5 San Francisco 49ers who won’t make 53-man roster in 2024
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Linebacker Jalen Graham
As they did at tight end last year, the 49ers stockpiled some extra linebackers via the NFL Draft by adding Dee Winters and Jalen Graham on day three.
Winters saw modest action over the course of 15 regular-season games, while Graham appeared in just four games and seems to be far down the pecking order at the position.
Speaking of the linebacker position, it's very fluid entering 2024. Fred Warner is the undisputed No. 1 on the depth chart, but Dre Greenlaw is still working his way back from a torn Achilles suffered in the Super Bowl last February. As insurance, the Niners added All-Pro De'Vondre Campbell and also re-signed depth backer Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.
Tack on Ezekiel Turner and Curtis Robinson, it's looking awfully crowded at the position. If Greenlaw is good to go by Week 1, the chances of both Winters and Graham surviving the cut is awfully slim.
Of the two, Winters seems to be the preferred candidate, which means Graham winds up off the roster altogether.