Another breakdown of the 49ers current roster, plus remaining team needs

Today I want to go over the 49ers current roster, showing who I believe are locks, as of now, to make the 53-man roster, or one of the injured lists, and a look at the teams remaining needs.

Let’s begin with the players I view as locks for the 2023 roster, either on the 53-man roster, or an injury list.

1. QB 13 Brock Purdy(2025) – This is an obvious one, as Purdy played so good for being the 262nd-overall pick, Mr. Irrelevant, in the 2022 draft, but the question is whether he’ll be ready for the beginning of the season, due to the UCL tear, but he is a lock to be on this years team, either 53, short term IR or PUP.
2. QB 5 Trey Lance(2024)- Despite what many people want to say, Lance still has the upside to be a very good QB, and no, he won’t be traded, mainly due to the team losing cap room if they do so, but the question will be, if Brock Purdy isn’t ready, then is Trey the starter, my answer is Yes, if Purdy can’t go, then the team needs to start Lance, and let him develop.
3. QB 14 Sam Darnold(2023)- Darnold got a 1-year deal, worth $4.5 million from the 49ers, with $3.5 million guaranteed, along with $7 million in potential incentives, so this is a lock for me to make the 2023 roster, especially with the uncertainty of whether or not Brock will be ready week 1.
4. RB 23 Christian McCaffrey(2025)- CMC was one of the best trades that the 49ers have made, maybe ever, but certainly under John Lynch as GM, he gave the 49ers new life, he gave them another DAWG, a guy who loves football, and just balled out, I’m excited to see what McCaffrey can do in year 2 with a full offseason under his belt, cause if 2022 was just a taste of what we’re going to see, then boy are we in for a show this coming season.
5. RB 25 Elijah Mitchell(2024)- Despite the injuries that Mitchell has had over the past 2 seasons, he’s still the best back on the roster behind Christian McCaffrey, so I still expect him to be the teams’ #2 back.
6. RB 24 Jordan Mason(2024)- Mason really took the 49ers fanbase by surprise when he made the team, and the 49ers cut Trey Sermon, who was drafted in the 3rd-round of the 2021 draft, and he even supplanted 2022 3rd-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price, and flashed with his deceptive speed, & power combo, so I view Mason as the teams’ 3rd back, at worst.
7. FB 44 Kyle Juszczyk(2025)- Juice is the leagues best fullback, he does more than any other fullback does, with the ability to not just block, he can run with the ball, catch the ball, lineup all over the field, whether at FB, TE, or in the Slot, Juice is one of a kind, and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
8. WR 19 Deebo Samuel(2025)- Let’s get this out of the way first, the 49ers aren’t trading Deebo, they can’t, 1. because of the cap hit they’d take, as they’d lose salary cap room, and 2. why take away a dynamic playmaker from whoever is the QB, while having to somehow fill that hole, so Deebo is here to stay, don’t believe the nonsense happening online or in the media, whether national or local, depending on where you’re from, Deebo is so dynamic, and just so unique, he’s a bigger WR, but runs like a back, he isn’t afraid of contact, and loves playing RB, he’s the perfect compliment to CMC.
9. WR 11 Brandon Aiyuk(2023)- Aiyuk, another fantasy for some fans of other teams, who think the 49ers will trade him, it’s not happening, the 49ers will pick up his 5th-year option, and he’ll be a 49er long term, he just had his first 1000 yard receiving season, and really is the teams’ best pure WR, he runs great routes, and is always open, it’s that the QB needs to see him, and get him the ball, because he’s a baller, and will ball out this season in mu opinion.
10. WR 15 Jauan Jennings(2023)- Jennings is an ERFA, which means he’s guaranteed back, as he can’t negotiate with any other team, so JJ will be back as the teams’ 3rd WR, and that’s great, because while he doesn’t have the speed a Deebo or BA have, he runs great routes, and is a 3rd down machine, he catches nearly everything thrown his way, he’s the perfect 3rd WR, I just hope the 49ers find a way to keep him, along with Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk long term.
