An updated breakdown of the 49ers current roster, with locks, both hard, & soft, players battling for roster spots, & longshots, with analysis, 7.0

With the 49ers re-signing Jason Verrett, & agreeing to terms with 14 UDFAs, I thought I’d take another look who are locks(both hard locks & soft locks), 50/50 or fighting for roster spots, and longshots.

Below are my hard locks, which are players that just aren’t going anywhere due to either how good they are, or due to their contract status.

1. QB 5 Trey Lance(2024)- This is obvious, the 49ers traded the 12^thpick, along with their 2022 1^st, 2022 3^rd(comp pick), & 2023 1^stfor the 3^rd pick, in order to pick Lance, who is expected to be the #1 QB, and he should get all of the first team snaps during the offseason program.
2. QB 7 Nate Sudfeld(2022)- Again, I’ve said this, this is the most shocking move the 49ers made to me, not because they re-signed Sudfeld, but because they gave him a fully guaranteed $2 million deal, so he’s here as the #2 QB in my opinion.
3. RB 25 Elijah Mitchell(2024)- Mitchell showed us what he can really do in 2021, he’s a dynamic back, he’s fast, maybe not as fast as former 49er Raheem Mostert, but he’s damn fast, and he’s just a great young back, he should be RB1.
4. RB 22 Jeff Wilson Jr.(2022)- Wilson got a 1-year deal, worth $1.085 million, with $530,000 in fully guaranteed money, all part of his base salary, so, barring some terrible play, or injury, Wilson will be on the opening day 53, and should split duties with Trey Sermon as RB2.
5. RB 28 Trey Sermon(2024)- Sermon wasn’t used much last season, but he has so much potential, and he should split duties with Jeff Wilson Jr. as the teams’ RB2.
6. RB – Tyrion Davis-Price(2025)- The 49ers made Davis-Price a 3^rd-round pick, the 93^rd-overall pick, and this was a headscratcher, as the 49ers have some good backs, and had other needs, that they ended up addressing later, but this likely means JaMycal Hasty’s days are numbered.
7. FB 44 Kyle Juszyczyk(2025)- The 49ers picked up Juice’s 2023-2025 option years, which paid him a $2.115 million option bonus, plus guaranteed another $1.25 million of his 2023 base salary, so, he’s here to stay, but that’s not the reason, as Juice is one of the best players the 49ers have, as he can lineup all over the field, he can run, and is a great blocker in the run game.
8. WR/RB 19 Deebo Samuel(2022)- Deebo is set to be paid, when he gets his new extension, and yes he will, as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, and he deserves it, he proved in 2021 that he’s as dynamic as any of the top WRs, even the likes of Tyreek Hill, & Davante Adams.
9. WR/PR 11 Brandon Aiyuk(2023)- Aiyuk came on strong in 2021, he played great, he’s the perfect WR to pair with Deebo Samuel long term, which I believe will happen, and he’s just a great athlete, has great hands, and he’s just one of those guys that gets that YAC, along with Deebo, & George Kittle.
10. WR 15 Jauan Jennings(2022)- Jennings really came on last year as the teams’ 3^rdWR, he was a key guy on 3^rddowns, he was key in the teams win in LA over the Rams in week 18 that helped put them into the playoffs, so JJ is here to stay, and is the perfect 3^rd WR in my opinion.
11. WR/KR/PR 3 Ray-Ray McCloud(2023)- The 49ers signed the best returner on the open market, in McCloud, who led the NFL in punt return yards, and have over 1000 kick return yards in 2021, he’s also a very dynamic playmaker, he can lineup in the slot, he had over 30 catches in 2021, so he’ll fit in nicely, plus the 49ers finally have a returner they can count on, yes he has fumble issues, but I expect the 49ers to work on it with him.
12. WR – Danny Gray(2025)- A 3^rd-round pick, 105^th-overall, Gray is a speedy WR, and I can envision Kyle Shanahan using him on jet sweeps, and as a deep threat, he’ll get playing time this season.
13. TE 85 George Kittle(2025)- Kittle is, in my opinion, the best all around tight end in the NFL, if he had Patrick Mahomes, he’d put up the numbers that Travis Kelce does in the pass game, but the difference between those 2 TEs, is that Kittle loves blocking, and he’s way way better than Kelce is, so Kittle is here to stay.
14. TE 89 Charlie Woerner(2023)- Woerner came on in 2021, he improves his blocking, and also became a better pass catcher than he was in 2020, so he’s a guy who will at worst be the 3^rd
15. C 50 Alex Mack(2023)- Mack, who just had $500,000 of his base salary become fully guaranteed on Friday, is expected to be back for 2022, and while he’s not the youngest guy, he is a very very good center, so, he should make whoever is beside him better.
16. LG/RG 65 Aaron Banks(2024)- Banks didn’t play much in 2021, but that doesn’t mean 49ers fans should write him off, he’s a very good player, and he should be the teams’ new left guard, which is his most comfortable, and best position, the spot he played at in college.
