While the 49ers boasted an elite roster in 2023, these five players just didn't quite fit the bill and are probably best left regarded as busts.
The San Francisco 49ers don't have a ton of holes on their roster at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Having made the Super Bowl, the Niners are very much intact heading into 2024 and only need to address a handful of positions during the offseason. And while depth is always going to be a concern, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan should feel pretty good about their chances of keeping San Francisco in championship contention once again.
Despite the roster's strengths and successes, though, there are inevitably going to be some whiffs.
Here are a few that essentially proved to be no-gos, and these five players fell way short of hitting expectations.
No. 5: 49ers defensive end Drake Jackson
Edge Drake Jackson was a disappointment his rookie season after being selected in Round 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Notching three sacks that year and batting eight passes down, there was nevertheless hope that he would develop into something special despite being a healthy scratch down the stretch that year and into the playoffs.
Indeed, Jackson entered 2023 training camp looking significantly stronger and more athletic. After a three-sack game in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, all signs pointed to the former USC defender having a breakout-kind of year.
Except he didn't.
Those three sacks were all that Jackson managed, and the 49ers' pre-NFL trade deadline scrambling to trade for edges Randy Gregory and Chase Young were a significant vote of no-confidence in Jackson being an integral part of the Niners defense.
It seems as if Jackson is now poised to be little more than just a role player.
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No. 4: 49ers edge Austin Bryant
Expectations were surely lower for defensive end Austin Bryant, a castoff free-agent pickup by San Francisco heading into 2023.
However, considering the 49ers were sorely lacking pass-rushing depth after losing edges Samson Ebukam and Jordan Willis that same offseason, Bryant would at least have a fighter's chance to carve out a decent role on the depth chart.
He didn't, though.
Bryant failed to make the 53-man roster. Once he was added back on, he managed to appear in just two games, notching just one tackle in the process before being released again in November.
Perhaps the fourth-round pick from the 2019 draft will have another shot, though, as the Niners signed him to a reserve/futures contract for 2024.
Just don't expect much out of him.
No. 3: 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas
Young defensive backs often struggle transitioning to the NFL, and there are times when patience is key.
Such could help explain cornerback Ambry Thomas, the third-round pick from the 2021 draft who flashed some promise late during his rookie season but fell flat in 2022.
Granted, Thomas rebounded somewhat in 2023 and even managed to squeak into the starting lineup, thanks to some shifts within San Francisco's secondary. Yet he was still viewed as the weakest link within the 49ers' defensive backfield, allowing more than 70 percent of all targets his way to go for catches along with three touchdowns surrendered, all for an allowed passer rating of 97.9.
Thomas might still be a workable piece of the Niners' depth chart at the position until his contract expires after 2024, but it's pretty evident that he won't be much more than that.
No. 2: 49ers wide receiver Danny Gray
Wide receiver Danny Gray, the speedster selected in Round 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft, found himself in an odd spot when then-San Francisco quarterback Trey Lance suffered a broken ankle in Week 2 of Gray's rookie year.
After all, Gray was supposed to be the team's deep threat. No one else on the 49ers roster had the arm strength to take advantage of the receiver's speed, and he offered little else by way of skill set.
Gray's rookie year saw only one catch on seven targets. That was it. Heading into 2023, Kyle Shanahan noted that the wideout had made notable strides in year two and was threatening for a spot on a deep and talented depth chart that already included stars like Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
But injuries and other factors kept Gray from seeing the field at all during the regular season.
After a lengthy stint on injured reserve, the Niners opted not to activate Gray after opening a practice window late in the season, instead going with veteran wideout Chris Conley to round out the depth chart.
It's not a good future for Gray.
No. 1: 49ers cornerback Isaiah Oliver
One of San Francisco's more notable offseason free-agent pickups was veteran cornerback Isaiah Oliver, who was poised to take over the nickel back role in 2023 after inking a two-year deal worth $6.75 million, $2.91 million of which was guaranteed.
Early signs weren't encouraging, as Oliver was one of the handful of projected starters who found himself playing late in preseason games.
A number of issues plagued Oliver early in the season, too. He was credited with eight missed tackles, while he also allowed opposing quarterbacks to toss three touchdowns with a 101.0 passer rating when targeting him.
The net result forced the 49ers to bench Oliver in favor of Deommodore Lenoir moving from the boundary to the slot, which also meant Ambry Thomas would be a starter.
It's hard to see Oliver stick around into year two of his contract.