11. WR/KR/PR 3 Ray-Ray McCloud III(2023)- The 49ers signed McCloud to a cheap 2-year deal, and he didn’t disappoint, as he had a sweet 71-yard rushing touchdown on an end around when Deebo Samuel was hurt, and he proved that he can be a reliable 4th WR, and a very good KR, & PR.
12. WR 6 Danny Gray(2025)- Gray was a 3rd-round pick, and he didn’t get enough time on offense, but he really showcased himself as a Gunner, as he is a great special teams player, a guy you keep, so Gray is a lock for 2023.
13. TE 85 George Kittle(2025)- The 49ers have, in my opinion, the best all around tight end in the NFL, in Kittle, and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon, he’s coming off a very good year, despite missing a handful of games, and quite frankly the 49ers don’t have much at TE, and he’s the only lock in my eyes.
14. C 64 Jake Brendel(2026)- The 49ers brought back their center, and I couldn’t be happier, as Brendel played well in 2022, and he received a 4-year deal, worth a max of $20 million, with $8 million guaranteed, so I think it’s foregone conclusion that Brendel will be the opening day starter at center.
15. C — Jon Feliciano(2023)- Despite not knowing Feliciano’s contract terms, I have him as a lock, he started 15 games last year for the Giants, he’s going to be the 49ers new Daniel Brunskill, who went to the Titans, and he should be the first player off the bench, if needed of course, as he has experience at both guard spot, center, and right tackle.
16. LG 65 Aaron Banks(2024)- A lot of fans were upset with the Aaron Banks pick in 2021, and that the 49ers let Laken Tomlinson left via free agency, but Banks proved the 49ers right, and the doubters wrong, in the fact that he played really good, he may have had some ups, and downs, but more ups, he looks like he’s solidified the left guard spot for the future.
17. LG 63 Nick Zakelj(2025)- I don’t know off hand is Zakelj got that many snaps, if any, on offense, but he’s a guy the 49ers really like, and I can see it, he’s versatile, he can play guard, tackle, and now center, he could be the teams backup center/guard for the 49ers this season.
18. RG 74 Spencer Burford(2025)- Burford won the starting right guard spot, and he didn’t disappoint, he looked good, and poised for being a rookie, but he did have his down moments, so he does have stuff to work on.
19. LT 71 Trent Williams(2026)- The Trent Williams trade was also one of the best trades in 49ers history, and for the current regime, Trent is the best left tackle in the NFL, and he’s like fine whine, he gets better with age, and I don’t foresee his play, or him stopping any time soon.
20. RT 68 Colton McKivitz(2024)- McKivitz received a 2-year deal this offseason, and should be the teams starting Right Tackle at best, or the swing Tackle at worst.
21. DE 97 Nick Bosa(2023)- Bosa, the reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is set to get a huge payday, likely being paid as the highest paid non-QB, and he deserves it, with 18.5 sacks in 2022, he’s a monster, he’s only going to get better as time goes bye, and Bosa will be a 49er long term.
22. DE 95 Drake Jackson(2025)- Jackson had an up & down season, he played well early, but later in the season he wasn’t active much, same for the playoffs, this is likely due to the transition from college to the NFL, but I have high hopes for Jackson as the EDGE opposite Nick Bosa.
23. DE 94 Clelin Ferrell(2023)- According to NFL Network the 49ers gave Ferrell a 1-year, $2.5 million deal, with $1.82 million guaranteed, so he’s a lock to make this roster right now, and I think Kris Kocurek, the defensive line coach, is salivating at the chance to get his hands on Ferrell, and mold him into the pass rusher he was expected to be coming out of Clemson.
24. DT 91 Arik Armstead(2024)- Armstead didn’t have a sack in 2022, but that doesn’t matter to me, cause he was a force when he was in there, yes he had injury problems, but he’s a guy who isn’t injury prone, he just had a bad year, injury wise, but a good year when he came back, with the force he brings, he penetrates the offensive line, and gets into the backfield, and is just a terror for QBs and backs.
