Updated look at the 49ers current roster, with my locks, 50/50s, & longshots to make the 53-man roster

With the 49ers set to host the Denver Broncos this Saturday, I thought it was time to take a look at a breakdown of the current roster, with locks, 50/50s, and longshots.

Locks:

1. QB 13 Brock Purdy(2025)- It’s clear that Purdy is QB1, everything that Kyle Shanahan has said makes it clear that Brock, unless something dramatic or unfortunate happens, Brock will be the starter week 1 in Pittsburgh.
2. QB 5 Trey Lance(2024)- Despite a not so great performance in Las Vegas, Lance isn’t going anywhere in my eyes, as the team only saves $940,000 in cap room, and won’t get the value they believe he has.
3. QB 14 Sam Darnold(2023)- Darnold wasn’t that great in the preseason opener, but the 49ers guaranteed him a lot of money on a 1-year deal, so Darnold is likely to be at worst the 3^rd QB each week.
4. RB 23 Christian McCaffrey(2025)- McCaffrey is a stud, he proved it last year, and he will be the teams’ #1 RB come week 1.
5. RB 25 Elijah Mitchell(2024)- While Mitchell has injury concerns, I don’t see anyway that the team moves on from him, as the team has a history of backs being injured during Shanahan’s tenure.
6. RB 32 Tyrion Davis-Price(2025)- TDP has had a great camp, he looked good in the preseason opener, and to me he’s a lock to be among the 49ers 4 running backs.
7. RB 24 Jordan Mason(2024)- Mason is another lock at RB for me, he showed a lot of potential in 2022, and I expect him to be among the 4 backs kept.
8. FB 44 Kyle Juszczyk(2025)- Juice is the best fullback in the league, and he’s isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
9. WR 19 Deebo Samuel(2025)- Deebo had a down year in 2022, and he admitted to being out of shape, not happy with his 2022 season, thus he’s prepared to be a force for the 49ers, as I expect a 2021 like season from Deebo.
10. WR 11 Brandon Aiyuk(2024)- Aiyuk is the teams’ best pure wide receiver, he runs the best routes, and he’s highly reliable, and I expect a big year from Aiyuk, leading to a new deal in 2024.
11. WR 15 Jauan Jennings(2023)- The 49ers struck gold with Jennings back in 2020 when they took him in the 7^th-round, and he’s proven to be a reliable receiver, and a 3^rd down conversion machine, so Jennings, despite only counting $940,000, is a lock, no way the team trades or waives him.
12. WR/KR/PR 3 Ray-Ray McCloud III(2023)- I love McCloud, but unfortunately he suffered a broken wrist, that could sideline him for at least the first 4 games, so expect him to make the 53, and then be placed on IR to he can be eligible to return this season, but news today from Shanahan says that McCloud might be back for week 1, so we’ll see.
13. TE 85 George Kittle(2025)- Kittle had a breakout year, touchdown wise, with 11 receiving TDs in 2022, and was among the top 5 in receiving yards for a TE, and I don’t see him going anywhere anytime soon.
14. TE 81 Cameron Latu(2026)- Despite a not so great game this past Sunday, Latu has the talent, and upside to be a solid #2 TE option, and I expect him to be among the 53 players on the opening day roster, as they took him in the 3^rd-round of this years draft, and teams normally don’t cut 3^rd-round picks in the year they were drafted.
15. C 64 Jake Brendel(2026)- Brendel got a nice payday in the offseason, signing a new 4-year deal, so Brendel will be the opening day starter at center.
16. C 55 Jon Feliciano(2023)- The 49ers gave Feliciano over $2 million fully guaranteed, and the fact that he can play all 3 interior offensive line positions, he’s a lock to make the 2023 roster.
17. LG 65 Aaron Banks(2024)- Banks was among the starters who didn’t play in the first preseason game, so that says a lot, plus Banks had a very good 2022, proving the 49ers right to move on from Laken Tomlinson.
18. RG 74 Spencer Burford(2025)- Burford was another of the starters to not suit up for week 1 of the preseason, and after platooning with former 49er Daniel Brunskill, it looks like Burford is the clear starter at RG, but we could see something similar for 2023 if Burford struggles, by platooning with Jon Feliciano.
19. LT 71 Trent Williams(2026)- Trent is, in my eyes, the best left tackle in the NFL, and I don’t see him slowing down anytime soon, in fact the team picked up his 2024-2026 option years, showing that Williams won’t be retiring anytime soon.
20. RT 68 Colton McKivitz(2024)- McKivitz is the teams’ starter at right tackle, as he was also inactive this past Sunday, and everything coming out of camp is that he’s been pretty good, so I’m excited to see if McKivitz can give the team anywhere near what Mike McGlinchey gave the 49ers for 5 years.