17. LG/RG/LT 68 Colton McKivitz(2022)- McKivitz came in for an injured Trent Williams, and played great at LT in the 49ers week 18 win over the Rams, and he adds so much versatility, as he can play both Guard, as well as Tackle, and he may end up being that Swing Tackle, but maybe also a Swing Guard.
18. RG/C/RT 60 Daniel Brunskill(2022)- Brunskill is a RFA currently, but I don’t see anyone offering him an offer sheet, so he should be back, which means he will either be the teams right guard, or, he could end up as the teams Swing OL, where he backs up every position on the line, making him very valuable.
19. LT 71 Trent Williams(2026)- Trent is by far the best Tackle in the game, either LT or RT, and he had his best year in 2021, so he’s not going anywhere anytime soon, plus he just had $5.05 million of his 2023 base salary become fully guaranteed, and he can get another $10 million guaranteed when the 49ers pick up his 2024-2026 option years by April 1, 2023.
20. LT/RT/RG/LG 76 Jaylon Moore(2024)- Kyle Shanahan said that Moore could be the teams’ new right guard in 2022, and I have no issue with that, as Moore showed he’s a very good offensive lineman, but we’ll have to wait to see if he wins the RG spot, but he’s here to stay.
21. RT 69 Mike McGlinchey(2022)- McGlinchey had his 5^th-year option picked up last May, which guarantees him $10.88 million, so he’s here in 2022, and I believe he was having his best season in 2021, especially in pass protection.
22. RT/LT/LG – Spencer Burford(2025)- Burford, the teams’ 4^th-round pick, 134^th-overall, will battle with the likes of Justin Skule, Nick Zakelj, Daniel Brunskill, Jaylon Moore, & Colton McKivitz for a potential starting spot or Swing T/G, but, despite only being a 4th-round pick, I do have Burford as a lock to make the team, and he could end up as the teams’ 2023 starting right tackle.
23. DE/LEO 97 Nick Bosa(2022)- Bosa will surely have his 5^th-year option picked up on May 3^rd, but, he won’t be playing on that option, as he’s set to become the first non-QB to get a $30 million or more a year deal, and if anyone deserves it, it’s Nick, he’s been a force for the 49ers.
24. DE/DT 92 Kerry Hyder Jr.(2022)- Hyder is back, after a year with the Seahawks, Hyder signed a 1-year deal, worth $1.5 million, with $750,000 of it being fully guaranteed, and it’s great to see him back, as his best two seasons were under 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, so he’s a lock to make this team.
25. LEO 56 Samson Ebukam(2022)- Ebukam has a high cap hit, $8.25 million, but I think he’s earned a spot on the teams 53-man roster after his 2021 play, especially down the stretch.
26. LEO 53 Kemoko Turay(2022)- Despite not knowing the terms of Turay’s 1-year deal, which I expect to include some significant guaranteed money, I have him as a lock, as he’s someone with a ton of upside, and DL coach Kris Kocurek can get the most out of just about any defensive lineman.
27. LEO – Drake Jackson(2025)- The 49ers 2^nd-round pick, 61^st-overall, Jackson should bring much needed speed off of the EDGE.
28. DT/DE 91 Arik Armstead(2024)- Armstead showed why he’s worth that $17 million a year deal when he was moved inside to DT, he was a force, a beast even, he looked like he was finally in his best spot on the DL, and he should be a mainstay for a while.
29. DT/NT 99 Javon Kinlaw(2023)- Kinlaw missed most of 2021 with a knee injury, he has surgery done, which was done by the same doctor who did Nick Bosa’s ACL surgery, and with D.J. Jones now in Denver, Kinlaw needs to step up, and show that he was the right pick at 14^th-overall in the 2020 draft.
30. DT/NT 90 Kevin Givens(2022)- Givens played very well once Javon Kinlaw went down, he was a solid run stuffer, he even got a few sacks, so he’s a guy that should be here come opening day, as one of the 8 or 9 active lineman on the DL.
31. NT 98 Hassan Ridgeway(2022)- Ridgeway was signed a 1-year deal, worth up to $2.5 million, with a base value of $1.8 million, $1 million fully guaranteed, and he’s going to be one of the guys that the 49ers look to help replace the production of D.J. Jones, and he’s a very good DL, so he’s a guy that will be among the 8 or 9 DL active each week.
32. NT – Kalia Davis(2025)- The 49ers added Davis in the 6^th-round, with the 220^th-overall pick, and he should be here in 2022, he tore his ACL in October 2021, so he’ll likely start on the reserve/NFI list, plus John Lynch said they saw a lot of D.J. Jones in him, which would be a great thing to have found another late round gem on the defensive line.
33. WLB/SLB 57 Dre Greenlaw(2022)- Greenlaw will be the teams’ starting weakside linebacker, after missing most of the season due to injury, he came back late in the season, and provided a nice prescence for the 49ers defense, he’s an hard hitter, and a very good tackler.