25. DT 99 Javon Kinlaw(2023)- Kinlaw just hasn’t been playing good enough, or enough due to injuries, but because his deal is fully guaranteed, and baring a trade, Kinlaw will be on the 53-man roster to begin 2023,
26. DT 90 Kevin Givens(2023)- Givens was given a 1-year, $2.1 million deal, with $2 million guaranteed, and he really stepped up when Arik Armstead, and Javon Kinlaw were out, so I fully expect him to be on the 2023 roster.
27. NT 98 Javon Hargrave(2026)- The big splash move by the 49ers, Hargrave received a 4-year, $84 million deal, with $40 million fully guaranteed, and he’s a beast, wreaking havoc of opposing offensive lines, and we all saw what he did to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game, so this is a huge get for the 49ers, and will only make the defensive line, and defense in general that more lethal.
28. NT 93 Kalia Davis(2025)- Davis didn’t play in 2022 due to an injury he suffered in college, but if he’s a guy who should be in the rotation this coming season at nose tackle, as John Lynch compared him to another D.J. Jones like player.
29. MLB 54 Fred Warner(2026)- Warner is one of the best, if not the best, off-ball linebackers in the NFL, and I don’t expect him to slow down anytime soon, he’s a beast, and a perennial Pro Bowl, and All-Pro every year,
30. MLB 48 Oren Burks(2023)- Burks was signed to a cheap 2-year deal last offseason to help boost the special teams unit, and he did so, but he also proved to be an effective linebacker whenever an injury happened, and he could be in the mix to start at strongside linebacker, if Al-Shaair does walk in free agency.
31. WLB 57 Dre Greenlaw(2024)- Greenlaw signed a new 2-year extension last year, and he is showing that the 49ers got a bargain, at only $8.2 million a year, Greenlaw should have been a Pro Bowler, and All-Pro in not just my eyes, or 49ers fans eyes, but also many people around the league, as he proved to be a baller, he’s a tackling machine, and has very good speed.
32. SLB 45 Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles(2023)- DFF is a solid defensive player, and an even better special teamer, he signed a 1-year deal, with $1.25 million in fully guaranteed money, so he’s locked into a roster spot right now.
33. CB 7 Charvarius Ward(2024)- Ward was the 49ers big signing in 2022, and he didn’t disappoint, as he is clearly the teams #1 CB, and he proved to be a shutdown corner.
34. CB 38 Deommodore Lenoir(2024)- Lenoir had his best season in 2022 when he was put in at cornerback for the injured Emmanuel Moseley, and he got better, & better each week, so expect him to be the teams starter opposite Mooney Ward.
35. CB 26 Samuel Womack III(2025)- Womack started the season as the Slot Corner, but Lenoir took over after a few weeks, and then Jimmie Ward, but I expect Womack to be a backup at worst in 2023.
36. CB — Isaiah Oliver(2024)- Oliver was given a 2-year deal by the 49ers to likely be the slot cornerback, but will have to compete with Womack to get that job, but he’s a lock, as he’s a DAWG, and a very very good run defender.
37. FS 31 Tashaun Gipson Sr.(2023)- Gipson signed a 1-year deal, worth $2.9 million, bringing back the teams starting free safety, who had 5 INTs, and will play another year with Hufanga, a great re-signing, and just a great player for this defense.
38. SS 29 Talanoa Hufanga(2024)- Hufanga was named a Pro Bowler, he had a great season, while he did have some blown coverage, he stilled play at a All-Pro level, and it looks like the 49ers found their next great safety.
39. SS 30 George Odum(2024)- The 49ers signed Odum to a 3-year deal last year, and he didn’t disappoint, as he helped the special teams unit get better, and he was a 2nd-team All-Pro for his special teams work.
40. P 18 Mitch Wishnowsky(2026)- The 49ers re-signed Wishnowsky last season to as 4-year extension, and he had his best year in my opinion, in 2022, proving the doubters wrong about him, as he has a great leg.
41. LS 46 Taybor Pepper(2025)- Pepper was re-signed to a 3-year deal, and it was announced by Taybor himself in a hilarious video he posted on social media, and he earned that new deal, he’s one of the best long snappers in the NFL, and he’ll be a 49er this year, and beyond.

