49ers veteran named best player who could be cut before 2026 season

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may seem like the obvious answer when discussing the team's best player who could still be cut before the 2026 NFL season. After all, the organization has already indicated that Aiyuk has likely played his final snap in the Bay Area.

However, Bleacher Report analyst Moe Moton took a different approach.

Instead, Moton identified veteran wide receiver Demarcus Robinson as the 49ers' best player who could still be released before the season begins. With increasing competition in the receiver room, Robinson faces a legitimate battle to make the final roster after recording just 22 receptions for 276 yards and one touchdown last season. That production fell short of expectations following his two-year contract signed last offseason.

The 49ers have also significantly reshaped their wide receiver group this offseason, moving on from Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Skyy Moore.

"This offseason, the San Francisco 49ers signed six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans, inside-outside wideout Christian Kirk, and selected De'Zhaun Stribling in the second round of the draft," Moton wrote.

"Though Kirk isn't a lock to make the roster with his production on the decline, he can replace Jauan Jennings in the slot when Christian McCaffrey or George Kittle aren't lined up there."

If Kirk secures a roster spot, he would join Evans, Stribling, and Ricky Pearsall as near-locks to make the team. Assuming the 49ers keep six wide receivers, only two spots would remain available. The team has also invested recent draft picks in Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins, meaning Robinson may need to outperform one of the younger receivers to survive final roster cuts.

Moton doesn't envision the chances of that happening to be good.

"As primarily an outside wideout, Demarcus Robinson has little chance to make the roster with Evans and Stribling joining the receiver room," Moton concluded.