Breaking down the 49ers current roster, who are my early locks, 50/50, & longshot to make the 2022 roster, with analysis

With the NFL offseason underway, let’s take a look at the 49ers current roster, and who I would have making the team in 2022, who’s a longshot, 50/50, etc….

I have the following players as locks, either because it’s a given, it makes sense, or due to their salary cap number being guaranteed.

1. QB Trey Lance(2024) – This is easy, the 49ers gave up 2 future 1’s, & a 3 to get their QB of the future, and I do believe Lance will end up being that.
2. QB Nate Sudfeld(2022) – Kind of a head scratcher to be honest, the 49ers gave him a 1-year deal, with a fully guaranteed $2 million base salary, so he’s making the team.
3. RB Elijah Mitchell(2024) – Mitchell had a hell of a rookie year, and with the departure of Raheem Mostert, it’s now Mitchell’s job as RB1
4. RB Trey Sermon(2024) – Even though he wasn’t used much in 2021, he’s a guy I feel is part of the teams plans for 2022 & beyond, plus with Mostert gone, & Jeff Wilson Jr. still unsigned, I think Sermon becomes RB2
5. FB Kyle Juszczyk(2025) – Obvious, Juice is the best FB in the NFL, and one of the best all around players, as he just doesn’t play FB, he can block, he can lineup in the slot, he can catch, & run the ball, and hell, he can even be the backup holder.
6. WR Deebo Samuel(2022) – Deebo became a Bonafide superstar last season, and is in line for a huge money extension, likely in the $24 million a year range.
7. WR Brandon Aiyuk(2023) – Whether you agree with Kyle Shanahan’s tough love in 2021, the fact is, it worked, as Aiyuk was on fire down the stretch, and he’s a guy I really believe the 49ers will extend next offseason, as you don’t take a player, have him for 4-year, or 5 in the case of Aiyuk, and let him walk, this regime has shown they prioritize their own players first, & foremost.
8. WR Jauan Jennings(2022) – JJ really stepped up in 2021, he was a 3rd down machine, he’s an up & coming player, he’s got a bright future with the 49ers.
9. WR/KR/PR Ray-Ray McCloud(2023) – The 49ers signed the best Punt Returner on the open market this offseason, and he can also return kicks, as well as play out of the slot as a WR, look for big things from McCloud.
10. TE George Kittle(2025) – Kittle is the best all around TE in the NFL, no one else is better in my opinion, his numbers may not show it, but he’s a beast, he loves blocking, and he just loves football.
11. TE Charlie Woerner(2023) – I really like Woerner, he came on last year, improving his blocking, as well as showing some good receiving abilities.
12. C Alex Mack(2023) – Unless Mack retires, he’s the teams starting center come 2022, and he should be, he knows the system like the back of his hand, & he’s a damn good center, even in his mid-late 30s.
13. LG Aaron Banks(2024) – Banks didn’t get much playing time last season, and with the departure of Laken Tomlinson, Banks will now get the shot at being the teams LG, which was his college position, and his most comfortable spot on the offensive line.
14. LG Colton McKivitz(2022) – McKivitz, who I feel should have never been waived in the first place, had a very good season when he was signed off the teams practice squad, thankfully no one signed him, and he showed his versatility, he was very good at LT week 18 at the Rams in place of Trent Williams.
15. RG Daniel Brunskill(2022) – Brunskill got the right of first refusal tender, which doesn’t guarantee the 49ers any compensation if lost, but I do believe he returns, maybe on a multi-year deal, he’s not great, but he’s a very good offensive lineman, with so much versatility, being able to play not only RG, but also C & RT.
16. LT Trent Williams(2026) – What can we say that hasn’t been said about Trent? He’s the best LT in all of the NFL, he’s being paid as it, deservingly so, and he may have had his best season in 2021.
17. LT Jaylon Moore(2024) – Moore showed good stuff in limited playing time, showing he can play not just LT, but also RT, he could be the teams future at RT, or he could end up inside at RG, but he has a lot of upside.
18. RT Mike McGlinchey(2022) – This one is a guarantee, his $10.88 million cap number is fully guaranteed, but, I do think, before his injury, he was having his best season, especially as a pass protector, but can he come back strong? Hopefully, if not, the 49ers better have a backup plan.
19. DE Nick Bosa(2022) – Nick had an amazing season, after tearing his ACL week 2 of the 2020 season, he came back stronger than ever, and he’s in line to become the first $30 million a year non-quarterback, and I think he reaches $32 million a year on his extension this year.
20. DE Samson Ebukam(2022) – I don’t see anyway the 49ers getting rid of Ebukam, he’s earned his spot, as a matter of fact, I would love to see the 49ers extend Ebukam, because he’s worth extending, and it would save the team $3.892 million.
