Which players are on 49ers' roster bubble following 2024 NFL Draft?
Niner Noise looks at which 49ers players are on the roster bubble with the 2024 NFL Draft now in the books.
By Peter Panacy
49ers bubble watch: Secondary
Lock: Charvarius Ward, Renardo Green*, Deommodore Lenoir, Malik Mustapha*, Ji'Ayir Brown, George Odum
Strong bubble: Darrell Luter Jr., Samuel Womack, Rock Ya-Sin, Isaac Yiadom, Tayler Hawkins, Talanoa Hufanga
Weak bubble: Chase Lucas, Ambry Thomas, Erik Harris
Long shot: Kemon Hall, Jaylen Mahoney*, Ryan Poole*
Plenty of intrigue within the defensive backfield, as rookie draftees Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha look to make their impact felt right away.
Green could potentially push either Rock Ya-Sin or Isaac Yiadom out of a starting job opposite Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, but Ya-Sin and Yiadom each carry more than $1 million in guaranteed money apiece, which is a good indicator they'll make the 53-man roster unless they flop in camp.
In Mustapha's case, he could challenge for a starting job if fourth-year pro Talanoa Hufanga isn't quite recovered from last year's ACL tear, which still puts his availability for Week 1 in doubt.
Would the Niners opt to shelve Hufanga on an injury list to open up the season so they could save that roster spot for someone they like but hasn't made a substantial impact yet, say, Tayler Hawkins or Darrell Luter Jr.?
Hufanga's recovery will be something to watch this offseason.