34. MLB 54 Fred Warner(2026)- Warner is, in my opinion, the best MLB in all of the NFL, and while he didn’t have the best season, he still led the team in tackles, and he should be back to his 2020 All-Pro form come this season, plus he was just guaranteed another $984,000 of his 2022 base salary, and $12.016 million of his 2023 base salary on Friday.
35. MLB/WLB 48 Oren Burks(2023)- The 49ers signed Burks, a key special teams player for the Packers, and he’s a guy that will help the 49ers special teams unit, as it was bad in 2021, plus he can come in, and help at linebacker if needed.
36. SLB/MLB 51 Azeez Al-Shaair(2022)- Al-Shaair, currently a RFA, will be back, as he was given the 2^nd-round tender, and the 49ers did this clearly because they didn’t want to lose him, as he was the teams 2^ndleading tackler, and his versatility is a huge plus, so he’s here to stay.
37. CB 35 Charvarius Ward(2024)- Ward was signed in free agency from the Kansas City Chiefs, and was a guy that their fans didn’t want to lose, but the Chiefs cap situation wouldn’t allow them to bring him back, so the 49ers scooped him up on a 3-year deal, averaging $13.5 million a year, and I love this pickup, he’s young, a good tackler, and a good cover corner.
38. CB 4 Emmanuel Moseley(2022)- Moseley, who just had his $4.4 million base salary for 2022 guaranteed Friday, will be the teams’ #2 CB, as well as the slot CB, with Ambry Thomas coming in to play opposite Ward, Moseley is a very good cover man, and hopefully the 49ers can figure a way to keep him long term.
39. CB 20 Ambry Thomas(2024)- The 49ers made Thomas a 3^rd-round pick in 2021, and he had a slow start, his first start came against the Bengals, where he was picked on, but by the time week 18 came around, he showed why he was a 3^rd-rounder, he had the game sealing INT in overtime, and as stated above, Thomas will come in, play opposite Charvarius Ward, while Emmanuel Moseley plays in the slot.
40. CB 38 Deommodore Lenoir(2024)- Lenoir started the season as a key player, once Jason Verrett tore his ACL, Lenoir stepped up, had two really good games, but then, he became more of a special teamer, so I expect him to be at worst the teams’ 5^thCB, and a core special teamer.
41. CB 2 Jason Verrett(2022)- Verrett re-signed with the 49ers, getting just a 1-year, $1.12 million deal, with only $895,000 counting against the cap, but I have him as a lock due to the fact that he’ll either be on the 53-man roster, or he’ll begin the season on the reserve/PUP list, or injured reserve-designated to return list.
42. FS/SS/CB 1 Jimmie Ward(2022)- Ward is by far the teams best cover-man, and he’s gotten better, & better with each season he’s played, and he’s another guy I would love to see the 49ers extend, not just because he counts $6.395 million in 2023 in dead money, or because it saves the team $6.224 million, but because it would give the 49ers their free safety for the foreseeable future.
43. FS/SS/CB 33 Tarvarius Moore(2022)- Moore missed all of 2021 due to a torn Achilles injury, and he played very well in his first 3 years, and his deal tolled, so he’s on the books for 1-year, $965,000, and I expect Moore to be the teams’ #2 FS, along with being on the field when the 49ers use 3 safeties, along with George Odum or Talanoa Hufanga, depending on who is the teams’ new strong safety.
44. SS/FS/SLB 29 Talanoa Hufanga(2024)- The 49ers took Hufanga in the 5^th-round of the 2021 draft, and he played really well in 2021 as a rookie, he is a solid tackler, good cover man, but he doesn’t have the best speed, but he’ll end up being a core special teamer, and will have the chance to be the teams’ new strong safety.
45. SS/FS 30 George Odum(2024)- The 49ers signed Odum to a 3-year deal, worth $1.9 million a year, and he’s a core special teamer coming from the Colts, and another guy that the fans didn’t want to lose, so he should be a core special teamer, and maybe the teams’ new strong safety, as he is a very good tackler, with zero missed tackles in 2021 while playing in the box.
46. PK 9 Robbie Gould(2022)- Gould is entering his final season on a 4-year deal, and while he’s not the best from 50+, he’s still very reliable, he is clutch, with the game winner in the divisional round in Green Bay, plus his $4 million base salary is fully guaranteed, so he’s here for 2022, but the team may have to prepare for life without Gould after 2022, unless they decide to bring him back, which I have no issue with.
47. P 18 Mitch Wishnowsky(2022)- Wishnowsky was a 4^th-round pick in 2019, and he’s done a good job, no he’s not the best punter, but he’s a very good punter, and with the team not taking a punter in the draft, Wishnowsky should be the teams’ punter come September.
48. LS 46 Taybor Pepper(2022)- Like with Mitch Wishnowsky, Pepper is a guy who’s not great, but reliable, so he will be the teams’ long snapper come September.