21. DE Charles Omenihu(2022) – The 49ers gave up a 2023 6th-rounder to get Omenihu, and he played very well as a 49er in 2021, he’s a lock to be here, especially since the 49ers have just 3 real healthy NFL EDGE rushers on the roster
22. DE Dee Ford(2022) – Dee recently restructured his deal, saving the team $4.96 million, so I think he’s a part of the team, in one way or another, and hopefully he comes in healthy, but it’s not very likely.
23. DT Arik Armstead(2024) – Armstead really came on when he was moved inside, earning that $17 million a year, he was a beast down the stretch, and he’s here to stay in my opinion, hopefully for as long as possible.
24. DT Javon Kinlaw(2023) – I have all the faith in Kinlaw, unfortunately he was hurt last year, ending his season, but he had his knee surgery done by the same doctor as Nick Bosa did, so hopefully he comes back strong, cause after losing D.J. Jones, the 49ers need Kinlaw to step up.
25. DT Kevin Givens(2022) – Givens really stepped up after Kinlaw was placed on injured reserve, he helped inside at both DT, & NT, so in my opinion, he’s here for the foreseeable future.
26. NT Hassan Ridgeway(2022) – The 49ers are hoping Ridgeway, who signed a 1-year, $1.8 million deal this offseason, will come in, and help fill the void left by Jones, but that’s not to say he can do it all by himself, it’s got to be a group of guys, as the team will rotate 8-9 defensive lineman.
27. WLB Dre Greenlaw(2022) – Unless the 49ers for some reason trade Greenlaw, he’s here to stay for 2022, whether he’s here beyond 2022 is another question, but the 49ers may finally have a really good linebacker group.
28. MLB Fred Warner(2026) – One of the best pure linebackers in the NFL, along with Colts’ Darrius Leonard, is coming off a good season, but it wasn’t what we’re used to seeing, but I have no worries about Fred coming in, and being his 2020 self.
29. MLB Oren Burks(2023) – Burks signed a 2-year deal, worth $5 million this offseason, and he’s here as a special teamer primarily, as he’s a very good special teamer, but he can also help at linebacker if needed.
30. SLB Azeez Al-Shaair(2022) – Al-Shaair was tendered at the 2nd-round level, so I don’t see the 49ers losing him, and hopefully they can work out an extension, and save some cap room, as for Azeez, he really showed up in 2021, he was 2nd in tackles for the 49ers in 2021, he’s really gotten better, & better each year.
31. CB Charvarius Ward(2024) – Ward signed a 3-year deal, worth $40.5 million, and I love this signing, he’s a guy who has gotten better every game, a guy that Chiefs fans didn’t want to lose, and he’s a guy who I think can become the teams true #1 CB.
32. CB Emmanuel Moseley(2022) – EMan, as he is called by his teammates, will be one of the teams’ starting cornerbacks, whether opposite Ward, or inside as the teams new slot cornerback, but does he return in 2023? I hope so, but with another good season, he may price himself out of the 49ers range, like Laken Tomlinson, & D.J. Jones did.
33. CB Ambry Thomas(2024) – Thomas had a rocky start in 2021, getting beat by Bengals Ja’Marr Chase, but he really redeemed himself, especially week 18, with that interception, that sealed the game for the 49ers, and got them into the playoffs.
34. CB Deommodore Lenoir(2024) – DMo is a guy I really like, I think he can eventually be the teams nickleback/slot cornerback, he has a lot of upside, and potential.
35. FS Jimmie Ward(2022) – Ward has really come into his own, so versatile, he can play not just free safety, but also cornerback, in the slot, and he’s the teams’ best cover man.
36. FS Tarvarius Moore(2022) – Moore missed all of 2021, as he tore his Achilles, while being on the reserve/PUP list for the year, and his deal tolled to 2022, meaning he’s under contract for 2022 for just $965,000, & he showed a lot of promise since coming in, so I expect him to have reps at FS & SS.
37. SS Talanoa Hufanga(2024) – Huf really is a good player, a hard hitter, not the best speed, but he has a nose for the ball, he’s a guy who could be the teams’ new starting strong safety.
38. SS George Odum(2024) – Odum signed a 3-year deal, worth up to $10.95 million, and he is worth it, he’s a special teams ace, as a gunner, he has very good speed, as well as being a great tackler, on special teams, but also on defense, as he has zero missed tackles while in the box, so he could surprise, and start week 1 at SS.
39. PK Robbie Gould(2022) – Gould’s $4 million salary is fully guaranteed, so that alone makes him a lock, but he was very clutch in 2021, yes he missed 3 games due to a hamstring injury that occurred right before the 49ers game at home vs the Seahawks, but he came on, especially in the playoffs, showing he still has it, very clutch.
40. P Mitch Wishnowsky(2022) – Unless the team signed or drafts another punter, Wish is going to be the teams’ punter in 2022.
41. LS Taybor Pepper(2022) – Like with Wishnowsky, unless the team adds a long snapper, Pepper should be on the week 1 roster.

