My 53-man roster projection, plus practice squad, & injured lists, plus a look at the 2024 & 2025 salary cap, version 5.0

With the 49ers winning their preseason home opener against the Saints, I think it’s time for my updated week 1 53-man roster projection, with practice squad, & injured lists, plus a look at both the 2024 & 2025 salary cap for the 49ers.

As of now the 49ers have 94 players currently signed, counting $284,741,592 against the 2024 salary cap, with $19,799,936 in dead money, as of now, for a total cap commitment of $304,541,528, putting them $30,847,306 under their adjusted salary cap of $297,358,834, which is a combination of a base $255.4 million cap, $36,395,265 in carryover from 2023, & $5,563,569 in adjustments.

Below are the 94 players signed, with their current salary cap number.

1. QB 13 Brock Purdy(2025)- $1,004,253
2. QB 5 Joshua Dobbs(2024)- $2,250,000
3. QB 17 Brandon Allen(2024)- $1,540,000
4. QB 4 Tanner Mordecai(2026)- $803,333
5. RB 23 Christian McCaffrey(2027)- $6,682,588
6. RB 25 Elijah Mitchell(2024)- $1,100,893
7. RB 24 Jordan Mason(2024)- $988,334
8. RB 49 Isaac Guerendo(2027)- $971,132
9. RB 38 Cody Schrader(2026)- $799,000
10. RB 32 Patrick Taylor Jr.(2024)- $1,055,000
11. RB 28 Matt Breida(2024)- $985,000
12. RB 31 Ke’Shawn Vaughn(2024)- $985,000
13. FB 44 Kyle Juszczyk(2025)- $3,606,750
14. WR 1 Deebo Samuel Sr.(2025)- $28,633,765
15. WR 11 Brandon Aiyuk(2024)- $14,124,000
16. WR 15 Jauan Jennings(2025)- $2,774,941
17. WR 14 Ricky Pearsall(2027)- $2,279,709
18. WR 83 Jacob Cowing(2027)- $927,177
19. WR 18 Chris Conley(2024)- $1,550,000
20. WR 19 Trent Taylor(2024)- $985,000
21. WR 10 Ronnie Bell(2026)- $934,446
22. WR 6 Danny Gray(2025)- $1,375,883
23. WR 86 Tay Martin(2024)- $795,000
24. WR 84 Jontre Kirklin(2024)- $795,000
25. WR 3 Frank Darby(2024)- $520,000 [Injured Reserve]
26. WR 7 Robbie Chosen(2024)- $985,000
27. TE 85 George Kittle(2025)- $12,204,575
28. TE 82 Eric Saubert(2024)- $1,081,250
29. TE 81 Cameron Latu(2026)- $1,205,473
30. TE 9 Brayden Willis(2026)-$934,975
31. TE 89 Mason Pline(2026)- $798,333
32. TE 88 Jake Tonges(2024)- $915,000
33. C 64 Jake Brendel(2026)- $4,692,000
34. C 78 Ben Bartch(2024)- $1,125,000
35. C 66 Drake Nugent(2026)- $800,000
36. LG 65 Aaron Banks(2024)- $3,742,110
37. LG 74 Spencer Burford(2025)- $1,153,014
38. LG 63 Nick Zakelj(2025)- $1,032,590
39. RG 77 Dominick Puni(2027)- $1,036,463
40. RG 55 Jon Feliciano(2024)- $2,280,000
41. RG 62 Jarrett Kingston(2027)- $829,597
42. RG 69 Lewis Kidd(2024)- $915,000
43. LT 71 Trent Williams(2026)- $31,568,542
44. LT 76 Jaylon Moore(2024)- $1,135,759
45. LT 60 Sebastian Gutierrez(2024)- $915,000
46. LT 67 Isaac Alarcón(2024)- $795,000
47. RT 68 Colton McKivitz(2026)- $2,913,000
48. RT 61 Chris Hubbard(2024)- $1,152,500
49. RT 75 Brandon Parker(2024)- $1,.010,000
50. DE 97 Nick Bosa(2028)- $14,671,000
51. DE 56 Leonard Floyd(2025)- $3,418,000
52. DE 94 Yetur Gross-Matos(2025)- $3,238,000
53. DE 95 Drake Jackson(2025)- $1,607,016 [reserve/PUP]
54. DE 51 Robert Beal Jr.(2026)- $976,245
55. DE 58 Alex Barrett(2024)- $915,000
56. DE 91 Sam Okuayinonu(2024)- $915,000
57. DE 78 Jonathan Garvin(2024)- $1,055,000
58. DT 99 Maliek Collins(2025)- $8,470,588
59. DT 90 Kevin Givens(2024)- $1,192,500
60. DT 92 Jordan Elliott(2025)- $2,140,000
61. DT 96 T.Y. McGill Jr.(2024)- $985,000
62. DT 60 Shakel Brown(2024)- $795,000
63. NT 98 Javon Hargrave(2026)- $9,270,882
64. NT 93 Kalia Davis(2025)- $1,018,003 [Will likely start the 2024 season on short term injured reserve]
65. NT 66 Evan Anderson(2026)- $805,000
66. NT 69 Nick Williams(2024)- $1,152,500
67. SLB 45 Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles(2024)- $1,292,500
68. SLB 48 Tatum Bethune(2027)- $815,452
69. MLB 54 Fred Warner(2026)- $12,649,000
70. MLB 50 Jalen Graham(2026)- $934,446
71. WLB 57 Dre Greenlaw(2024)- $9,602,970 [active/PUP, will likely start on reserve/PUP meaning he must miss the first 4 games at a minimum]
72. WLB 59 De’Vondre Campbell Sr.(2024)- $2,200,000
73. WLB 53 Dee Winters(2026)- $948,333
74. WLB 36 Curtis Robinson(2024)- $1,055,000
75. CB 7 Charvarius Ward(2024)- $18,401,000
76. CB 2 Deommodore Lenoir(2024)- $3,187,217
77. CB 22 Isaac Yiadom(2024)- $1,900,000
78. CB 33 Rock Ya-Sin(2024)- $1,152,500
79. CB 31 Renardo Green(2027)- $1,161,795
80. CB 28 Darrell Luter Jr.(2026)- $993,378
81. CB 0 Samuel Womack III(2025)- $1,055,831
82. CB 26 Chase Lucas(2024)- $985,000
83. CB 20 Ambry Thomas(2024)- $1,425,154 [Will likely start the 2024 season on short term injured reserve]
84. FS 27 Ji’Ayir Brown(2026)- $1,226,319
85. FS 41 Tayler Hawkins(2024)- $795,000
86. FS 49 Jaylen Mahoney(2026)- $797,666
87. SS 29 Talanoa Hufanga(2024)- $4,950,038 [active/PUP, if he doesn’t get activated then he likely begins the 2024 season on reserve/PUP, which means he must miss the first 4 games at a minimum]
88. SS 30 George Odum(2026)- $2,551,666
89. SS 43 Malik Mustapha(2027)- $979,734
90. SS 35 Tracy Walker III(2024)- $1,055,000
91. PK 4 Jake Moody(2026)- $1,205,473
92. P 3 Mitch Wishnowsky(2026)- $2,825,000
93. P 5 Pressley Harvin III(2024)- $1,055,000
94. LS 46 Taybor Pepper(2025)- $1,300,000