21. DE 97 Nick Bosa(2023)- Bosa has yet to report to the 49ers training camp, as the two sides work on a new deal for Bosa, as he’s set to become to the highest paid defensive player.
22. DE 95 Drake Jackson(2025)- Jackson didn’t have the best season in 2022, but he’s looked completely different this offseason, as he’s added muscle in the offseason, and I expect him to have a breakout year.
23. DE 94 Clelin Ferrell(2023)- While Ferrell was clearly a bust in Las Vegas, it looks like he’s been having a good camp, and had the teams lone sack this past Sunday, so hopefully he can bring some much needed depth at the EDGE position, especially after the 49ers lost Charles Omenihu, Samson Ebukam, and Jordan Willis this offseason.
24. DT 91 Arik Armstead(2024)- Despite not having a sack in 2022, Armstead was a force in the playoffs, one of the teams’ best defensive players, and I don’t see him going anywhere anytime soon.
25. DT 99 Javon Kinlaw(2023)- Kinlaw is in much better shape, but this is likely his last year in San Francisco, as the team has upgraded with Javon Hargrave, but Kinlaw is a lock, as the team would save nothing by cutting him.
26. DT 90 Kevin Givens(2023)- Givens was given a 1-year, fully guaranteed $2 million deal, and despite not looking great Sunday, he’s a lock to make the team, as he has shown in the past that he’s a very reliable interior defensive line player.
27. NT 98 Javon Hargrave(2026)- The 49ers made a splash this offseason when they signed former Eagles interior defensive lineman to a huge 4-year. $84 million deal, and the team should expect big things from Hargrave, as I do too.
28. WLB 57 Dre Greenlaw(2024)- The 49ers gave Dre a 2-year extension, and he’s set to cash in next year in my opinion, as the team should look to extend him yet again, as Greenlaw is among the top 10 off-ball linebackers.
29. MLB 54 Fred Warner(2026)- Warner is the leagues best off-ball linebacker, and it’s not even close in my eyes, as he’s the teams heart & soul of the defense, so expect big things from Fred for the foreseeable future.
30. MLB 48 Oren Burks(2023)- Burks, who came over in 2022 from the Packers, proved to be a great special teams player, and while he’s been dealing with an unknown injury, he’s a lock, and front-runner to start at the SAM Linebacker spot.
31. CB 7 Charvarius Ward(2024)- The 49ers also brought Ward over in 2022, from the Chiefs, and he proved to be a top 10 cornerback, and hopefully the team can reach a long term agreement in 2024, ala Dre Greenlaw.
32. CB 2 Deommodore Lenoir(2024)- The 49ers may have struck gold with their former 5^th-rounder Lenoir, who came in after former 49ers CB Emmanuel Moseley tore his ACL last season, and he showed that he can be a very nice compliment to Mooney Ward.
33. CB 26 Isaiah Oliver(2024)- Despite a bad first game, Oliver is a lock to be with the 49ers, the team would only save $240,000 if they were to cut him, and you have to think he’ll bounce back, and win the NCB spot.
34. CB 0 Samuel Womack III(2025)- Womack is a lock in my eyes, as he’s got the versatility to play both outside and inside, and is a solid player with tremendous upside.
35. FS 31 Tashaun Gipson Sr.(2023)- Gipson came in last year, and he took the free safety job from an injured Jimmie Ward, now with the Texans, and led the team with 5 INTs, he signed a 1-year deal, with a very good amount of fully guaranteed money.
36. FS 27 Ji’Ayir Brown(2026)- Brown is seen as the heir apparent to Gipson, and I can see Brown getting a good amount of playing time if/when the 49ers go with a 3 safety look.
37. SS 29 Talanoa Hufanga(2024)- Hufanga really broke out in 2022, he is a force, he’s a stud in the making, and look for the team to extend him next year when he’s eligible for an extension.
38. SS 30 George Odum(2024)- Odum was a 2^nd Team All-Pro last year for his work on special teams, so I don’t see anyway the 49ers let go of Odum.
39. PK 4 Jake Moody(2026)- Moody’s preseason debut was not great, as he missed both of his field goal attempts, but the team isn’t cutting him, and I expect him to make a bounce back.
40. P 18 Mitch Wishnowsky(2026)- Wishnowsky was one of the best Punters in the NFL in 2022, and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
41. LS 46 Taybor Pepper(2025)- Pepper signed a new 3-year deal this offseason, and Pepper is one of the best, if not the best long snappers in the NFL.

