3 players who are tumbling off the depth chart after 49ers preseason Week 2

These three 49ers didn't exactly solidify themselves a roster spot in the wake of preseason Week 2 against the Saints.

The San Francisco 49ers are two-thirds of the way through their 2024 preseason campaign following a 16-10 exhibition victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night, which means they're only one game away from having to make some awfully tough roster decisions in advance of the regular season.

Some of those decisions are going to be easier than others.

While the game produced a number of standouts, including quarterback Joshua Dobbs and wide receiver Jacob Cowing, other Niners didn't exactly solidify themselves a roster spot with strong showings.

Considering how stacked San Francisco's roster is, these three players likely just put themselves in clear danger of being cut prior to Week 1.

Wide receiver Ronnie Bell

Of all the game's underachievers, second-year wide receiver Ronnie Bell probably wishes he produced at a much better pace to keep up with what's turning into a heated competition for one of only two or three spots on the depth chart.

Bell had his chances, getting a game-high seven targets but hauling in only two receptions for 15 yards while also running an incorrect route on one incomplete pass and turning the wrong shoulder on another pass that could have gone for a touchdown.

Paired with drops this preseason, Bell is clearly losing the competition to fellow wide receiver Jacob Cowing, who made an impressive exhibition debut with a team-high 51 yards receiving on four catches.

Wide receiver Danny Gray

Third-year wide receiver Danny Gray is very much in the same group as Bell, losing the competition to land a spot at the back end of the depth chart, and the former's efforts on Sunday night didn't do much of anything to improve his chances.

Gray has similar speed as Cowing, but the former lacks the hands to serve as a reliable target, which was more than evident on two of his three targets during the game.

Granted, Gray managed to reel in one that bounced off his hands and up into the air. But he dropped another, highlighting a problem the 2022 third-round pick has had since his collegiate days at SMU.

Relegated to a late-game preseason player now, it's hard to see Gray making his way onto the 53-man roster now.

Cornerback Samuel Womack

The 49ers appear to have a preference of rookie Renardo Green over the third-year pro, Samuel Womack, at nickel cornerback.

In support of the starter, Deommodore Lenoir, Green's versatility will matter, while Womack is becoming an afterthought, not helped by his efforts against New Orleans aside from one particular hard-hitting tackle.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Saints regularly targeted Womack and completed five of their eight passes against him for 38 yards, which is a good indicator of him being viewed as the primary weakness when on the field.

The Niners have plenty of other options for their secondary, and it doesn't appear as if Womack will be one of them heading into the regular season.

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