My latest 2022 projected 49ers rosters, 1 with Alex Mack, & 1 without Alex Mack, plus cap ramifications

With OTAs underway, it’s time for my latest roster projections, one with Alex Mack on the roster, and the one without Alex Mack on the roster.

Below is how I currently see the 2022 roster as it stands, with locks in bold, question marks in italics,

Offense:
QB(4): 5 Trey Lance(2024), 10 Jimmy Garoppolo(2022), 7 Nate Sudfeld(2022), & 14 Brock Purdy(2025)
RB(6): 25 Elijah Mitchell(2024), 22 Jeff Wilson Jr.(2022), 28 Trey Sermon(2024), 32 Tyrion Davis-Price(2025), 23 JaMycal Hasty(2022), & 41 Jordan Mason(2024)
FB(2): 44 Kyle Juszcyzk(2025), & 40 Josh Hokit(2022)
WR(12): 19 Deebo Samuel(2022), 11 Brandon Aiyuk(2023), 15 Jauan Jennings(2022), 3 Ray-Ray McCloud III(2023), 86 Danny Gray(2025), 17 Malik Turner(2022), 6 Marcus Johnson(2022), 81 Austin Mack(2022), 13 KeeSean Johnson(2022), 83 Tay Martin(2024), & 24 Taysir Mack(2024)
TE(6): 85 George Kittle(2025), 89 Charlie Woerner(2023), 82 Ross Dwelley(2022), 84 Tanner Hudson(2022), 88 Jordan Matthews(2022), 49 Troy Fumagalli(2022), & 47 Tyler Kroft(2022)
C(4): 50 Alex Mack(2023), 64 Jake Brendel(2022), 61 Dohnovan West(2024), & 62 Jason Poe(2024)
OG(5): 65 Aaron Banks(2024), 76 Jaylon Moore(2024), 60 Daniel Brunskill(2022), 63 Nick Zakelj(2025), & 66 Keaton Sutherland(2022)
OT(7): 71 Trent Williams(2026), 69 Mike McGlinchey(2022), 74 Spencer Burford(2025), 68 Colton McKivitz(2022), 67 Justin Skule(2022), Sam Schlueter(2024), & 77 Alfredo Gutierrez(2022)

Defense:
DE(9): 97 Nick Bosa(2023), 56 Samson Ebukam(2022), 92 Kerry Hyder Jr.(2022), 53 Kemoko Turay(2022), 94 Charles Omenihu(2022), 95 Drake Jackson(2025), 75 Jordan Willis(2022), 55 Dee Ford(2022), & 58 Alex Barrett(2022)
DT(4): 91 Arik Armstead(2024), 90 Kevin Givens(2022), 96 Maurice Hurst Jr.(2022), & 77 Kevin Atkins(2024)
NT(4): 99 Javon Kinlaw(2023), 98 Hassan Ridgeway(2022), & 93 Kalia Davis(2025)
LB(9): 54 Fred Warner(2026), 57 Dre Greenlaw(2022), 51 Azeez Al-Shaair(2022), 48 Oren Burks(2023), 45 Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles(2022), 59 Curtis Robinson(2022), 47 Jeremiah Gemmel(2024), 49 Segun Olubi(2024), & 40 Marcelino McCrary-Ball(2024)
CB(12): 35 Charvarius Ward(2024), 4 Emmanuel Moseley(2022), 20 Ambry Thomas(2024), 38 Deommodore Lenoir(2024), 27 Dontae Johnson(2022), 26 Samuel Womack III(2025), 36 Tariq Castro-Fields(2025), 2 Jason Verrett(2022), 31 Darqueze Dennard(2022), 24 Ka’dar Hollman(2022), 43 Qwuantrezz Knight(2024)
S(6): 1 Jimmie Ward(2022), 33 Tarvarius Moore(2022), 29 Talanoa Hufanga(2024), 30 George Odum(2024), 14 Leon O’Neal Jr.(2024), & 41 Tayler Hawkins(2024)

Special Teams:
PK(1): 9 Robbie Gould(2022)
P(1): 18 Mitch Wishnowsky(2022)
LS(1): 46 Taybor Pepper(2022)

Notes:

At quarterback, I just can’t see how the 49ers can justify keeping Garoppolo on the 53-man roster, or even letting him play preseason games, not when the team needs that $25 million in cap room for 1. 2022 and 2. To carryover into 2023.

At running back, I see JaMycal Hasty as the odd man out, especially after the Tyrion Davis-Price pick.

