Inaugural 49ers 53-man roster prediction with 2024 NFL Draft now complete

The Front Seven

Defensive Line

Nick Bosa, Maliek Collins, Kalia Davis, Jordan Elliott, Leonard Floyd, Kevin Givens, Yetur Gross-Matos, Javon Hargrave (8)

This is another crowded position, although, surprisingly, not one the 49ers added to in the draft for the first time in what felt like a while.

Most of these are free-agent additions of the last few years, which doesn't actually say a lot for the draft capital invested at the position. My current projection may actually be defensive tackle heavy, and if so, I'd expect Davis to actually be replaced by another "edge," possibly Robert Beal, although he's yet to show much in the NFL.

Drake Jackson is likely to open the season either on NFI or PUP, so he isn't included here either. There's definitely an opportunity here for someone to stake a claim to a spot if they can flash in preseason, as this is a unit strong on quality but weak on depth, barring a Kris Kocurek reclamation project.

Linebackers

De'Vondre Campbell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Jalen Graham, Fred Warner, Dee Winters (5)

This position is complicated by the injury to Dre Greenlaw, who I'd expect to either begin the season on PUP or IR, depending on how his recovery is looking by training camp. If he has to be put on IR, he'll have to make the initial 53, so there may be some musical chairs at this position, most likely involving the younger players like Graham or Winters.

Ultimately, one of these will also go when Greenlaw is ready to return, and depending on Graham and Winters' development, my money may actually be on Flannigan-Fowles, who has retained a roster spot but often played poorly when called open in the starting defense.

Seventh-round choice Tatum Bethune is on the outside looking in here, but with a good camp and solid play on special teams, he may ease one of the vulnerable three (Flannigan-Fowles, Graham and Winters) off the roster.

I'd expect Campbell to make the roster easily given his experience.