As of now, below is my current projection for the 49ers 2024 53-man roster, plus the practice squad, and injured lists.

OFFENSE:

QB(2): 13 Brock Purdy(2025), & 5 Joshua Dobbs(2024)

RB(4): 23 Christian McCaffrey(2027), 25 Elijah Mitchell(2024), 24 Jordan Mason(2024), & 38 Cody Schrader(2026)

FB(1): 44 Kyle Juszczyk(2025)

WR(5): 1 Deebo Samuel Sr.(2025), 11 Brandon Aiyuk(2024), 15 Jauan Jennings(2025), 14 Ricky Pearsall(2027), & 83 Jacob Cowing(2027)

TE(4): 85 George Kittle(2025), 82 Eric Saubert(2024), 9 Brayden Willis(2026), & 81 Cameron Latu(2026)

C(2): 64 Jake Brendel(2026), & 55 Jon Feliciano (2024)

LG(2): 65 Aaron Banks(2024), & 74 Spencer Burford(2025)

RG(1): 77 Dominick Puni(2027)

LT(2): 71 Trent Williams(2026), & 76 Jaylon Moore(2024)

RT(2): 68 Colton McKivitz(2025), & 61 Chris Hubbard(2024)

DEFENSE:

DE(4): 97 Nick Bosa(2028), 56 Leonard Floyd(2025), 94 Yetur Gross-Matos(2025), & 51 Robert Beal Jr.(2026)

