3 players who locked up a roster spot after 49ers' Week 1 preseason game

The San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 of the preseason. We did not see many of the team's starters play, but we got to see a lot of reserve players.

These three Niners, in particular, locked up a roster spot with their play.

Brandon Allen looked solid in Week 1 of preseason

Quarterback Brandon Allen spent all of last season as the team's emergency third-string quarterback. If everything goes according to plan, the 49ers will never need to use him in a regular-season game.

Yet, Niners fans are far too familiar with a team being in desperate need of a third quarterback.

Allen looked solid under center. He completed 7-of-13 passes for 98 yards in the first half and had some clutch throws on third down. He should have had even more yardage as he hit wide receiver Ronnie Bell in the numbers from his own end zone down the field, but Bell dropped the easy pass.

The Niners do not need their emergency QB to be perfect but merely competent.

Allen looked extremely competent in Saturday night's contest which should ensure that he reprises his role as the emergency quarterback this season for the team at the very least.

Jordan Mason looked unstoppable

The Niners offense looked solid on their opening drive. Running back Jordan Mason, in particular, was effective running the ball as he had six carries for 34 yards including a 4-yard rush for a touchdown to cap off the drive.

With Elijah Mitchell being the primary backup when healthy, and with the team drafting running back Isaac Guerendo, there was certainly some question as to what that would mean for Mason's status on the roster.

Yet, with Mitchell's persistent injury struggles, this could be the year that Mason asserts himself as the main backup behind All-Pro Christian McCaffrey. Mason has looked solid in his first two years as a pro.

Perhaps year three is where he moves up the depth chart and becomes the primary guy who gives McCaffrey a breather.

Dee Winters made some big tackles

On defense, linebacker Dee Winters stood out. He made an impressive goal-line tackle on Titans quarterback Will Levis, although the tackle was negated due to a penalty committed by cornerback Ambry Thomas.

Winters also had an impressive tackle for a loss in the first half.

He had an injury scare in the first half as well, but thankfully he did not miss a snap and was good to go after that. With linebackers Fred Warner, De'Vondre Campbell, and (when healthy) Dre Greenlaw ahead of him on the depth chart, Winters was a guy who may have been in an uncertain spot if he had a rough training camp and preseason.

Yet, he has done well in training camp and made some good plays in preseason action, which may not only guarantee him a roster spot but could also earn him some playing time if he keeps it up.

It was just a preseason game, but these three players did a lot to ensure they would make the 53-man roster with their solid performances against Tennessee.

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