When it comes to the teams’ wide receivers, I think it’s possible that they keep 5, but head coach Kyle Shanahan usually keeps 6 wide receivers, so if that continues, it should come down to the two veterans that they signed, Malik Turner, & Marcus Johnson, with Turner being the guy that I see making it if they do carry 6.

The tight end position is pretty much set, barring an injury or roster move, but, I do wish they would have addressed the #2 TE spot in the draft, but hopefully Ross Dwelley can improve from 2021, because he didn’t look particularly great or even good, with Charlie Woerner overtaking him as the #2 TE.

On the offensive line there are a lot of questions to be answered, like, who will be the teams’ right guard? Left guard? Center? Will Alex Mack come back? I can’t give definitive answers, but my feeling is Mack returns, Aaron Banks at left guard, & Jaylon Moore at right guard, with Spencer Burford being a swing Tackle, who should see time at right tackle, either in preseason, or regular season, depending on Mike McGlinchey’s health, and I expect Daniel Brunskill, & Colton McKivitz to win backup spots, as they’re both versatile, and still young.

On the defensive line, I think 5 of the 6 EDGE rusher spots are locked in, barring injuries or bad play, with the team looking at either Jordan Willis or Charles Omenihu as the 6^th EDGE rusher, as for the interior part of the defensive line, I expect the backup 3-Technique to come down to Kevin Givens, or Maurice Hurst Jr., while Javon Kinlaw, & Hassan Ridgeway will play that 2i position, which is where I envision Kalia Davis, being a big nose tackle, but, Davis will start the season on reserve/NFI due to a torn ACL from last October, but this is a very deep group, maybe deeper than 2019? Definitely 2020 & 2021.

At linebacker, I see them keeping 4, so unless they decide to go thin at another spot, then they should go with just 4, as this is a norm for the 49ers since Kyle Shanahan, & John Lynch came in.

When it comes to the cornerback spot, I see both Samuel Womack, & Tariq Castro-Fields making it, along with Deommodore Lenoir, as I just can’t see any of them clearing waivers, with Dontae Johnson likely starting on the practice squad, and Jason Verrett beginning on reserve/PUP list or reserve/injured-designated-for-return list.

At the safety position is uncertainty, not at free safety, as Jimmie Ward will start, but at strong safety, where it’s going to come down to Tarvarius Moore, Talanoa Hufanga, or George Odum, with, in my opinion, Moore having the edge.

Now when it comes to the special teams’ unit, I believe it will be much better, with the likes of Oren Burks, George Odum added, plus new returner Ray-Ray McCloud, & 3^rd-round pick Danny Gray, who does have some experience, albeit, limited, at returning, so McCloud should be the teams’ primary returner, with Gray being the backup.

As for the teams’ undrafted free agents, I feel the players with the best chance to make the 53-man roster are, centers Dohnovan West, & Jason Poe, linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel, & strong safety Leon O’Neal Jr.

Below is roster 1, with Alex Mack on the roster

 53-Man Roster:

1. QB 5 Trey Lance(2024)- $7,751,195
2. QB 7 Nate Sudfeld(2022)- $2,000,000
3. RB 25 Elijah Mitchell(2024)- $870,893
4. RB 22 Jeff Wilson Jr.(2022)- $1,085,000
5. RB 28 Trey Sermon(2024)- $1,107,485
6. RB 32 Tyrion Davis-Price(2025)- $928,826
7. FB 44 Kyle Juszcyzk(2025)- $2,958,750
8. WR 19 Deebo Samuel(2022)- $4,890,519
9. WR 11 Brandon Aiyuk(2023)- $3,417,641
10. WR 15 Jauan Jennings(2022)- $825,000
11. WR/KR/PR 3 Ray-Ray McCloud III(2023)- $1,910,000
12. WR 86 Danny Gray(2025)- $917,255
13. TE 85 George Kittle(2025)- $7,679,765
14. TE 89 Charlie Woerner(2023)- $940,258
15. TE 82 Ross Dwelley(2022)- $1,047,500
16. C 50 Alex Mack(2022)- $5,075,000
17. C 64 Jake Brendel(2022)- $895,000
18. C 61 Dohnovan West(2024)- $710,000
19. LG 65 Aaron Banks(2024)- $1,607,638
20. RG 76 Jaylon Moore(2024)- $905,759
21. RG 60 Daniel Brunskill(2022)- $2,433,000
22. LT 71 Trent Williams(2026)- $14,031,765
23. LT 68 Colton McKivitz(2022)- $895,000
24. RT 69 Mike McGlinchey(2022)- $10,880,000
25. RT 74 Spencer Burford(2025)- $873,014
26. DE 97 Nick Bosa(2023)- $10,805,564
27. DE 56 Samson Ebukam(2022)- $8,250,000
28. DE 53 Kemoko Turay(2022)- $1,700,000
29. DE 92 Kerry Hyder Jr.(2022)- $1,500,000
30. DE 95 Drake Jackson(2025)- $1,071,344
31. DE 94 Charles Omenihu(2022)- $2,540,000
32. DT 91 Arik Armstead(2024)- $9,576,000
33. DT 90 Kevin Givens(2022)- $895,000
34. NT 99 Javon Kinlaw(2023)- $4,224,191
35. NT 98 Hassan Ridgeway(2022)- $1,800,000
36. WLB 57 Dre Greenlaw(2022)- $2,620,429
37. MLB 54 Fred Warner(2026)- $8,134,588
38. MLB 48 Oren Burks(2023)- $1,408,000
39. SLB 51 Azeez Al-Shaair(2022)- $3,986,000
40. CB 35 Charvarius Ward(2024)- $3,800,000
41. CB 4 Emmanuel Moseley(2022)- $6,555,529
42. CB 20 Ambry Thomas(2024)- $1,087,693
43. CB 38 Deommodore Lenoir(2024)- $896,217
44. CB 26 Samuel Womack III(2025)- $775,831
45. CB 36 Tariq Castro-Fields(2025)- $738,003
46. FS 1 Jimmie Ward(2022)- $12,935,588
47. FS 33 Tarvarius Moore(2022)- $1,035,000
48. SS 29 Talanoa Hufanga(2024)- $885,038
49. SS 30 George Odum(2024)- $1,435,000
50. SS 14 Leon O’Neal Jr.(2024)- $708,333
51. PK 9 Robbie Gould(2022)- $5,509,313
52. P 18 Mitch Wishnowsky(2022)- $1,156,018
53. LS 46 Taybor Pepper(2022)- $1,120,000

Practice Squad:

1. QB 14 Brock Purdy- $207,000
2. RB 41 Jacob Mason- $207,000
3. FB 40 Josh Hokit- $207,000
4. WR 6 Marcus Johnson*- $277,200
5. WR 17 Malik Turner*- $277,200
6. WR 83 Tay Martin- $207,000
7. C 62 Jason Poe- $207,000
8. LG 63 Nick Zakelj- $207,000
9. LT 78 Sam Schlueter- $207,000
10. RT 77 Alfredo Gutierrez**- $0
11. DE 75 Jordan Willis*- $277,200
12. DT 96 Maurice Hurst Jr.*- $277,200
13. WLB 47 Jeremiah Gemmel- $207,000
14. SLB 40 Marcelino McCrary-Ball- $207,000
15. CB 43 Qwuantrezz Knight- $207,000
16. CB 27 Dontae Johnson*- $277,200
17. FS 41 Tayler Hawkins- $207,000

Injured Lists:

1. NT 93 Kalia Davis(2025)- $738,003
2. CB 2 Jason Verrett(2022)- $895,000

With this roster the 49ers would have a cap commitment of $180,730,946 for the 53-man roster, 16-man practice squad, & 2 injured players, plus $14,926,949 in dead money, for a total cap commitment of $195,657,895, leaving them $17,716,266 under their 2022 adjusted cap.

Below is roster 2, without Alex Mack

53-Man Roster:

1. QB 5 Trey Lance(2024)- $7,751,195
2. QB 7 Nate Sudfeld(2022)- $2,000,000
3. RB 25 Elijah Mitchell(2024)- $870,893
4. RB 22 Jeff Wilson Jr.(2022)- $1,085,000
5. RB 28 Trey Sermon(2024)- $1,107,485
6. RB 32 Tyrion Davis-Price(2025)- $928,826
7. FB 44 Kyle Juszcyzk(2025)- $2,958,750
8. WR 19 Deebo Samuel(2022)- $4,890,519
9. WR 11 Brandon Aiyuk(2023)- $3,417,641
10. WR 15 Jauan Jennings(2022)- $825,000
11. WR/KR/PR 3 Ray-Ray McCloud III(2023)- $1,910,000
12. WR 86 Danny Gray(2025)- $917,255
13. TE 85 George Kittle(2025)- $7,679,765
14. TE 89 Charlie Woerner(2023)- $940,258
15. TE 82 Ross Dwelley(2022)- $1,047,500
16. C 64 Jake Brendel(2022)- $895,000
17. C 61 Dohnovan West(2024)- $710,000
18. LG 65 Aaron Banks(2024)- $1,607,638
19. LG 63 Nick Zakelj(2025)- $752,590
20. RG 76 Jaylon Moore(2024)- $905,759
21. RG 60 Daniel Brunskill(2022)- $2,433,000
22. LT 71 Trent Williams(2026)- $14,031,765
23. LT 68 Colton McKivitz(2022)- $895,000
24. RT 69 Mike McGlinchey(2022)- $10,880,000
25. RT 74 Spencer Burford(2025)- $873,014
26. DE 97 Nick Bosa(2023)- $10,805,564
27. DE 56 Samson Ebukam(2022)- $8,250,000
28. DE 53 Kemoko Turay(2022)- $1,700,000
29. DE 92 Kerry Hyder Jr.(2022)- $1,500,000
30. DE 95 Drake Jackson(2025)- $1,071,344
31. DE 94 Charles Omenihu(2022)- $2,540,000
32. DT 91 Arik Armstead(2024)- $9,576,000
33. DT 90 Kevin Givens(2022)- $895,000
34. NT 99 Javon Kinlaw(2023)- $4,224,191
35. NT 98 Hassan Ridgeway(2022)- $1,800,000
36. WLB 57 Dre Greenlaw(2022)- $2,620,429
37. MLB 54 Fred Warner(2026)- $8,134,588
38. MLB 48 Oren Burks(2023)- $1,408,000
39. SLB 51 Azeez Al-Shaair(2022)- $3,986,000
40. CB 35 Charvarius Ward(2024)- $3,800,000
41. CB 4 Emmanuel Moseley(2022)- $6,555,529
42. CB 20 Ambry Thomas(2024)- $1,087,693
43. CB 38 Deommodore Lenoir(2024)- $896,217
44. CB 26 Samuel Womack III(2025)- $775,831
45. CB 36 Tariq Castro-Fields(2025)- $738,003
46. FS 1 Jimmie Ward(2022)- $12,935,588
47. FS 33 Tarvarius Moore(2022)- $1,035,000
48. SS 29 Talanoa Hufanga(2024)- $885,038
49. SS 30 George Odum(2024)- $1,435,000
50. SS 14 Leon O’Neal Jr.(2024)- $708,333
51. PK 9 Robbie Gould(2022)- $5,509,313
52. P 18 Mitch Wishnowsky(2022)- $1,156,018
53. LS 46 Taybor Pepper(2022)- $1,120,000

Practice Squad:

1. QB 14 Brock Purdy- $207,000
2. RB 41 Jacob Mason- $207,000
3. FB 40 Josh Hokit- $207,000
4. WR 6 Marcus Johnson*- $277,200
5. WR 17 Malik Turner*- $277,200
6. WR 83 Tay Martin- $207,000
7. C 62 Jason Poe- $207,000
8. LT 78 Sam Schlueter- $207,000
9. RT 77 Alfredo Gutierrez**- $0
10. DE 75 Jordan Willis*- $277,200
11. DT 96 Maurice Hurst Jr.*- $277,200
12. WLB 47 Jeremiah Gemmel- $207,000
13. SLB 40 Marcelino McCrary-Ball- $207,000
14. CB 43 Qwuantrezz Knight- $207,000
15. CB 27 Dontae Johnson*- $277,200
16. CB 31 Darqueze Dennard*- $277,200
17. FS 41 Tayler Hawkins- $207,000

Injured Lists:

1. NT 93 Kalia Davis(2025)- $738,003
2. CB 2 Jason Verrett(2022)- $895,000

With this roster the 49ers would have a cap commitment of $174,828,735 for the 53-man roster, 16-man practice squad, & 2 injured players, plus $16,104,359 in dead money, for a total cap commitment of $190,933,094, leaving them $22,441,067 under their 2022 adjusted cap.

Now, the team would get back some money in 2023, up-to $350,000 for Malik Turner, $250,000 for Marcus Johnson, up-to $560,000 for Dontae Johnson, and base salary guarantees for UDFAs, like Jordan Mason($30,000), Tay Martn($45,000), Jason. Poe($65,000), Sam Schuleter($45,000, Kevin Atkins($10,000), Marcelino McCrary-Ball($100,000), Qwuantrezz Knight($25,000), & Tayler Hawkins($50,000) this is of course depended on these players making enough money during the 2022 season, so that’s potentially extra cap room they could get for 2023 in a form of adjustments/credits.

Plus the 49ers will most likely get back workout bonus money from Jimmy Garoppolo($600,000), Deebo Samuel($50,000), & Alex Mack($100,000).

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, and you can find me on X/Twitter @49erscap, & on Blue Sky App @49erscap.bsky.social.

See author's posts