Next up are my 50/50s.

1. WR 10 Ronnie Bell(2026)- Bell had a good first showing on Sunday, but with the news that Ray-Ray McCloud III may be ready week 1, he may be facing an uphill battle to make the roster, especially if the team doesn’t plan on keeping 6 wide receivers.
2. WR 6 Danny Gray(2025)- Gray was good on special teams in 2022 as a Gunner, but is that enough for him to make the 53? I don’t know, but he seems to have a renewed love of football, and listening to coaches.
3. WR 17 Chris Conley(2023)- Conley had a nice game Sunday, but he likely is a guy who would be a practice squad candidate, especially if the team fears they’ll lose a Ronnie Bell or Danny Gray to waivers, plus he has $400,000 guaranteed.
4. WR 83 Willie Snead IV(2023)- Another WR like Conley, Snead is facing an uphill battle, but with $250,000 guaranteed, he’s likely a practice squad candidate.
5. TE 82 Ross Dwelley(2023)- The 49ers re-signed Dwelley to a 1-year deal, with $700,000 fully guaranteed, so if the team keeps 4 TEs, he definitely has the inside track for one of those 4 spots.
6. TE 89 Charlie Woerner(2023)- Not the greatest player, Woerner is also battling for a potential spot on the 53, as Kyle does like to keep 4 TEs, so he’s battling Dwelley, & Brayden Willis.
7. TE 9 Brayden Willis(2026)- Willis is an intriguing player, he didn’t get a lot of playing time Sunday, but he has the upside to be a contributor for the 49ers, both in 2023, & long term.
8. LG 63 Nick Zakelj(2025)- The 49ers picked Zakelj in the 6^th-round last year, and envision him as the potential long term center, but he first needs to win a roster spot on the 53.
9. RG 51 Jason Poe(2023)- Despite the fact that Poe has been getting thrown around, he still has a shot at making the 53 as a backup Interior Offensive Lineman.
10. LT 75 Matt Pryor(2023)- Pryor signed a 1-year deal in the offseason, but is nowhere near guaranteed a spot, more likely if he losses the Swing Tackle battle, he’ll be a practice squad candidate.
11. LT 78 Leroy Watson IV(2023)- Perhaps a camp surprise, Watson is a guy I can envision making the team as the Swing Tackle, but he’ll need to beat out Matt Pryor, and Jaylon Moore.
12. RT 76 Jaylon Moore(2024)- Moore is competing for the Swing Tackle spot with the likes of Matt Pryor, & Leroy Watson IV.
13. DE 56 Austin Bryant(2023)- Bryant signed a 1-year deal, with $550,000 fully guaranteed, so he has an upper hand on one of the backup EDGE spots, but like with Matt Pryor, he’s not guaranteed a spot.
14. DE 92 Kerry Hyder Jr.(2023)- Hyder re-signed with the 49ers on a 1-year veteran minimum deal, and should have a good shot at making the team, as he can play both DE & DT.
15. DE 55 Robert Beal Jr.(2026)- Beal has been out for most of training camp with a minor injury, but reports state that he should be back this week, so we’ll see if the 5^th-rounder can carve a spot out on the 53.
16. DE 58 Alex Barrett(2023)- Barrett is a nice player, he’s had a good camp, and I expect him to fight for a spot on the 53 after spending multiple years on the 49ers’ practice squad.
17. DT 96 T.Y. McGill Jr.(2023)- McGill signed a 1-year deal, with $400,000 fully guaranteed, and he has an upper hand on a backup IDL spot, likely battling with Kalia Davis, a 2022 6^th-round pick who the 49ers like a lot.
18. NT 93 Kalia Davis(2025)- Davis tore his ACL in October of 2021, thus missing the entire 2022 season, & he’s also been battling a minor injury, so we’ll see if he can win a spot on the 53.
19. WLB 59 Curtis Robinson(2023)- Robinson is a good player, and the 49ers seem to like him, but he has an uphill battle to make the 53, but he has a chance.
20. SLB 435 Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles(2023)- DFF is battling for a spot on the 53, he likely has an upper hand due to the $1.25 million guaranteed that he got this offseason.
21. SLB 40 Marcelino McCrary-Ball(2023)- The 49ers re-signed McCrary-Ball, and he’s looked good thus far from reports, and might be in the mix at the SAM Linebacker spot.
22. SLB 53 Dee Winters(2026)- The 49ers picked Winters in the 6^th-round, and he played well in Sunday’s game, and has a shot at making the final 53, depending on how many LBs they keep.
23. SLB 50 Jalen Graham(2026)- Graham is another late round pick, 7^th-round to be exact, and he has a legit shot at making the team, but it depends on how many LBs the team keeps.
24. CB 20 Ambry Thomas(2024)- Thomas, a former 3^rd-round pick, had a good rookie year, bad second season, but looks like a new player, and is ready to secure a roster spot, as the 49ers need all the depth they can get at cornerback, as I can see them keeping 6 cornerbacks.
25. CB 28 Darrell Luter Jr.(2026)- Luter has spent all of camp on the PUP list, so unless he’s activated, he likely begins 2023 on the PUP list.
26. CB 22 D’Shawn Jamison(2025)- Jamison impressed me on Sunday on kick returns, despite the fact that they didn’t really count, due to holding, or block in the back penalties, but Jamison has a legit shot at being on the 53 opening day.
27. FS 38 Myles Hartsfield(2023)- Hartsfield came over from the Panthers, the same place new DC Steve Wilks coached last year, so we’ll see if he can improve his play from Sunday, and if he can make the final 53.