DT(3): 99 Maliek Collins(2025), 90 Kevin Givens(2024), & 92 Jordan Elliott(2025)

NT(2): 98 Javon Hargrave(2026), & 69 Nick Williams(2024)

WLB(2): 59 De’Vandre Campbell Sr.(2024), & 53 Dee Winters(2026)

MLB(2): 54 Fred Warner(2026), & 50 Jalen Graham(2026)

SLB(2): 45 Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles(2024), & 48 Tatum Bethune(2027)

CB(6): 7 Charvarius Ward(2024), 2 Deommodore Lenoir(2024), 22 Isaac Yiadom(2024), 33 Rock Ya-Sin(2024), 31 Renardo Green(2027), & 28 Darrell Luter Jr.(2026)

FS(1): 27 Ji’Ayir Brown(2026)

SS(3): 29 Talanoa Hufanga(2024), 30 George Odum(2026), & 43 Malik Mustapha(2027)

SPECIAL TEAMS:

PK(1): 4 Jake Moody(2026)

P(1): 3 Mitch Wishnowsky(2026)

LS(1): 46 Taybor Pepper(2025)

PUP:

DE 95 Drake Jackson(2025)

WLB 57 Dre Greenlaw(2024)

INJURED RESERVE:

RB 49 Isaac Guerendo(2027) – Short Term IR

WR 3 Frank Darby(2024) – Season-Ending IR

NT 93 Kalia Davis(2025) – Short Term IR

CB 20 Ambry Thomas(2024) – Short Term IR

PRACTICE SQUAD:

QB 17 Brandon Allen*
WR 18 Chris Conley*
WR 86 Tay Martin
WR 10 Ronnie Bell
TE 88 Jake Tonges
C 66 Drake Nugent
C 78 Ben Bartch*
RG 62 Jarrett Kingston
LT 67 Isaac Alacron**
RT 75 Brandon Parker*
DE 58 Alex Barrett
DT 60 Shakel Brown
NT 66 Evan Anderson
WLB 36 Curtis Robinson*
CB 0 Samuel Womack III
CB 26 Chase Lucas
SS 35 Tracy Walker III*

Note that one asterisk means the player is one of the 6 players allowed on the practice squad that have more than 2 accrued seasons, while the two asterisk means that the player is apart of the international pathway program, which means he doesn’t count against the salary cap, or the practice squad limit, but he’s ineligible to play in a game during the 2024 season.

Ok, so with this roster the 49ers would have 76 players signed for the 2024 season, accounting for $254,978,063, along with $22,080,987 in dead money, for a total cap commitment of $277,059,050, leaving them $20,299,784 under their adjusted salary cap.

Next is the pending 2025 free agents with this roster.

UFA:

QB Joshua Dobbs
RB Elijah Mitchell
WR Brandon Aiyuk
TE Eric Saubert
C Jon Feliciano
LG Aaron Banks
LT Jaylon Moore
RT Chris Hubbard
DT Kevin Givens
SLB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
WLB Dre Greenlaw
WLB De’Vondre Campbell Sr.
CB Charvarius Ward
CB Deommodore Lenoir
CB Isaac Yiadom
CB Rock Ya-Sin
CB Ambry Thomas
SS Talanoa Hufanga
SS Tracy Walker III

RFA:

RB Jordan Mason

As for 2025, the 49ers would have 38 players signed, before extending Ayiuk, with the 37 players accounting for $255,590,999, with $34,482,794 in dead money, for a total cap commitment of $290,073,794, which would put the team $10,073,793 over a projected $280 million cap for 2025, but that’s with just 39 players signed, and $20,993,793 over that $280 million projected cap, with 51 players signed, with the 13 players required to get to 51 making $840,000 each, which is the league minimum in 2025.

Below are the 38 players that they’d have under contract for 2025 under my current 2024 roster projection, with their cap numbers.

