With Jeff Wilson Jr. tearing his meniscus today during OTA workouts, I’ve decided to update my projected 49ers roster, post Wilson injury, who is expected to miss 6 months, which means he should be placed on reserve/PUP to begin the 2021 season, meaning he has to miss 6 games before being eligible to return.
2021 Updated 49ers Roster:
OFFENSE:
QB(3): 10 Jimmy Garoppolo(2022)/ 5 Trey Lance(2024)/ 7 Nate Sudfeld(2021)
RB(4): 31 Raheem Mostert(2021)/ 28 Trey Sermon(2024)/ 22 Wayne Gallman Jr.(2021)/ 49 Elijah Mitchell(2024)
FB(1): 44 Kyle Juszyzck(2025)
WR(6): 11 Brandon Aiyuk(2023)/ 19 Deebo Samuel(2022)/ 81 Trent Sherfield(2021)/ 13 Richie James Jr.(2021)/ 14 Jalen Hurd(2022)/ 7 Austin Watkins Jr.(2023)
TE(3): 85 George Kittle(2025)/ 82 Ross Dwelley(2021)/ 89 Charlie Woerner(2023)
C(2): 50 Alex Mack(2023)/ 60 Daniel Brunskill(2021)
OG(3): 75 Laken Tomlinson(2021)/ 65 Aaron Banks(2024)/ 68 Colton McKivitz(2023)
OT(4): 71 Trent Williams(2026)/ 69 Mike McGlinchey(2022)/ 76 Jaylon Moore(2024)/ 67 Justin Skule(2022)
DEFENSE:
DE(5): 97 Nick Bosa(2022)/ 91 Arik Armstead(2024)/ 56 Samson Ebukam(2022)/ 98 Arden Key(2021)/ 94 Jordan Willis(2021)
DT(2): 99 Javon Kinlaw(2022)/ 96 Maurice Hurst Jr.(2021)
NT(2): 93 D.J. Jones(2021)/ 92 Zach Kerr(2021)
LB(4): 54 Fred Warner(2021)/ 57 Dre Greenlaw(2022)/ 51 Azeez Al-Shaair(2021)/ 58 Justin Hilliard(2023)
CB(6): 2 Jason Verrett(2021)/ 4 Emmanuel Moseley(2022)/ 24 K’Waun Williams(2021)/ 41 Ambry Thomas(2024)/ 38 Deommodore Lenoir(2024)/ 27 Dontae Johnson(2021)
FS(2): 20 Jimmie Ward(2022)/ 33 Tarvarius Moore(2021)
SS(3): 26 Jaquiski Tartt(2021)/ 36 Marcell Harris(2021)/ 29 Talanoa Hufanga(2024)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PK(1): 9 Robbie Gould(2022)
P(1): 6 Mitch Wishnowsky(2022)
LS(1): 46 Taybor Pepper(2022)
INJURED LISTS:
IR/PUP: DE 55 Dee Ford(2022)
PUP: RB 30 Jeff Wilson Jr.(2021)
SUSPENDED:
DT 90 Kevin Givens(2021)
PRACTICE SQUAD:
RB 23 JaMycal Hasty
FB 40 Josh Hokit
WR 15 Jauan Jennings
WR 18 Mohamed Sanu Sr.*
TE 83 Josh Pederson
C 64 Jake Brendel*
RG 61 Dakoda Shepley
LT 78 Shon Coleman*
OT 77 Alfredo Gutierrez**
DE 64 Alex Barrett
NT 65 Darrion Daniels
WLB 45 Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
MLB 47 Nathan Gerry*
SLB 59 Elijah Sullivan
CB 35 Tim Harris Jr.
FS 32 Tavon Wilson*
FS 7 Jared Mayden
Now, with this roster, these 73 players would account for $175,105,338, along with $14,583,911 in dead money, that would leave the team $6,456,773 under the 49ers adjusted cap, which is $196,146,022.
Now obviously, we’ve gone over these things in past article, namely from the other day, right here.
Now the 49ers will need at least $3 million to extend the contract of All-Pro MLB Fred Warner, who I project to get a 5-year extension, through 2026, with a $15 million signing bonus, between $18 million to $20 million a year on average, and well over $40 million in guaranteed money, with over $30 million is fully guaranteed money.
Also the team will want, and sometimes need to have around $5 million for in season roster moves, and with the latest injury to Wilson, the team may be forced to restructure a contract or two.
And as I’ve said before, the only logical choices are Arik Armstead, which would save them $4.528 million, and Laken Tomlinson, which would save them $2.808 million, for a total of $7.336 million, which would bring the 49ers salary cap space up to $13,792,773, before extending Warner, or $10,792,773 with a Warner extension.
I won’t go over everything else that I went over in the previous roster projection article, but I think it’s safe to say, the 49ers won’t be able to bring in a high priced free agent at either cornerback or EDGE rusher, nor will they be able to absorb Julio Jones’s $15 million salary, unless, as I’ve states, Jones takes less for 2021 & 2022 in exchange for a new deal, and/or the Falcons eat some of his salary.
Now, I know some out there will want to say the 49ers are in cap hell, or poor cap management, well that’s NOT the case, the FACT is, the NFL cap went down by over $17 million for 2021, when it should have went up from $198.2 million to $215 million, that’s a $32.5 million loss of potential cap room, which would have made it much easier, and possible to add a veteran CB, EDGE, and even Julio Jones.
And again, even if the 49ers were to trade or cut Jimmy Garoppolo, which news flash, it’s not happening, in 2022 their cap room would go from $22 million to under $10.5 million, then if you take away a modest $5.5 million cap number for Warner in 2022, they would have under $5 million in cap room to try and retain any pending free agents that they would want to re-sign, or add free agents, or be able to sign their draft class, which is the whole reason why the Falcons are trying to trade Julio Jones, since they have a little over $500,000 in cap room right now, with none of their draft picks signed.
Anyway, as always follow me on Twitter @49erscap, or leave a reply, and I’ll get back to you.
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