Matt Maiocco's 53-man Roster Projection After 49ers' Preseason Win Vs. Raiders

Matt Maiocco's 53-man roster projection after 49ers' preseason win vs. Raiders originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Time is running out.

A good portion of the spots on the 49ers’ regular-season roster remain unsettled. Injury concerns are certain to shape many of the decisions, as San Francisco heads to the final stretch of the preseason.

The team has just three more practices and a final preseason game this week.

The 49ers close out the exhibition season with a Saturday night game against Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium.

After that, coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch must hammer out the team’s initial 53-man roster by Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.

Here is a look at the team’s projected 53-man roster heading into this final week:

Quarterback (2)

Brock Purdy

Mac Jones

*Non-football injury — Kurtis Rourke (knee)

Overview: The 49ers should keep two QBs on their 53-man roster and have a third on the practice squad. They can bring back Carter Bradley, Tanner Mordecai or attempt to sign a QB who was released elsewhere at the final cuts. It makes more sense for the 49ers to keep an extra player at another position than to keep a third QB just to keep a third QB.

Running back (6)

Christian McCaffrey

Kyle Juszczyk

Isaac Guerendo

Patrick Taylor

Jordan James

Corey Kiner

Overview: Injuries to Guerendo, James, Taylor and Kiner make the running back picture murky at the start of the season. The 49ers recently signed Jeff Wilson and Ke’Shawn Vaughn when that group was getting thin. Then, Taylor went down with a dislocated shoulder and Kiner experienced a high-ankle sprain Saturday against the Raiders. For now, we have the 49ers going heavy at running back to give them more options at the backup spots early in the season.

Wide receiver (4)

Jauan Jennings

Ricky Pearsall

Jordan Watkins

Jacob Cowing

*PUP — Brandon Aiyuk (knee)

*Possible suspension — Demarcus Robinson

Overview: This is a little outside-the-box thinking, but in this scenario, the 49ers keep these four receivers to open the season. Then, they can try to have Russell Gage, Robbie Chosen and Isaiah Hodgins on the practice squad. They can elevate at least one of those receivers for how many ever games they are needed if, in fact, Robinson must serve a suspension. Aiyuk should be able to return to action before the mid-point of the season.

Tight end (4)

George Kittle

Luke Farrell

Brayden Willis

Jake Tonges

Overview: The 49ers cleared up this position group with the decision last week to release veteran Ross Dwelley. They usually keep four tight ends, and they have only four in training camp right now.

Offensive line (9)

Trent Williams

Dominick Puni

Colton McKivitz

Jake Brendel

Ben Bartch

Spencer Burford

Nick Zakelj

Austen Pleasants

Connor Colby

*Suspension – Isaac Alarcon

Overview: After a couple of good weeks, Colby has risen up the depth chart and now has a spot on the 53-man roster. And depending on how quickly Puni bounces back from a knee injury, he could be under consideration to serve as a Week 1 starter. Veteran Matt Hennessy and Drake Nugent are in contention for the backup center position. Right now, it’s looking as if Zakelj can fill the backup roles at guard and center.

Defensive line (9)

Nick Bosa

Mykel Williams

Alfred Collins

CJ West

Bryce Huff

Jordan Elliott

Kalia Davis

Sam Okuayinonu

Sebastian Valdez

*PUP — Yetur Gross-Matos (knee)

*IR — Kevin Givens (pectoral)

Overview: The 49ers continue to add players at this spot out of necessity. They have 18 defensive linemen on their 90-man roster, with seven of them sitting out Saturday’s game due to injuries. Gross-Matos will take a spot when he comes back, but he’s been slow to get on the field due to a knee situation Shanahan describes as “wear and tear.”

Linebacker (6)

Fred Warner

Dee Winters

Nick Martin

Luke Gifford

Tatum Bethune

Chazz Surratt

Overview: Bethune has been working at middle linebacker as Warner’s backup. The final spot — if the 49ers opt to keep six linebackers — likely comes down to Surratt and Curtis Robinson, who helped his cause with some nice plays on special teams against the Raiders.

Cornerback (6)

Deommodore Lenoir

Renardo Green

Upton Stout

Dallis Flowers

Tre Brown

Chase Lucas

Overview: Lucas and Flowers have appeared to separate themselves from the others when it comes to filling those final spots. These are the top six right now. But will the 49ers decide to keep only five? That would be a tough call on the odd-man-out in that scenario.

Safety (4)

Jason Pinnock

Marques Sigle

Ji’Ayir Brown

Siran Neal

*PUP – Malik Mustapha (knee)

Overview: Sigle has risen up the depth chart and could be challenging for a starting job. Brown has not taken that next step as he competes for a starting job to open the season. The fourth spot comes down to Neal and Richie Grant. Neal has versatility to play corner, safety and special teams. If the 49ers keep him, they could be tempted to go with one fewer cornerback, too.

Special teams (3)

K Jake Moody

P Thomas Morstead

LS Jon Weeks

Overview: Moody delivered under as much pressure as a player can face in a preseason game when he hit a 44-yard field goal with 37 seconds left to tie the game. Then, for good measure, he drilled a 59-yard walk-off field goal to beat the Raiders. He will begin his third season as the 49ers’ kicker.

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast