49ers’ Roster Bubble Rumors

As the 49ers await the return of injured pass rushers Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, there has been some speculation that the former’s brother, Joey Bosa, may be a candidate to become a late-offseason veteran free agent addition to bolster the defensive line. According to Cam Inman of The Mercury News, though the elder Bosa has championed the idea of a union of the two in San Francisco in the past, Nick seemed to dismiss the idea that it would happen now in a recent radio appearance.

Two likelier candidates to secure one of the last remaining roster spots, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, are two members of the team’s undrafted rookie class. According to Maiocco, undrafted rookie defensive tackles Bryson Eason and James Thompson have made strong cases to remain on the roster going into September. Thompson, a standout at Wisconsin before transferring to Illinois for his final year of eligibility had reportedly received $280K in guarantees when the class was announced. Maiocco clarifies that figure as $277.5K and adds that Eason, whose guarantees had not been previously reported, was not far behind at $272.5K.

“It rarely happens where two guys that you thank are going to get drafted somewhere between the fourth and seventh round, and then for both of them to fall out and to be able to get both of them,” defensive coordinator Kris Kocurek said during training camp. Both players had been viewed as likely late-Day 3 picks, with Eason receiving sixth-round billing from some. San Francisco was clearly impressed, and they’ve continued to be well into the offseason.

Despite being a part of a receiving corps plagued with injuries and other attrition, third-year wide receiver Jacob Cowing is not viewed as a roster lock in San Francisco. The former fourth-round pick out of Arizona missed his entire sophomore campaign as he tore his hamstring four times, per Inman. In the team’s second preseason game Thursday, Cowing returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown as he attempts to establish his spot on the roster. When asked if Cowing had locked up a roster spot as well as the job of punt returner, head coach Kyle Shanahan tole the media that he hadn’t yet, but that he was making the decision easier.

If Eason, Thompson, and Cowing can secure three spots, that leaves two more for the 49ers to determine. At the moment, it doesn’t appear that one of those two slots will be reserved for a second Bosa brother.