1. QB 13 Brock Purdy(2025)- $1,119,253
2. RB 23 Christian McCaffrey(2027)- $9,806,000
3. RB 49 Isaac Guerendo(2027)- $1,136,132
4. RB 38 Cody Schrader(2026)- $964,000
5. FB 44 Kyle Juszczyk(2025)- $6,496,750
6. WR 1 Deebo Samuel Sr.(2025)- $24,200,529
7. WR 15 Jauan Jennings(2025)- $4,258,000
8. WR 14 Ricky Pearsall(2027)- $2,849,635
9. WR 83 Jacob Cowing(2027)- $1,092,117
10. TE 85 George Kittle(2025)- $22,085,000
11. TE 81 Cameron Latu(2026)- $1.446,568
12. TE 9 Brayden Willis(2026)- $1,049,975
13. C 64 Jake Brendel(2026)- $4,447,000
14. LG 74 Spencer Burford(2025)- $1,268,014
15. RG 77 Dominick Puni(2027)- $1,295,579
16. LT 71 Trent Williams(2026)- $34,106,777
17. RT 68 Colton McKivitz(2025)- $4,678,000
18. DE 97 Nick Bosa(2028)- $20,519,105
19. DE 56 Leonard Floyd(2025)- $10,108,000
20. DE 94 Yetur Gross-Matos(2025)- $9,653,000
21. DE 95 Drake Jackson(2025)- $1,874,852
22. DE 51 Robert Beal Jr.(2026)- $1,091,245
23. DT 99 Maliek Collins(2025)- $10,000,000
24. DT 92 Jordan Elliott(2025)- $3,465,000
25. NT 98 Javon Hargrave(2026)- $28,125,000
26. NT 93 Kalia Davis(2025)- $1,133,003
27. WLB 53 Dee Winters(2026)- $1,063,333
28. MLB 54 Fred Warner(2026)- $29,147,000
29. MLB 50 Jalen Graham(2026)- $1,049,446
30. SLB 48 Tatum Bethune(2027)- $1,049,446
31. CB 31 Renardo Green(2027)- $1,452,244
32. CB 28 Darrell Luter Jr.(2026)- $1,108,378
33. FS 27 Ji’Ayir Brown(2026)- $1,471,583
34. SS 30 George Odum(2026)- $3,971,666
35. SS 43 Malik Mustapha(2027)- $1,144,734
36. PK 4 Jake Moody(2026)- $1,446,588
37. P 3 Mitch Wishnowsky(2026)- $3,050,000
38. LS 46 Taybor Pepper(2025)- $1,430,000

I have to note that quarterback Brock Purdy will see his 2025 base salary escalate from the minimum of $1.1 million to whatever the 2^nd-round RFA tender amount would be, which if the 2025 cap is indeed $280 million, then it should come in at around $5.361 million, which would be an increase of $470,000 from the 2024 number of $4.89 million, which would then be a $4.261 million increase to Purdy’s cap number, putting the 49ers $14,334,793 over a projected $280 million cap, but with just 38 players signed, and $25,254,793 over a projected $280 million cap, but with 51 players signed, again with the 13 players required to get to 51 players making $840,000 each.

Now, let’s go back to this season, where obviously, the 49ers want to get Brandon Aiyuk extended beyond 2024, & they can do this by giving him a 4-5 year extension, averaging in the $28 million to $30 million a year, with a $25 million signing bonus this year, which would save the 49ers $7.999 million in salary cap room, which would give the 49ers $28,298,784 in cap room to enter the 2024 season.

An Aiyuk extension, which doesn’t seem unlikely, as the two sides have begin reengaging in contract talks, despite the fact that Aiyuk has requested a trade, & he apparently wants to be either a 49er long term, or traded to the Steelers, but I’d expect if the 49ers do reach an extension, his 2025 cap hit would likely be in the $12 million range, so, if we add Aiyuk to the 49ers 2025 salary cap commitment, they would end up being $26,334,793 over a projected cap of $280 million, with 39 players signed, and $36,414,793 over the projected $280 million cap, with 51 players signed, again with the difference, this time 12 players, making $840,000 each, but this doesn’t include the 49ers potential carryover amount, which as I stated, they’d be $28,298,784 under their 2024 adjusted cap, with the team likely setting aside $5 million for any roster moves made during the 2024 season, which would include new signings, players released, practice squad elevations, & paying back any per game roster bonuses earned by players, which would then give the 49ers $23,298,784 in potential carryover from 2024 into 2025.

Now, if we add in that $23,298,784 into a projected 2025 adjusted salary cap for the 49ers, which would give them a 2025 adjusted salary cap of $304,333,784, but this is before any potential adjustments, which are essentially credits for money given out to players, like base salary guarantees, per game roster bonuses that aren’t achieved that count against the cap, or LTBE incentives that aren’t attained, it can even include, unfortunately, NLTBE incentives that are attained, meaning that amount would get subtracted from whatever credits they’d get.

