Now that the San Francisco 49ers have finished the preseason, they will begin the process of roster cutdowns to get the roster to 53 players. What is a projection of what the initial 53-man roster will look like?
Mac Jones should be healthy enough to stick on the roster. More than that, neither Carter Bradley nor Tanner Mordecai proved that they belong as the third.
The addition of Brian Robinson seals this group. Jeff Wilson would need a surprising IR designation by Jordan James to make it.
Brandon Aiyuk will start the season on PUP, Demarcus Robinson will be suspended, and all indications are that Jacob Cowing will head to IR. With Jordan Watkins likely out for Week 1, they may need to add one more player here. Still, Junior Bergen and Terique Owens may not have shown enough.
Jake Tonges may make it, but he looks more like a Kyle Juszczyk replacement who can stay on the practice squad until an injury occurs.
Offensive Line (9): Colton McKivitz, Dominick Puni, Jake Brendel, Ben Bartch, Trent Williams, Spencer Burford, Nick Zakelj, Connor Colby, Drew Moss
The injury status of Ben Bartch and Dominick Puni makes it smarter for the team to keep Drew Moss over Austen Pleasants as the ninth lineman.
Sebastian Valdez made a good case, but the room is just a little too deep. Kevin Givens will head to the IR with a designation to return.
Until we see otherwise, it is fair to think that Yetur Gross-Matos will start the season on the PUP. If that is the cas,e it is clear who makes it. Robert Beal did not do enough this summer to earn a spot.
Robinson started behind Jalen Graham and Chazz Surratt. However, he made plays on special teams and had a pick-six, which could ensure his roster spot.
The debate has been Flowers or Luter, but both have played well enough to earn a roster spot. So has Chase Lucase.
Siran Neal steals a spot due to special teams value that will get him a helmet on gamedays. Malik Mustapha will remain on the PUP.
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