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

The Secondary

Cornerback

Renardo Green, Deommodore Lenoir, Darrell Luter Jr, Ambry Thomas, Charvarius Ward, Rock Ya-Sin, Isaac Yiadom (7)

Seven might be too many here, but I'm looking at the future when I map this one out with Ward and Lenoir, among others, free agents at the end of the season, the 49ers play it safe and keep hold of some talent here.

Green, having been picked in the second round, is a lock, whereas I would back Isaac Yiadom and Rock Ya-Sin, two veteran free agents, to hold down roster spots and provide depth to a secondary that has often lacked it, especially since one or more should allow Lenoir to hold his best position in the slot.

So that already puts us at five.

The battle for the later spots comes down to a four-way battle for two spots. Samuel Womack, Luter and Ambry Thomas as former draftees, and Chase Lucas as the flyer free-agency signing. I've ended up backing Luter, as I believe all the chatter out of the team suggests that they view him highly, and he did appear in seven games last season.

Thomas, on the other hand, always seems to have a tenuous hold on a roster spot, and his up-and-down play frequently infuriates 49er fans. I expect Womack to push both he and Luter hard for a spot, but he's yet to really nail down a spot in the defense (let alone whether he plays outisde or nickel), which may count against him.

If Luter and Womack both take steps forward this offseason, then Thomas could be in huge trouble.

Safety

Ji'Ayir Brown, Talanoa Hufanga, Malik Mustapha, George Odum (4)

This picture became less murky yesterday, when Mustapha was selected in the fourth round out of Wake Forest. Prior to that, the Niners were carrying a second-year Brown, injured Hufanga, and special-teamer in Odum into the season.

Not the best in terms of experienced starting NFL depth.

I suppose the experience level hasn't improved, but Hufanga looks likely to make training camp, and Brown was pretty excellent at the back end of the season, baffling benching for Logan Ryan aside.

Mustapha's early ticket to playing time is either to flash in Hufanga's continued absence, and/or to impress on special teams. If he does the latter, George Odum's hold on a spot might be tenuous, particularly if Tayler Hawkins continues his upward trajectory following an impressive first start last year against the Rams.

I still wouldn't be surprised to see a veteran come in here, be it Tashaun Gipson for one last ride, or an unsigned player like Justin Simmons, likely after the NFL compensatory picks deadline, because the talent level here could still use a shot in the arm, particularly with the inexperience and injury questions abounding.

The Specialists

Jake Moody, Mitch Wishnowsky, Taybor Pepper (3)

No real drama here, although eyes will definitely be on Moody again following an up-and-down rookie season.

What do you think the 49ers 53-man roster will ultimately be?

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