Without the potential adjustments included, the 49ers would end up being $3,036,009 over a projected 2025 adjusted cap of $303,298,784, with 39 players signed, and $13,116,009 over that projected 2025 adjusted cap, with the remaining 12 players needed to get to 51 players making $840,000 each.

But now let’s look at what the 49ers adjustments could look like.

First, players with base salary guarantees that aren’t on my projected 2024 53-man roster, either veterans, or UDFAs.

QB Brandon Allen – $400,000

WR Chris Conley – $210,000

C Drake Nugent – $175,000

NT Evan Anderson – $250,000

That comes up to $1.035 million, which would leave the 49ers $2,001,009 over a new 2025 adjusted cap of $304,333,784, but again with just 39 players signed, and $12,081,009 over that new projected 2025 adjusted cap.

Now, the 49ers have several LTBE incentives currently counting against the 2024 salary cap, so let’s look at those.

WR Deebo Samuel Sr. – $150,000, which is for having 3 or more rushing touchdowns.

C Jake Brendel – $500,000, which is for an unknown playtime percentage.

RT Colton McKivitz – $620,000, which is for an unknown playtime percentage.

CB Charvarius Ward – $500,000, which is broken down into $250,000 for making the Pro Bowl, and $250,000 for being named an All-Pro.

At this time, I won’t try to project whether or not any of the above 4 players will achieve or not achieve these LTBE incentives, but if they all are healthy, & play either as they did in 2023, or have similar playtime percentage, then they should all earn these.

Now, let’s look at the 49ers NLTBE incentives that don’t count against the 2024 salary cap.

WR Deebo Samuel Sr. – $500,000, which is for him reaching 380 or more rushing yards, which he has yet to do.

DE Leonard Floyd – $2 million, which is broken down like this, $500,000 for 8 or more sacks, $1 million for 10 or more sacks, & $2 million for 12 or more sacks, so in order to earn the full $2 million, he needs to have at least 12 sacks, which would be a great thing for the 49ers, as they haven’t had someone with double digit sacks, besides Nick Bosa, since Arik Armstead in 2020.

WLB Dre Greenlaw – $500,000, which is for making the Pro Bowl, which is possible, but it would mean that he’s ready to go week 1, but it’s more likely he doesn’t hit this, because despite having pretty damn good-great seasons in 20-22 & 2023, he wasn’t selected to the Pro Bowl.

SS George Odum – $1.5 million, but this is for unknown requirements, but it’s also possible that these were taken out of his contract when he signed a 2-year extension back before free agency began in March, but if they are in there, then $250,000 would be for being named to the Pro Bowl like he was in 2022.

P Mitch Wishnowsky – $450,000, which is broken down like this, $250,000 for being named to the Pro Bowl, $100,000 for net punting, & another $100,000 for punt percentage, unfortunately I don’t know the percentages for these incentives, but Wishnowsky earned the $100,000 for net punting back in 2022, but didn’t in 2023 as the 49ers didn’t punt at the same rate as they did in 2022.

All totaled, they add up to $4.95 million in potential incentives, but I don’t see all of these being earned, as Samuel has yet to reach 380 or more rushing yards, I don’t know how likely it is Floyd hits anywhere from 8-12 sacks to earn the $2 million, also if Greenlaw doesn’t begin the season on the 53-man roster, there’s literally no way he’d be named as a Pro Bowler, but I can see Odum, & Wishnowsky hitting some of the potential incentives, as 1. Odum is a great special teams ace, and 2. Wishnowsky is one of the best punters in the NFL, as he’s already reached the net punting incentive before, so it’s possible he could earn some of those $450,000 incentives, but for now I won’t try to project what potential NLTBE incentives are earned or not earned.

The last thing I want to mention about the 2024 season, they would need the following cap room to payback several players, for a total of $785,882.

RB Christian McCaffrey – $29,412
WR Deebo Samuel Sr. – $88,235
WR Jauan Jennings – $147,059
LT Trent Williams – $88,235
DE Yetur Gross-Matos – $150,000
DT Maliek Collins – $29,412
NT Javon Hargrave – $44,118
WLB Dre Greenlaw – $29,412
WLB De’Vondre Campbell – $120,000
SS George Odum – $60,000

Also in 2025, the 49ers can save quite a bit of salary cap room by restructuring deals or extending players, with them listed below.

