49ers Roster Reset: Recently-acquired veteran is a dead man walking

The San Fransisco came into the 2023 NFL Draft without a selection in the first 98 picks, so they weren't going to be making any splash picks during the weekend. Overall, it was a pretty solid draft for the 49ers, outside the selection of Jake Moody with the 99th overall pick. That pick was obviously […]

Evan Winter NFL Managing Editor
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The San Fransisco came into the 2023 NFL Draft without a selection in the first 98 picks, so they weren't going to be making any splash picks during the weekend.

Overall, it was a pretty solid draft for the 49ers, outside the selection of Jake Moody with the 99th overall pick. That pick was obviously a luxury pick, but, it did fill a need, so one can't completely fault the 49ers. 

There's a lot to breakdown when it comes to the 49ers' post-draft roster, so let's go ahead and dive in. Note: single asterisks (*) represent 2023 draft picks and double asterisks (**) represent undrafted free agents.

Quarterback

  • Sam Darnold
  • Trey Lance
  • Brock Purdy

The skinny: Nope, Lance didn't get traded and there was really not much reason to think he would get traded. It's clear the 49ers want him on the roster, right now. Maybe, just maybe they'll trade him when they get a better idea of when Purdy can officially return to football, but for now, Lance isn't going anywhere.


Running back

  • Ronald Awatt**
  • Khalan Laborn**
  • Tyrion Davis-Price
  • Jordan Mason
  • Christian McCaffrey
  • Elijah Mitchell

The skinny: This is obviously CMC's room and the 49ers have the backup positions set with Mitchell and Mason. Awatt averaged nearly 5.0 yards per carry over the course of his college career, while Laborn averaged exactly that while also rushing for over 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2022. So, don't be surprised if one of those two players make it on the final roster.


Fullback

  • Jack Colleto**
  • Kyle Juszczyk

The skinny: This is as about as clear as you can get when it comes to figuring out the mechanics of a position group. Juszczyk is the man and there is no one else in the picture.


Wide receiver

  • Brandon Aiyuk
  • Jadakis Bonds**
  • Chris Conley
  • Danny Gray
  • Jauan Jennings
  • Tyron Johnson
  • Tay Martin
  • Ray-Ray McCloud III
  • Dazz Newsome
  • Deebo Samuel
  • Willie Snead IV

The skinny: Like Lance, Aiyuk wasn't traded, either, despite some speculation that could be on the table. Jennings signed his tender, so he is back in the fold as the team's WR3. It gets a bit murky beyond that, but Conley should be able to make the team. Gray, in my opinion, is certainly on the bubble heading into offseason workouts and training camp.


Tight end

  • Ross Dwelley
  • George Kittle
  • Cameron Latu*
  • Brayden Willis*
  • Charlie Woerner

The skinny: Like most expected, the 49ers added to their tight end room in the draft. Latu is raw, but can become a capable TE2. Willis is more of an H-back, so it'll be interesting to see what Kyle Shanahan cooks up for him.


Offensive line

  • Aaron Banks
  • Jake Brendel
  • Spencer Burford
  • Jon Feliciano
  • Joey Fisher**
  • Alfredo Gutierrez
  • Keith Ismael
  • Corey Luciano**
  • Ilm Manning**
  • Colton McKivitz
  • Jaylon Moore
  • Jason Poe
  • Matt Pryor
  • Leroy Watson
  • Trent Williams
  • Nick Zakelj

The skinny: The 49ers didn't draft a tackle, which backs up their belief that McKivitz can step in for the recently-departed Mike McGlinchey. Feliciano remains a complete wildcard in terms of the guard competition, even though the 9ers seem set there with Banks and Burford. There are questions, but it looks like Shanahan already has what he deems as the best five guys on the roster.

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Interior defensive line

  • Arik Armstead
  • Kalia Davis
  • Kevin Givens
  • Javon Hargrave
  • Kerry Hyder Jr.
  • Javon Kinlaw
  • T.Y. McGill
  • Spencer Waege**

The skinny: There's not much to say, here. The 49ers made one of the biggest moves of the offseason by signing Hargrave to a massive deal and they brought Hyder Jr. back for depth. John Lynch said the other day that Kinlaw's recovery is going well, so the 49ers will have their full arsenal available for camp.


Defensive end

  • Alex Barrett
  • Robert Beal Jr.*
  • Austin Bryant
  • Nick Bosa
  • Clelin Ferrell
  • Drake Jackson

The skinny: Can Ferrell or Jackson step up in place of Charles Omenihu, who left for Kansas City? That's the key question with this group. Beal Jr. is very small to be putting his hand in the dirt, so it'll be interesting to see how the 49ers use him.


Linebacker

  • Oren Burkes
  • Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
  • Jalen Graham**
  • Dre Greenlaw
  • Marcelino McCrary-Ball
  • Curtis Robinson
  • Fred Warner
  • Dee Winters**

The skinny: The 49ers added some serious speed in Winters, who should actually make the team as a special teams contributor. The rest of the room is already filled out with Warner, Greenlaw, and Burkes leading the way.


Cornerback

  • D'Shawn Jamison**
  • Qwuantrezz Knight
  • Deommodore Lenoir
  • Darrell Luter Jr.*
  • Isaiah Oliver
  • A.J. Parker
  • Tre Swilling
  • Ambry Thomas
  • Charvarius Ward
  • Samuel Womack III
  • Avery Young**

The skinny: Ward and Lenoir should hold down the outside again. Don't rule out Luter Jr. winning the nickel position. Or even Jamison. Both players are good in press man and can play inside. 

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Safety

  • Ji'Aiyr Brown*
  • Tashaun Gipson
  • Myles Hartsfield
  • Tayler Hawkins
  • Talanoa Hufanga
  • George Odum

The skinny: This room seems set with Gipson and Hufanga as the starters. Both players have been very productive in this defense. Unless Brown just completely blows people away, this unit is set. Brown can still carve out a role as the third safety, but he seems more like a succession plan for Gipson, who will be 33 when the season starts.


Special teams

  • Zane Gonzalez (K)
  • Jake Moody (K)*
  • Mitch Wishnowsky (P)
  • Taybor Pepper (LS)

The skinny: Sure, Gonzalez is a veteran coming off a good year, but teams typically always hand the job over to a draft pick in this scenario. Especially if said pick is a top-100 selection like Moody is/was. Unless he just bombs, Moody will be the guy kicking field goals and PATs come September. Gonzalez is merely on the roster for competition – the 49ers placekicker job is already won.