Below are the players who I describe as being 50/50, as they’re not locks, but not longshots, so they could be placeholders for the time being.

1. RB JaMycal Hasty(2022) – Hasty is a very good player, so unless the 49ers bring back Jeff Wilson Jr., or drafts/signs more than 1 back, Hasty should make the week 1 roster.
2. C Jake Brendel(2022) – Brendel really impressed in the preseason last year, so I think he has a legit shot at making the team, as he can play center, as well as both guard spots.
3. RT Justin Skule(2022) – Skule missed all of 2021 due to a torn ACL, but he seems to be back, as he’s been seen benching over 500 lbs, but he will have a uphill battle to make the roster, with other players heathier, & more versatile than Skule it, who can play both tackle spots, and helped at left guard, but wasn’t that great.
4. DT Maurice Hurst Jr.(2022) – Hurst was re-signed to a 1-year deal, worth $1,047,500, with $102,500 guaranteed in a form of a signing bonus, so he is definitely in the mix, and has the upper hand at being a backup on the interior defensive line.
5. SLB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles(2022) – The 49ers re-signed DFF to a 1-year deal, worth just $895,000, so he’s affordable, and unless the team adds another free agent linebacker, or drafts 1 or more, he should end up as the teams’ 5th linebacker.

The following players are longshots, most of these guys were likely reserve/future signings, and may end up being cut when the team signs their undrafted free agent class after the 2022 draft.

1. FB Josh Hokit(2022) – Hokit has a lot of potential, so I think he’ll make the teams practice squad, but the 53-man roster isn’t happening, not with Juice here, unless an injury happens, or Hokit shows he can play TE too.
2. WR Connor Wedington(2022) – Wedington was on the teams practice squad at the end of the season, but he’s a longshot to make the team.
3. WR Austin Mack(2022) – Same as Wedington, Mack is a longshot.
4. WR KeeSeam Johnson(2022) – Johnson may be one of the only players on this list that could have had a shot, but the 49ers signing of Ray-Ray McCloud really makes it unlikely.
5. TE Jordan Matthews(2022) – Matthews has been cut, re-signed, cut, re-signed, etc.. so much that I’ve forgotten how many times he’s been on the 49ers roster, but he moved to TE, but I don’t see him making the team, as the 49ers need to upgrade at TE, either as the 2nd or 3rd TE spot.
6. TE Tanner Hudson(2022) – Just like with Matthews, he’s a longshot, and the team needs to upgrade this position behind Kittle, & Woerner.
7. RG Keaton Sutherland(2022) – Sutherland was signed to a reserve/future contract, but he’s a longshot.
8. RT Alfredo Gutierrez(2022) – The teams’ international pathway player in 2021, Gutierrez was brought back on a 1-year reserve/future contract, but he’s more than likely a practice squad candidate.
9. DE Alex Barrett(2022) – Barrett, while the 49ers need EDGE help, I don’t see a spot for him on the 53.
10. NT Chris Slayton(2022) – Slayton, who was on the teams practice squad to end the season, was signed to a reserve/future contract, but with the Ridgeway signing, & the likes of Hurst, & Givens on the roster, it’s highly unlikely Slayton makes it.
11. WLB Curtis Robinson(2022) – I like Robinson, he played a few games, but I don’t see him cracking the top 5 linebacker group.
12. CB Ka’dar Hollman(2022) – Also signed to a reserve/future contract, Hollman is more than likely a longshot.

Of course, I intentionally left  quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo off this list, as I don’t see the team keeping him, the team, could really use that $25.55 million in savings, and I do think he’ll be traded, when though, is the ultimate question.

So, as you can see I have 41 locks, 5 50/50, and 12 longshots, so the 49ers really don’t have many roster spots open, and with 9 draft picks, I expect them to sign maybe 1 or 2 more veteran free agents, hopefully they bring back some of the following, running back Jeff Wilson Jr., defensive ends Arden Key, & Jordan Willis, cornerbacks Jason Verrett, K’Waun Williams, & Dontae Johnson, & strong safety Jaquiski Tartt.

I also expect the 49ers to move all around the draft board, both up, and down, as I said, they have 9 picks, a 2nd-rounder(#61-overall), 2 3rd-rounders(#93-overall & #105-overall), a 4th-rounder(#134), a 5th-rounder(#172-overall), 3 6th-rounders(#187-overall, #220-overall, & #221-overall), and a 7th-rounder(#262-overall), so the 49ers should end up trading up, and down, maybe gaining some future picks, or to get someone that they didn’t think would fall so far.

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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