WR Deebo Samuel – $12,344,423 (Extension or Restructure)

TE George Kittle – $10.516 million (Extension or Restructure)

LT Trent Williams – $16.996 million (Extension or Restructure)

NT Javon Hargrave – $14.916 million (Extension or Restructure)

MLB Fred Warner – $13.116 million (Extension or Restructure)

We also have 49ers star left tackle Trent Williams currently holding out for a new deal and if they extend him this year, they would likely extend him through 2028, while resetting the left tackle market once again, Williams’s $23.01 million a yeaer average puts him behind just Minnesota Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw($26 million APY), Houston Texans’ Laremy Tunsil($25 million APY), & New York Giants’ Andrew Thomas($23.5 million APY).

As for guaranteed money, the current highest paid left tackles above Williams, guaranteed money wise, are Minnesota Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw($77,516,929, $43.725 million fully guaranteed), New York Giants’ Andrew Thomas($67 million, all fully guaranteed), Houston Texans’ Laremy Tunsil($60 million, $50 million fully guaranteed), Philadelphia Eagles’ Jordan Mailata($48 million, $41 million fully guaranteed), then it’s Trent Williams($45.1 million, $40.05 million fully guaranteed).

Now, Williams may want to actually eclipse what the highest paid offensive tackle currently makes, which is Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tristan Wirfs, who got a $28.125 million per year extension, with $88.244 million guaranteed, with $52.244 million of it being fully guaranteed, and also the Detroit Lions’ Penei Sewell, who got a $28 million per year extension, with $85 million guaranteed, with $42,986,236 of it being fully guaranteed, so I can see Williams wanting to get somewhere in the $28.5 million a year, with him wanting to get more guaranteed than what Andrew Thomas got, and close to what Wirfs, or Sewell got.

If the 49ers did extend Trent Williams this offseason, before the 2024 season begins, the 49ers could save up to $15.072 million, while Williams would get a $18.84 million signing bonus, prorated over 5-years, at $3.768 million from 2024-2028.

The 49ers could also save cap room in 2024 if they can reach an extension with cornerback Charvarius Ward, who is set to count $12.298 million in 2025 in dead money, due to his original deal having 2 void years, & then when the 49ers restructured his deal in 2023, so with an extension, they could wipe out that $12.298 million in dead money for 2025, while having him then signed for the long term, plus they could likely get his 2025 cap number at or even below the $12.298 million dead money number.

If they did extend Charvarius Ward this offseason, before the 2024 season begins, the 49ers could save up to $9.148 million, while Ward would get a $11.435 million signing bonus, which would prorate over 5-years, at $2.287 million from 2024-2028, this is assuming they give Ward a 4-year extension, averaging somewhere in the $20 million a year range, which would put him inside the top 5 highest paid cornerbacks, right behind Green Bay Packers’ Jaire Alexander($21 million APY), & Cleveland Browns’ Denzel Ward($20.1 million APY), while he’d be tied with Miami Dolphins’ Jalen Ramsey($20 million APY), and right ahead of Baltimore Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey, who is at $19.5 million a year.

As for guaranteed money, the current top 5 highest cornerbacks are, Cleveland Browns’ Denzel Ward($71.25 million, $44.5 million fully guaranteed), Miami Dolphins’ Jalen Ramsey($71.203 million, $43.703 million fully guaranteed), New Orleans Saints’ Marshon Lattimore($68,346,588, $44,346,588 fully guaranteed), Baltimore Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey($66,957,407, $39,957,407 fully guaranteed), & Tennessee Titans’ L’Jarius Sneed($55 million, $51.5 million fully guaranteed), while currently Ward’s deal had $26.62 million guaranteed, with $18.06 million of it being fully guaranteed, so he’ll want a significant increase in guaranteed money, especially fully guaranteed money, I doubt the 49ers will go anywhere near Denzel Ward, Jalen Ramsey, & Marlon Humphrey’s guaranteed totals, but a deal along the lines of L’Jarius Sneed, with a bit over $55.5 million guaranteed, with somewhere in the range of $45 million fully guaranteed, which would put him only behind L’Jarius Sneed’s $51.5 million in fully guaranteed money.