Next up are my soft locks, players that would make the roster if the season were to begin today, but will have to fend off either rookies, or veterans.

1. DE 75 Jordan Willis(2022)- Willis was brought back on a 1-year deal, worth $1.06 million, but counting only $920,000 against the cap, and while he has no guaranteed money, he’s a guy who should make the 2022 53-man roster, and be a guy that’s in on punt blocks, but with the drafting of Drake Jackson, and me just not being 100% sure about how many defensive lineman the 49ers will keep, he’s a soft lock.
2. DE/DT 94 Charles Omenihu(2022)- The 49ers brought Omenihu in via a trade with the Texans, giving up their 2023 6^th-rounder, and he played really good in the limited playing time he was given, and I have him making the team right now, but, like with Jordan Willis, I view Omenihu as a soft lock, but I do believe he’ll be among the 10 or 11 defensive lineman that the 49ers keep this season.
3. CB 27 Dontae Johnson(2022)- Johnson re-signed with the 49ers on a 1-year deal, worth $1,272,500, with $715,500 fully guaranteed, and a $1,047,500 cap number, and he played very well in 2021, both on special teams, and at corner, especially in the slot, and I would have him making the team right now, but with the draft picks(Samuel Womack, & Tariq Castro-Fields), I have him as a soft lock for now.

The next are players who will need to really earn a roster spot, and battle it out for the remaining roster spots.

