4 recent 49ers draft picks who may be playing their last game today vs. Raiders

The 49ers have had some bad luck with recent NFL Draft picks, and these four recent draftees could be suiting up for the Niners for the final time.

The San Francisco 49ers will wrap up their 2024 NFL preseason campaign on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday night, a game that'll kick off on Aug. 23 at 10 p.m. ET from Allegiant Stadium.

Once the game is complete, the next order of business for head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. is to trim the 90-man preseason roster down to 53 players by Tuesday, Aug. 27, which means nearly half the Niners' current squad will be out of a job within a week's time.

While many cuts will be fairly obvious, namely players who merely stood in as training camp invitees, San Francisco will also be faced with cutting bait on recently drafted players who simply haven't lived up to expectations.

Yes, admitting a draft pick was a mistake is tough. But the worse option is continuing to believe an underachieving recent draftee will ultimately pan out when the likelihood suggests otherwise.

As such, these four players whom the 49ers grabbed in the NFL Draft over the last few years are probably donning the red and gold for the final time when both teams square off on Friday night.

No. 1: Tight end Cameron Latu

Second-year tight end Cameron Latu, selected in Round 3 of the 2023 draft, has had a tough go of things since being selected, struggling during his rookie training camp before suffering a knee injury that held him out of the entire year.

While Latu has modestly improved in year two, boasting five receptions for 42 yards over two preseason games, he appears to be well behind other backup tight ends on the Niners' depth chart, namely Eric Saubert, Brayden Willis and Jake Tonges. Additionally, San Francisco re-signing veteran tight end Logan Thomas doesn't bode well for Latu at all.

It might take a herculean effort from Latu against Vegas to hang around. But, by the signs of it, he'll be off the 49ers roster not long after Friday's game.

No. 2: Wide receiver Danny Gray

The Niners have plenty of question marks at wide receiver, magnified by Brandon Aiyuk's ongoing contract and trade drama and further exacerbated by rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall's nagging shoulder injury.

But there are still just one or two spots left on the wide receiver depth chart. And it doesn't appear as if third-year wide receiver Danny Gray will be in position to claim such a role.

Gray, a 2022 third-round draftee, has dealt with injuries and has just one catch for 10 yards to his name since going pro.

Mostly an afterthought this preseason, Gray's time with San Francisco appears to be coming to an unceremonious end.

No. 3: Cornerback Samuel Womack

The 49ers have fewer questions at cornerback, which makes things that much more precarious for third-year corner Samuel Womack, a 2022 Round 5 selection who impressed during the preseason his rookie year but since has tumbled down the depth chart.

Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Isaac Yiadom and rookie Renardo Green all appear poised as shoo-ins on the depth chart, leaving perhaps two more spots up for grabs.

Right now, one might conclude Womack is behind in the competition with others vying for jobs, namely Rock Ya-Sin and Darrrell Luter Jr., who'll probably round out the depth chart over the former.

No. 4: Wide receiver Ronnie Bell

Second-year pro Ronnie Bell had some promising moments his rookie year after being selected in Round 7 of the 2023 NFL Draft, including three touchdowns on just six receptions during that season's campaign.

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Considering the crowd at the back end of the wide receiver depth chart, though, Bell faces an uphill struggle to hang around in year two, and a multitude of gaffes and drops throughout the preseason haven't helped his cause.

At least the Niners have given Bell plenty of field time this preseason, which improves his slim chances.

However, with the recent emergence of 2024 rookie wideout Jacob Cowing in Week 2 of the preseason as a legitimate depth option, Bell's time with San Francisco is likely coming to a close and might not even be saved by a strong showing against the Raiders on Friday night.

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