If I had to bet on which of the two players, Trent Williams or Charvarius Ward, would be extended, I’d say it’s more likely Williams gets a new deal, as comments from Ward earlier in the offseason indicated he wanted to possibly test the market in free agency, but he also has stated he hopes to be a 49er beyond 2024, so a deal before his current deal voids, which should be, according to OverTheCap.com, 5 days after the end of the 2025 Super Bowl, which is February 9, 2025, so Ward’s deal should void on February 14, 2025, so the 49ers will need to get a deal done before then to avoid the $12.298 million dead money hit, & if they were to re-sign him after the deal voids, he’d essentially have 2 cap hits, the $12.298 million in dead money, and whatever his 2025 cap number would be.

If the 49ers were to extend Trent Williams, they’d could see their cap room for 2024 potentially increase from $20,299,784 all the way up to $35,371,784, while setting aside $5 million like I mentioned earlier, would give the 49ers potentially $30,371,784 in potential carryover, which would put the 49ers, before an Aiyuk extension, but with Purdy’s base salary increasing from $1.1 million to $5.361 million, $17,071,991 under a new projected 2025 adjusted salary cap of $311,406,784, but that is with just 38 players signed, and with enough to get to 51, they’d be $6,151,991 under that new projected 2025 adjusted salary cap.

Now, when we add in an Aiyuk deal with a $12 million cap hit for 2025, the 49ers would be, before a Trent Williams extension, $26,334,793 over the projected $280 million cap for 2025, but with just 39 players signed, and $36,414,793 over with 51 players signed, that’s before factoring in any carryover or adjustments.

Now, with a Trent Williams extension, plus Aiyuk’s deal included, that would give the 49ers $43,370,784 in 2024 cap room, with a potential of $38,370,784 in carryover from 2024 to 2025, leaving the 49ers $13,070,991 under a new 2025 adjusted cap of $319,405,784, with just 39 players signed, and $2,990,991 under with enough players to get to 51 players under contract.

Now, if Charvarius Ward were to extend his deal before the 2024 season begins, they would see their 2024 cap room increase from $43,370,784 to $52,518,784, while again setting aside $5 million in cap room for in season roster moves, which would give them potentially $47,518,784 in carryover from 2024 to 2025, which would, with the Trent Williams extension, give the 49ers a new projected 2025 adjusted salary cap of $328,553,784, the 49ers would be $22,218,991 under that new projected 2025 adjusted cap, with just 39 players signed, and $12,138,991 under with enough players to get to 51 players under contract.

I should note that any extension for Trent Williams would most likely lower his 2025, & maybe his 2026 salary cap number, which would give them even more salary cap room, but that’s tough to project, as they could save up to $16.996 million in 2025 with an extension or restructure, this is if the 49ers weren’t to extend him this offseason, but rather in 2025.

Now, about the roster, I want to explain why I went with certain players over others.

At quarterback, I went with 2, even though I’m not 100% sure if the new 3^rd QB rule that now allows a practice squad quarterback to be the 3^rd QB, whether that practice squad player counts against the players maximum allowed games, which is 3, as well as counting against the max of 2 players from the practice squad being elevated, so I decided to keep just Purdy & Dobbs, if the rule is the opposite, & it does count, I would have Brandon Allen as the 3^rd QB, & cutting someone else, while Allen would be the 3^rd QB each week.

I went with 4 running backs, & 1 fullback, due to injuries mainly, as we’ve seen in past years that the 49ers backs can’t stay healthy, but also so the 49ers have options to keep Christian McCaffrey fresh, as he was pretty much the primary RB for the first 16 games, while sitting out the final game, since the 49ers had already wrapped up the 1 seed.

At wide receiver I went with just 5, because I believe the 5 I have are all locked into roster spots, both on the 53-man roster, but also the 48-man active gameday roster, now if the 49ers were to keep a 6^th WR it would likely be Chris Conley or Ronnie Bell, but the fact is the 49ers are unlikely to have all 6 receivers active on gameday, and if the 49ers do trade Aiyuk, then either Conley and/or Bell would make the team, but hopefully the 49ers don’t deal Aiyuk, but if they do, hopefully they can acquire a good wide receiver to help replace him.

I kept 4 tight ends, because the team just doesn’t have a clear #2, as of now, I believe Eric Saubert will be the 49ers #2 TE, while I decided to keep Brayden Willis & Cameron Latu on the 53-man roster.

On the offensive line, I kept the 9 because I believe they’re the best 9 on the roster right now, I also would keep 3 OL on the practice squad, so it comes down to the likes of Ben Bartch, who offers versatility as he can play center, & both guard spots, Brandon Parker, who is mostly a right tackle, who could battle with Chris Hubbard, and Nick Zakelj, who can play all over the OL to potentially beat out Jaylon Moore, but it seems more likely that Moore makes the final 53, as he can play both Tackle spots.

