San Francisco 49ers: Analyzing the 53 man roster for 2022

49ers roster: Defense/Special Teams

Defensive Line (9): Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Samson Ebukam, Kevin Givens, Drake Jackson, Charles Omenihu, Hassan Ridgeway, Kerry Hyder

The deepest positional group on the roster with the possible exception of the running back corps, Nick Bosa headlines the group with Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw and Samson Ebukam the other starters on a stacked defensive line.

The backups are pretty good in their own right. Rookie Drake Jackson showed exciting potential as an EDGE who can also rush on the interior, while the team has an array of players who can fill in as a pass-rusher such as Charles Omenihu and Kerry Hyder.

Note: EDGE Jordan Willis did not make the initial roster, but is expected as of writing to be signed to it once Curtis Robinson and Jimmie Ward are moved to injured reserve.

Linebackers (6): Fred Warner, Azeez Al-Shaair, Dre Greenlaw, Oren Burks, Curtis Robinson*, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

The 49ers will welcome back their starting linebackers in Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, with Azeez Al-Shaair coming in when they need a third linebacker.

Oren Burks performed well in the preseason and will lead the backups with Curtis Robinson and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles rounding out the group.

Note: Although Robinson made the team, he will be moved to injured reserve to start the season.

Cornerbacks (5): Charvarius Ward, Emmanuel Moseley, Samuel Womack, Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas

The team would like to have Jason Verrett on the roster but they’re taking a long term view to his health by putting him on injured reserve so Charvarius Ward and Emmanuel Moseley will be starting on the outside with rookie Samuel Womack in the slot.

2021 draft picks Deommodore Lenoir and Ambry Thomas finish the group, with the latter being able to play both on the outside and in the slot as a versatile backup.

Safeties (4): Talanoa Hufanga, Jimmie Ward*, George Odum, Tarvarius Moore

Jimmie Ward will be moved to injured reserve to start the season, so George Odum will probably be pushed into action as a starter opposite to whoever the 49ers designate as the winner of the Talanoa Hufanga/Tarvarius Moore battle for the strong safety position.

Safety is by far the weakest position on the team with Ward’s imminent move to the injured list but the team will be hoping they can make do until his return.

Special Teams: Mitch Wishnowsky, Robbie Gould, Taybor Pepper

No shocks here, as all three of the core special teams players return to the team for 2022 and fans will definitely have no issues with that.