49ers’ roster cuts will take creativity at several positions
The 49ers have a strong roster, but it’s not exactly loaded. At least not at several positions.
Wide receiver? Their No. 3 option is either Trent Sherfield (28 career catches) or Mohamed Sanu, 31, who has played for four teams since 2019. Tight end? There is a canyon-sized drop-off from George Kittle to his primary backup, Ross Dwelley. Cornerback? Their next man up at outside corner and the nickel spot could be Deommodore Lenoir, a rookie fifthround pick.
However, the 49ers are stacked at two vital positions in a pass-happy league: quarterback and defensive line.
For the first time in the Kyle Shanahan era, they have a promising backup QB — that’s
rookie No. 3 pick Trey Lance, at least for the moment — and their defensive line has the potential to reach 2019 levels of QB harassment. Other teams have inquired about trading for their backup defensive linemen, but general manager John Lynch said Friday on KNBR that the 49ers plan to keep that deep position group intact.
If so, the 49ers could keep 11 defensive linemen — a massive number — on their initial 53-man roster, which will require creativity at other spots. Here’s one way they could get it done with final roster cuts due by 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Quarterbacks (2)
In: Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance
Out: Nate Sudfeld Shanahan has kept three QBs in each of his first four seasons. But this season, the 49ers can keep their No. 3, Sudfeld, as insurance without the five-year veteran taking up a roster spot, thanks to the pandemic-inspired practicesquad rules implemented last year. The 49ers can keep six players with unlimited experience on the 16-man practice squad. And they can designate four practice-squad players each week who can’t be signed by another team. Sudfeld likely will be released Tuesday and signed to the practice squad.
Running backs/Fullback (5)
In: Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, Elijah Mitchell, Wayne Gallman, FB Kyle Juszczyk
Out: JaMycal Hasty, FB Josh Hokit
These are the questions that perplex grown men tasked with making imaginary roster cuts: Wayne Gallman or JaMycal Hasty? After several fitful nights’ sleep, this pretend GM kept Gallman because the Giants’ 2020 rushing leader is more proven than Hasty, a promising 2020 undrafted free agent with ball-security issues.
Wide receivers (6)
In: Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Trent Sherfield, Mohamed Sanu, Jalen Hurd, Travis Benjamin
Out: Jauan Jennings, Nsimba Webster
Richie James’ severe knee injury last week cleared a roster spot for Benjamin, 31, who can assume James’ role as punt returner while providing speed at a position group not filled with burners. Without James, who might have been on the roster bubble after a drop-filled training camp, Benjamin became the 49ers’ only established NFL punt returner. He is tied for first among active players in punt-return touchdowns (four) and ranks second in yards per return (10.9). Jennings, who made a strong push before a heel injury, is unlikely to be claimed on waivers and is a practicesquad candidate.
Tight ends (4)
In: George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, MyCole Pruitt
Out: Jordan Matthews Why keep Pruitt, 29, who was hurt at the start of training camp and didn’t distinguish himself in practices or preseason games (49 snaps, 0 targets)? Pruitt, a six-year veteran with 32 career receptions, is a blocking tight end, meaning he will wow only those who scrutinize in-line blocking. The 49ers emphasize the ground game, have valued blocking tight ends such as Garrett Celek, Logan Paulsen and Levine Toilolo in the past, and have guaranteed Pruitt $500,000 this season.
Offensive linemen (8) In: Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Alex Mack, Daniel Brunskill, Mike McGlinchey, Jaylon Moore, Aaron Banks, Colton McKivitz
Out: Jake Brendel, Shon Coleman, Tom Compton, Senio Kelemete, Dakota Shepley, Isaiah Williams, Alfredo Gutierrez
Sorry, Jake Brendel, we just couldn’t get the roster calculus to work in your favor. Brendel has value to the 49ers as their lone backup who can start at center if Mack is sidelined. Without Brendel, the 49ers would have to move Brunskill, their starter at right guard, to center, creating some mild frontfive upheaval. A possible solution: Brendel, 28, a journeyman who is on his fifth NFL team, clears waivers and serves as potential center insurance on the practice squad.
Defensive linemen (11) In: Nick Bosa, Javon Kinlaw, D.J. Jones, Arik Armstead, Dee Ford, Samson Ebukam, Kentavius Street, Zach Kerr, Arden Key, Kevin Givens, Maurice Hurst
Out: Darrion Daniels, Alex Barrett, Eddie Yarbrough
The 49ers kept Hurst after he suffered a high ankle sprain Aug. 22 that’s expected to sideline him for at least the first month of the regular season. If the 49ers had placed Hurst on injured reserve before final roster cuts, he would be ineligible to play for them this season. That means Hurst will make the initial 53-man roster Tuesday and subsequently be placed on injured reserve. After Hurst is placed on IR, it could clear a roster spot for a player such as cornerback Dontae Johnson, who could be released Tuesday with the knowledge he will be re-signed quickly. Defensive end Jordan Willis figures to join this position group after serving a season-opening, six-game suspension.
Linebackers (5)
In: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Marcell Harris
Out: Jonas Griffith, Justin Hillard, Elijah Sullivan
Harris, formerly a physical strong safety with spotty coverage skills, successfully made the offseason transition to linebacker. That, along with specialteams ability, should allow him to beat out Hilliard and Sullivan, undrafted rookies whose signing bonuses suggested they had legitimate shots to make the roster.
Cornerbacks (5)
In: Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas
Out: Dontae Johnson, Davontae Harris, Alexander Myres
As mentioned, Johnson, who has appeared in more games with the 49ers than any player on the roster, could be re-signed after Hurst is stashed on IR. Johnson can play both corner spots, has special-teams value and the coaching staff certainly trusts him more at this point than it does Thomas, a rookie third-round pick whose touchdown-allowing tackle whiff in Sunday’s preseason finale against the Raiders was part of his uneven summer.
Safeties (4)
In: Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Talanoa Hufanga, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Out: Tavon Wilson, Jared Mayden
Our final roster conundrum: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who signed less than three weeks ago, or Tavon Wilson, who joined the roster in March? The hunch here is Clinton-Dix, 28, a firstround pick and Pro Bowl selection whose career has nosedived, will get a chance to get back on track. Clinton-Dix has two preseason interceptions and two training-camp picks since he made his practice debut Aug. 16.
Specialists (3)
In: K Robbie Gould, P Mitch Wishnowsky, LS Taybor Pepper
Out: None