Finally, the players that I view as longshots.

1. QB 4 Brandon Allen(2023)- Despite Allen getting $200,000 guaranteed, he’s likely the practice squad QB.
2. RB 36 Khalan Laborn(2025)- The UDFA RB is likely a practice squad candidate.
3. RB 22 Jeremy McNichols(2023)- McNichols was signed after the team needed another back for the game against the Raiders, but I just can’t see him cracking the 53.
4. FB 33 Jack Colletto(2025)- Colletto likely is a practice squad candidate, someone the 49ers can develop to potentially take over for Juice in a few years.
5. WR 86 Tay Martin(2023)- Martin is an intriguing player, but I just can’t see him making the 53, too many players ahead of him.
6. WR 84 Dazz Newsome(2023)- Newsome, like Martin, is fighting a very uphill battle, as too many players ahead of him to crack the 53.
7. TE 88 Troy Fumagalli(2023)- Fumagalli has a nice game, with a catch or 2 Sunday, but he’s a longshot to make the team.
8. C 67 Keith Ismael(2023)- Ismael is also fighting an uphill battle to make the 53, more likely a practice squader.
9. C 61 Corey Luciano(2023)- Same as Ismael, Luciano is a practice squad candidate.
10. RG 66 Joey Fisher(2025)- Fisher got a nice guarantee from the 49ers as a UDFA, but he didn’t get much playing time Sunday, so he’s likely heading to the practice squad.
11. LT 60 Ilm Manning(2025)- Manning is an intriguing prospect, he played mostly at left tackle Sunday, and he could be a darkhorse to make the team if Matt Pryor, Leroy Watson IV, & Jaylon Moore don’t play well going forward.
12. RT 77 Alfredo Gutierrez(2023)- The 49ers international pathway player, Gutierrez, is likely destined for the teams’ practice squad again.
13. DE 66 Breeland Speaks(2023)- Despite leading the USFL in sacks, I just don’t see a spot for Speaks on the roster.
14. DE 77 Taco Charlton(2023)- I know he’s a popular name, but I find it hard to believe that Charlton will make the 53-man roster, more likely a practice squader.
15. DE 69 Spencer Waege(2025)- Despite getting a decent guarantee, Waege is likely a practice squader at best.
16. DT 62 Marlon Davidson(2023)- Davidson signed a 1-year deal, and is likely a practice squad candidate at best.
17. MLB 51 Kyahza Tezino(2023)- Tezino is a late add to the 49ers roster, and likely is battling for a spot on the practice squad.
18. CB 47 A.J. Parker(2023)- Parker looked good Sunday, but I just don’t see him cracking the 53, likely a practice squad candidate.
19. CB 43 Qwuantrezz Knight(2023)- Knight didn’t play well Sunday, and I find it hard for him to make the final 53.
20. CB 36 Nate Brooks(2023)- Brooks signed a 1-year deal literally the day before the Raiders game, so it’s unlikely he makes the 53.
21. FS 41 Tayler Hawkins(2023)- Hawkins is likely a practice squad candidate at best.
22. PK 10 Zane Gonzalez(2023)- The 49ers traded a conditional pick swap to get Zane, but this was before they drafted Jake Moody, so I highly doubt Zane has a real shot at making the 53, maybe the practice squad.

Thanks 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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