1. RB/KR 23 JaMycal Hasty(2022)- Hasty played very well in 2021, he’s a good back, and barring the team adding a veteran, or a rookie, Hasty should be the teams’ 4^th
2. WR 6 Marcus Johnson(2022)- Johnson received $250,000 in guaranteed money on a 1-year, veteran minimum salary benefit deal, so while he has an edge over the longshots, he’s not guaranteed a spot, since that $250,000 in GTD money really amounts to a practice squad spot.
3. WR 17 Malik Turner(2022)- Turner, like Johnson, received some significant guaranteed money, $300,000, and he’s a burner, he’s a guy that I had making the team, likely as the #5 or #6 WR, but I don’t know how many receivers the 49ers will keep this season, especially after drafting Danny Gray.
4. TE 82 Ross Dwelley(2022)- The 49ers re-signed Dwelley to a 1-year deal, worth $1.035 million, with $250,000 of it guaranteed, but only $895,000 counts against the cap, and while I’d like to put him as the teams’ 3^rdTE, I can’t, not as a lock, as he saw his time in 2021 go from playing the teams’ #2 TE, to being passed by Charlie Woerner, so he needs to show a lot to be the teams’ 3^rdTE, of course.
5. TE 84 Tanner Hudson(2022)- Hudson has a shot to make the team, especially since they didn’t draft another TE, which means it’d be down to him, Ross Dwelley, & Jordan Matthews for the 3^rdTE spot.
6. TE 88 Jordan Matthews(2022)- The former wide receiver, Matthews, now a tight end, has a good chance of getting a roster spot, especially with the team not adding another TE in the draft, so he’ll battle with Ross Dwelley, & Tanner Hudson for the 3^rdTE spot.
7. C/LG/RG 64 Jake Brendel(2022)- Brendel was brought back on a non-guaranteed 1-year, $1.035 million deal, so he’s not guaranteed anything, but, he’s got the upper hand on being the teams’ backup center.
8. C – Dohnovan West(2024)- I love this signing, West, a UDFA out of Arizona State, was considered a day 2, or early day 3 pick, but went undrafted, and I think he could be the teams’ 9^thOffensive Lineman, thus making the team.
9. C/RG – Jason Poe(2024)- A UDFA out of Mercer, Poe is a guy that some 49ers fans had mocked to us, so with that, & his versatility, something that Kyle Shanahan covets, he has a shot at making the team.
10. LG/LT – Nick Zakelj(2025)- The teams’ 5^th-round pick, 172^nd-overall pick, Zakelj will battle the likes of Justin Skule, Daniel Brunskill, Jaylon Moore, & Colton McKivitz for a potential starting spot or Swing T/G
11. RT/LT/RG 67 Justin Skule(2022)- Skule, who missed all of 2021 due to a torn ACL, will have a chance to be the teams’ Swing Tackle, battling guys like Daniel Brunskill, Jaylon Moore, & Colton McKivitz.
12. DT 96 Maurice Hurst Jr.(2022)- The 49ers brought Hurst back on a 1-year deal, worth $1,187,500, with only $1,047,500 counting against the cap, and he missed pretty much the entire 2021 season, but he would have the upper hand on being the teams’ 10^thor 11^thdefensive lineman, depending on how many the team keeps.
13. SLB/WLB 45 Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles(2022)- Flannigan-Fowles has the upper hand on the 5^thLB spot, and he’s not bad, he played well on defense when needed, and is a core special teamer, so he likely makes the 2022 roster, but for now, he’s not a lock.
14. CB 31 Darqueze Dennard(2022)- Dennard is back after being on the teams’ practice squad to end the season, he played well in the handful of games he was active for, especially in the slot, but he’ll have to battle with draftees Samuel Womack, & Tariq Castro-Fields for a roster spot.
15. CB – Samuel Womack(2025)- Womack was the teams’ 5^th-round pick, 172^nd-overall, and he’ll battle with fellow draft pick Tariq Castro-Fields, & Darqueze Dennard for a roster spot.
16. CB – Tariq Castro-Fields(2025)- Castro-Fields, a 6^th-round pick, 187^th-overall, will have to compete with Samuel Womack, & Darqueze Dennard for a roster spot.
17. FS/SS – Leon O’Neal(2024)- I’m not sure what safety spot O’Neal, a UDFA, plays, or will play, but he’s another guy, like with Dohnovan West, that was a potential day 2-day 3 pick, and should/could surprise, & make the team.

My longshots are below.

