49ers Practice Squad Projection Ahead of Roster Cuts

With less than a week to go until roster cutdowns, the San Francisco 49ers will have their practice squad set in the next week as well. Based on where things stand with one preseason game to go, who is setting themselves up to make the practice squad?

San Francisco 49ers Practice Squad Candidates?

Quarterback 

Kurtis Rourke appears to have two options: making the roster or being placed on an injured list. Unless they find a better option, Martinez will be their PS candidate. 

Running back 

Sincere McCormick has been the best running back among all of their depth options. They do not appear to have another good option. 

Wide Receiver 

This likely comes down to four players for two spots. Will Pauling appears to be ahead of Wesley Grimes as the top UDFA on the roster. However, Khadarel Hodge against Trenton Irwin for the final spot might be the most underrated storyline of the third preseason game. 

Tight End

Hayden Rucci or Brayden Willis are locks if they do not make the 53-man roster. Right now it appears Willis has a slight edge. The question is whether Josiah Deguara or freshly signed Khalil Dinkins makes it as well. 

Tackle 

If one of Enrique Cruz or Austen Pleasants does not make the 53-man roster, they are locks. However, the injury status of Vederian Lowe makes both of them more likely to stick. So, this spot should go to Brandon Parker, who has run with the second team in the preseason. 

Interior Offensive Line

Whoever loses the backup center battle between Brett Toth and Drake Nugent should circle back to the practice squad. Long-standing practice squad candidate Nick Zakelj is in the mix at guard. Isaac Alarcon makes it as a 17th player due to an international exemption.

Interior Defensive Line

Whoever does not make the team between Sebastian Valdez, James Thompson, and Bryson Eason will be priority practice squad adds. 

Edge rusher

Ogbo Okoronkwo is a great PS option. He is a veteran coming off of an injury with familiarity of the coaching staff. It is him or Quinton Bell. 

Linebacker 

If Tatum Bethune does not make the roster, he is a priority addition. Otherwise, it would likely be rookie UDFA Larry Worth. 

Cornerback 

Jakob Robinson is a great PS option. As long as Darell Luter does not get calls from other teams, he should be a PS player. 

Safety 

Rookie UDFA Jalen Stroman seems like the smart choice over veteran Ashtyn Davis. 

Practice Squad Projection

1. Adrian Martinez
2. Sincere McCormick
3. Khadarel Hodge/Trenton Irwin
4. Will Pauling
5. Hayden Rucci
6. Khalil Dinkins
7. Brandon Parker
8. Brett Toth/Drake Nugent
9. Nick Zakelj
10. James Thompson
11. Bryson Eason
12. Ogbo Okoronkwo 
13. Tatum Bethune/Larry Worth 
14. Jakob Robinson 
15. Darrell Luter
16. Jalen Stroman 
17. Isaac Alarcon