So, over the past few days I’ve went over 5 players who needed a breakout season, along with 5 players who I think may not return in 2022, now I want to look at 5 players who could sneak their way onto the 2021 53-man roster.
Running Back JaMycal Hasty:
Hasty was added to the active roster last season after many injuries to the 49ers running backs, namely Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., & Tevin Coleman, and in his limited playing time, Hasty looked really good, has nice speed, a strong runner, someone who can really thrive in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
The issue is/was the crowded backfield, ahead of him are Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, Wayne Gallman Jr., & Elijah Mitchell, and before his injury Jeff Wilson Jr. was also ahead of Hasty, but I think Hasty could sneak onto the 49ers 53-man roster.
I really believe that Mostert, Sermon & Mitchell are locked in, I don’t see anyway that Mitchell clears waivers, so it comes down to Wayne Gallman Jr., or JaMycal Hasty, so the 49ers will need to decide on who they feel is the best fit.
Gallman had a very good season for the Giants after Saquon Barkley tore his ACL, he’s a veteran, dependable, a good blocker, and pass catcher.
Hasty, as I said showed a lot in such short amount of playing time, nice burst, good overall speed, tough runner, hits the holes, and breaks tackles.
So, what could be the deciding factor? I don’t believe it will be their salary cap numbers, Gallman would count $850,000, while Hasty would count $780,000, that’s just a $70,000 difference.
With Gallman his salary would become fully guaranteed if he’s on the week 1 53-man roster, while Hasty’s deal wouldn’t be guaranteed.
You also have to factor in that Gallman would be a UFA in 2022, while Hasty would be a ERFA in 2022, RFA in 2023, & UFA in 2024, making Hasty easily controllable from a cap view.
So, what happens? I can’t tell you one way or the other, but what I can tell you is, this will be decided between training camp, and the preseason, so may the best back win.
Wide Receiver Jauan Jennings:
Jennings, a 2020 7th-round pick out of Tennessee wasn’t ready in 2020 to be on the teams 53-man roster, but from the limited amount of OTAs the 49ers had, Jennings was reported to have looked improved, someone who could, possibly, compete & push for the Slot WR spot.
I actually have Jennings on my latest 53-Man Roster projection, but as always things can change, this year Jennings will have an opportunity in camp & preseason to show he deserves a spot on the 53.
Linebacker Justin Hilliard:
The 49ers signed Hilliard as a UDFA out of Ohio State, a personal favorite of Nick Bosa, who told the 49ers brass, that they needed to get him, and they did, giving him $125,000 in guaranteed money.
If Hilliard can prove to be a good special teams player, and an adequate backup linebacker, then Hilliard has a legit shot at making the 53.
He’ll have to fight with veterans like Nathan Gerry, James Burgess Jr., plus young players like Azeez Al-Shaair, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Jonas Griffith, and fellow 2021 UDFA Elijah Sullivan.
Again, I can’t tell you what will happen, but I think Hilliard has as good of a shot at making the final 53 as any of the other linebackers listed above.
Defensive Back Jared Mayden:
Mayden is a guy that I liked a lot, and was glad that the 49ers kept on the practice squad all of 2020, and I believe he has a shot at making the roster.
The interesting part is, Mayden can play 3 positions, both free safety & strong safety, as well as cornerback, so he could either challenge for a 6th CB spot, or challenge for the backup free safety spot with recent signee Tony Jefferson, & Tavon Wilson, or push Marcell Harris off the roster.
Safety Tavon Wilson:
As of now I have the 49ers keeping 10 DBs, 5 CBs, and 5 Safeties, but Wilson isn’t one of them, but I can see him making the team.
Initially when the 49ers signed him, I thought he had a great shot at making the 53, but then the 49ers drafted Talanoa Hufanga, but now that Tarvarius Moore tore his Achilles, Wilson has a legit shot at making the roster, either as Jimmie Ward’s backup, or by pushing Marcell Harris off the roster as a backup strong safety.
A little bonus, kind of a honorary mention, well 3 of them.
Offensive Lineman Tom Compton, Senio Kelemete, & Shon Coleman:
Ok, I know, there’s 3 players listed, but, in my opinion, they’re fighting for 1 spot at the most, as I have 8 locks, those being Alex Mack, Daniel Brunskill, Trent Williams, Mike McGlinchey, Jaylon Moore, Laken Tomlinson, Aaron Banks, & Colton McKIvitz, but if the 49ers decide to keep a 9th offensive lineman, it’ll likely come down to the 3 players I listed.
Compton was with the 49ers all of 2020, while he’s not a great starter, what he does offer is versatility. He can play right guard, along with both tackle spots.
Coleman is an intriguing one, his first year with the 49ers, 2019, he tore his ACL in his preseason debut, then in 2020, he opted out due to COVID-19, while he also missed the 2018 season due to an injury, meaning he hasn’t played any meaningful football since 2017, which to me makes him a long shot, but he could surprise the 49ers, and make the final roster.
Kelemete is a guy who like Compton, is very versatile, as he can both guard spots, as well as being able to kickout and play tackle, while he’s had his fair share of injuries, missing the 2013 season, as well as missing 15 games in 2019. He’s played 88 games out of a possible 144 games over his 9-year career.
But his versatility will go along way, as we’ve seen, the 49ers under Kyle Shanahan love offensive lineman who are versatile.
So with all of this said, I thank everyone for reading article, as always you can follow me on Twitter @49erscap, or leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.
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