1. QB – Brock Purdy(2025)- The 49ers made Purdy the 262^nd-overall pick, a 7^th-round pick, and Mr. Irrelevant, but, unless the 49ers decide to keep 3 QBs, and the 3^rdisn’t Jimmy Garoppolo, then Purdy is likely heading to the practice squad.
2. RB — Jordan Mason(2024)- Signed as a UDFA out of Georgia Tech, Mason is likely a longshot, more of a practice squad candidate.
3. FB 40 Josh Hokit(2022)- Hokit is a very athletic player, but with Juice on the team, Hokit is practice squad bound.
4. WR 13 KeeSean Johnson(2022)- Johnson was signed to a reserve/future deal, and unless he really impresses, he’s likely practice squad bound.
5. WR 86 Austin Mack(2022)- Mack spent the majority of 2021 on the teams’ practice squad, so that’s likely his best bet, again for 2022.
6. WR 83 Connor Wedington(2022)- Another guy who spent the majority of 2021 on the teams’ practice squad, Wedington, is likely a practice squad candidate.
7. WR – Tay Martin(2024)- The 49ers agreed to terms with Martin as a UDFA, and he’s a longshot, as the 49ers have at least 7 players ahead of him at WR.
8. WR – Taysir Mack(2024)- The 49ers also agreed to terms with Mack as a UDFA, and like with Martin, he’s a longshot, as there are at least 7 players ahead of him at WR.
9. TE — Garrett Walston(2024)- Signed out of North Carolina, Walston is mostly likely a practice squad candidate.
10. RG – Keaton Sutherland(2022)- Sutherland was brought in on a 1-year, reserve/future deal, and he’s a longshot, likely practice squad bound.
11. LT – Sam Schlueter(2024)- Schlueter, a UDFA, agreed to terms, but he’s likely a practice squad candidate, thus a longshot.
12. RT 77 Alfredo Gutierrez(2022)- Gutierrez, the team international pathway program player in 2021, will likely end up on the teams practice squad in 2022 again, where he won’t count against the cap, or practice squad limit, plus he won’t be eligible to play, as he doesn’t count towards the 90-man roster.
13. LEO 58 Alex Barrett(2022)- Barrett would have a chance to make the team as an EDGE rusher, but, the 49ers already have 5 players ahead of him, and with the team likely to add a young EDGE, Barrett is practice squad bound.
14. DT Kevin Atkins(2024)- Atkins, a UDFA, is likely a practice squad candidate.
15. NT 78 Chris Slayton(2022)- The 49ers brought Slayton back on a reserve/future deal, and he spent the majority of 2021 on the teams’ practice squad, which is his likely destination for 2022.
16. WLB/MLB 59 Curtis Robinson(2022)- Robinson was active for a handful of games in 2021, he played well, but, he’s likely a practice squader.
17. WLB – Jeremiah Gemmel(2024)- Signed out of North Carolina, Gemmel, a UDFA, is likely a practice squad candidate.
18. WLB – Segun Olubi(2024)- Olubi, a UDFA out of San Diego State, is most likely a practice squad candidate.
19. SLB – Marcelino McCrary-Ball(2024)- Signed out of Indiana as a UDFA, McCrary-Ball is likely a longshot, and looking at a potential practice squad spot.
20. CB – Ka’dar Hollman(2022)- Hollman, signed to a reserve/future deal, is likely to be on the teams practice squad, at best.
21. CB/FS – Tayler Hawkins(2024)- Hawkins, signed out ofg San Diego State, as a UDFA, is likely a longshot, and potentially a practice squad candidate.
22. CB – Qwauntrezz Knight(2024)- Like with Tayler Hawkins, Knight is a UDFA, and is a longshot, likely a practice squad candidate.

As you can tell, I left Jimmy Garoppolo, & Dee Ford off, as both likely won’t be here in 2022.

So, I have 50 locks(47 hard locks, & 3 soft locks), 18 Battling for roster spots, & 22 longshots, so the team has very few roster spots open as of now.

As always, I thank you for reading, leave a comment, or follow me on Twitter @49erscap.

About Author

Jason Hurley

Die Hard 49ers fan from New York, been covering the 49ers salary cap since 2005, with several different websites, including NinersNation.com, & the now defunct NinerCapHell, I have a track record of being as accurate as possible, & I try to be as thorough as possible.

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