49ers' final 53-man roster prediction with NFL preseason complete
By John Porter
Skill Positions
Running Back/Fullback (5) - Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, Elijah Mitchell, Isaac Guerendo, Kyle Juszczyk
These cuts aren't difficult. It's the four best running backs on the team and the eternal, inevitable fullback in Kyle Juszczyk. The only storyline here was Isaac Guerendo's injury and missed time, but he showed enough in Friday's preseason game with the Las Vegas Raiders (both at running back, and crucially, on special teams as a returner) to have kept his spot.
It probably helped him that none of Cody Schrader, Patrick Taylor, Matt Breida or Ke'Shawn Vaughan made this decision difficult either; neither standing out at any point during preseason action.
Juszczyk continues on like Old Man River. His spot wasn't even in question or being competed for.
Wide Receiver (6) - Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing, Ricky Pearsall, Chris Conley
Remember this mantra for some of these cuts: NFL teams, particularly the teams contending, as the 49ers expect to do, are conservative. For that reason, it's the obvious five (the top three wideouts and the two newest draft picks), and then Chris Conley, who is having an Indian summer to his career with San Francisco. His hard work, versatility, and consistency on special teams earn him the last spot, as neither Ronnie Bell or Danny Gray could impress enough to push him off the roster.
Unless Pearsall goes on the PUP list, which isn't projected here, neither of them is making the active roster. One or more of the cuts, even a guy like Robbie Chosen, could be on the practice squad. Bell likely has the inside track to that.
Tight End (4) - George Kittle, Eric Saubert, Brayden Willis, Cameron Latu
This is the first tough one on this projection. George Kittle has a spot until his legs fall off, and Eric Saubert has parlayed his yeoman's effort as a blocker into a roster spot. But beyond that, things get a little murky.
The 49ers have traditionally kept four tight ends, so that's been stuck to here. But the difficult decisions are around which of the final few to keep.
It's probably a year too early for Mason Pline, and Logan Thomas hasn't added enough value, but Brayden Willis, Cameron Latu and Jake Tonges are all battling for Nos. 3 and 4. Willis' versatility has likely insulated him from any problems, meaning that Tonges is battling it straight out with former third-rounder Latu.
The 49ers are likely to take the bet on potential and stick with Latu, although Tonges has arguably had the better offseason.