Now when it comes to the rest of the players on the roster right now, I view the following as the guys who have the best shot to make the 2023 team.

1. RB 32 Tyrion Davis-Price(2025)- TDP didn’t play much, as he was outplayed by Jordan Mason, but he will have to battle to make the 53-man roster, as we’ve seen, the 49ers aren’t afraid to cut a 3rd-round RB after just 1 year.
2. TE 82 Ross Dwelley(2023)- Dwelley signed a new 1-year deal, and will get every opportunity to be the teams’ #2 TE.
3. TE 89 Charlie Woerner(2023)- Woerner needs to step up, as he didn’t have the best season, nor the worst season, he was really just average, so he needs to work on some things in order to be on the 2023 roster.
4. RG 62 Jason Poe(2023)- Poe, a UDFA out of Mercer, was very good in preseason, and spent the season on the practice squad, and now he has a shot to make the 53-man roster, maybe even as a starter at center.
5. DT 96 T.Y. McGill Jr.(2023)- McGill got a 1-year deal worth the league minimum, but he got $400,000 of his salary fully guaranteed, he’s a guy that can play DT & NT, so he should make this team in my eyes.
6. SLB 40 Marcelino McCrary-Ball(2023)- McCrary-Ball, another UDFA in 2022 out of Indiana, was very good in preseason, and was on the practice squad the entire season, but he should be in the mix to replace Azeez Al-Shaair.
7. CB 43 Qwuantrezz Knight(2023)- The 49ers signed Knight as a UDFA out of UCLA, and he spent the 2022 season on the practice squad, and he should have an opportunity to make the 2023 roster, either as a CB or maybe a safety.
8. CB 20 Ambry Thomas(2024)- Thomas didn’t get much playing time in 2022, as his 2021 play didn’t show up in preseason, or the regular season, relegating Thomas to a special teamer, so his spot in question, so he needs to really work his butt of to make the team.
9. FS 41 Tayler Hawkins(2023)- Hawkins, a UDFA out of San Diego State, has a shot at making this years team after spending 2022 on the practice squad.
10. FS — Myles Hartsfield(2023)- The versatile Hartsfield was signed to a 1-year deal, terms unknown, so that’s why he’s on this list, he’s versatile, as he can play FS & CB.

Now, let’s look at the teams remaining offseason needs.

Tight End: The team needs to add a better #2 TE to this team, someone who can do the same things George Kittle does, which is a good receiver, & blocker, right now they have just Kittle, Dwelley, & Woerner under contract, so look for them to add 1 more in the draft or free agency.

Right Tackle: The 49ers brought back Colton McKivitz, but he’s not guaranteed the starting right tackle spot, so expect the team to either sign a cheap veteran to compete, or at least draft someone that they can develop.

EDGE: The 49ers brought in Clelin Ferrell, but the team lost Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu, & Jordan Willis, while Kerry Hyder Jr. is still a free agent, so the team needs to add some much needed EDGE rush depth, and even someone to either start over Drake Jackson, or push Jackson.

Free Safety: The 49ers brought back Gipson, but they need to find a free safety of the future, and the draft makes the most sense, plus they have a former UDFA that I like a lot in Tayler Hawkins, but still look for them to add a young safety.

Place Kicker: If Robbie Gould isn’t re-signed, and if they don’t sign another veteran, look for them to add a young rookie place kicker, either in the draft on day 3, or as an UDFA.

With that said, I thank you for reading, and 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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