When it comes to the defensive ends/edge rushers, the 4 I kept are the only 4 I can see making the team, the 49ers already made Nick Bosa the highest paid non-QB, & defensive player, while they gave Leonard Floyd, & Yetur Gross-Matos significant money, with Floyd averaging $10 million a year, and Gross-Matos $9 million a year, while I have Robert Beal Jr. as the 4^th EDGE, who I believe has upside, and I can see the team bringing in a veteran edge rusher after the 53-man roster cuts are made, depending on who’s available on the open market, especially with Drake Jackson now on reserve/PUP for the 2024 season.

With the defensive tackles/nose tackles, I kept 5, as the 49ers gave Javon Hargrave $21 million a year last offseason, while they signed Jordan Elliott to a 2-year deal, worth $7 million, as well as re-signing Kevin Givens, and trading for Maliek Collins, as the team did release Arik Armstead with a post June 1 designation, due to Armstead not being willing to take a pay cut, as for the final IDL spot, I went with new 49er Nick Willams, since Kalia Davis is going to miss most of the 2024 season, but FAU UDFA Evan Anderson, who got $250,000 of his base salary for 2024 fully guaranteed, has a legit shot to make the 2024 53-man roster.

At linebacker, I went with 6, as I see Fred Warner, & De’Vondre Campbell starting week 1 as the 49ers top 2 LBs, until Dre Greenlaw, who suffered a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl, is able to return, so he’ll start the season on the reserve/PUP list where he’ll have to sit out the first 4 games, & this is the best thing for the 49ers if Greenlaw can’t go week 1, as he wouldn’t go on short term IR, thus not counting towards the max of 8 players that the team can bring back off of IR, as for the other 4 LBs, I believe Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles will start the season as the teams’ strongside linebacker, while 2023 draft picks Dee Winters, & Jalen Graham round out the LB group on gameday, with Tatum Bethune as ther teams’ 6^th LB, I can see the team keeping Curtid Robinson, who I have on the practice squad, as he has no guaranteed money, & is on a minimum salary contract, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he makes the 53, but I’d have him on the practice squad, and I don’t know if the 49ers want to risk losing any of the 3 linebackers(Winters, Graham, & Bethune) who would have to clear waivers.

With the cornerbacks, I kept 6, as I have 5 if them as locks, the 49ers drafted Renardo Green in the 2^nd-round, while the teams other cornerbacks would be Mooney Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Isaac Yiadom, & Rock Ya-Sin, but only Green would be signed past 2024, with those other 4 players set to be UFAs after 2024. For the 49ers 6^th cornerback, the battle, in my eyes, will come down to the likes of Chase Lucas, Darrell Luter Jr., & Samuel Womack III, with Luter having the upper hand, as I see it, Thomas has no business being near the field, Lucas could be a core special teams player, & backup slot CB, while Luter & Womack are good on special teams, despite Luter’s disaster on the punt return that went off of him in the Super Bowl, which led to a score by the Chiefs, but I don’t blame only him, as former 49ers return man Ray-Ray McCloud III deciding to try & pick the ball up, when he should of just fell on top of it, so both were at fault, while with Womack, he was among the teams inactives, which may show that they don’t have much confidence in him, but he brings both outside and slot experience to the table, but I decided to keep Luter, as I see him as having high upside.

As for the safeties, it’s obvious the 4 I have will be the 4, baring injuries, to make the 53-man roster, with Talanoa Hufanga, & Ji’Ayir Brown starting, and 4^th-rounder Malik Mustapha & George Odum making it as the backups.

On special teams, the 49ers only have 3 players, Jake Moody at place kicker, Mitch Wishnowsky at punter, & Taybor Pepper at long snapper, as for who will be the return men, I see someone like Isaac Guerendo or Cody Schrader potentially returning kicks, and either 1^st-round pick Ricky Pearsall or 4^th-round pick Jacob Cowing could return punts, but hopefully the team can figure that out, and whoever it/they are will be dependable, & produces, which is why I can see the team potentially keeping someone like Trent Taylor over a Ronnie Bell or Chris Conley as one of the teams’ wide receivers.

With that said, I thank you for reading, and you can follow me on X/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.

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