womack, (9)

I love the defensive backs’ depth this year a whole lot more than last year. Not having to scrape from the bottom of the free agency barrel is going to help out this defense go over the top more. Adding an above-average corner in Charvarius Ward will help bolster one side of the ball without having to rely on Dontae Johnson or Ambry Thomas who is still in development.

Jason Verrett is currently on the PUP list which would put him out for four weeks which is another lockdown corner the 49ers won’t have to rely on right now so Verrett can take his sweet time getting healthy.

49ers roster prediction: Special Teams

Robbie Gould, Taybor Pepper, Mitch Wishnowsky (3)

Not much to write here. The Three Muskateers are back again.