The 49ers completed their second round of cuts ahead of the preseason finale on Tuesday. Their roster is now 80 players and they need to reach 53 by 1pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, August 30th.
Our new projection has a handful of changes after the second preseason game and a few more practices.
As a reminder, here are our three other projections:
Projection 1.0
Projection 2.0
Projection 3.0
And now the latest:
Quarterbacks (2)
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Trey Lance
Nate Sudfeld
It sounds like there’s a legitimate fight between Sudfeld and seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy. There’s a definite chance San Francisco will retain three QBs.
Notable Cuts: Jimmy Garoppolo, Brock Purdy
running back (4)
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Elijah Mitchell
Tyrion Davis Prize
Jeff Wilson Jr.
JaMycal Hasty
There will definitely be some surprises in the final list of cuts, and it feels like the 49ers’ running backs room might hold a few. Our last projection had Trey Sermon in the mix while Jordan Mason missed the cut. Now they’re both out and Mason is a candidate to make the practice group.
Notable cuts: Trey Sermon, Jordan Mason
Full-back (1)
(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Kyle Juszczyk
The 49ers don’t even field a second fullback in the preseason.
wide receiver (6)
(AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Debbo Samuel
Brandon Ayuk
Jauan Jennings
Ray Ray McCloud
Danny Gray
Malik Turner
There is a small change here. Turner made our second projection and then missed the third, leaving five wide receivers. However, it’s clear he values special teams, which opens the door for him to make the first 53 man.
Notable cuts: Marcus Johnson, Willie Snead
Tight End (3)
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
George Kittel
Charlie Worner
Ross Dwelley
In our last projection we had an additional TE. This familiar trio makes the most sense, however, with Dwelley serving as a third TE and backup full-back. He played the FB role to start against Minnesota and he did so in the pat due to Juszczyk being absent.
Notable Cuts: Tyler Kroft, Troy Fumagalli
Offensive line (9)
(AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
Trent Williams
Mike McGlinchey
Colton McKivitz
Jake Brendel
Daniel Brunskill
Aaron Banks
Jaylon Moore
Spencer Burford
Jason Poe
Poe is new here. Ahead of the preseason finale, he worked on offense in the first team. The UDFA of Mercer’s rise through training camp is notable and could see him not only making the definitive list but potentially playing a role.
Notable cuts: Justin Skule
line of defense (10)
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Nick Bosa
Samson Ebukam
Drake Jackson
Karl Omenihu
KerryHyder
Kemoko Turay
Arike Armstead
Javon Kinlaw
Kevin Givens
Hassan Ridgeway
No changes on the defensive front for the time being. This is one area where they could keep an extra player if they want to go short somewhere like cornerback or on offense.
Notable cuts: Jordan Willis
defender (5)
(AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Fred Warner
dr Greenlaw
Aziez Al-Shair
Oren Burk
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
This group will remain the same for now, but it feels like fifth place is up for grabs with Flannigan-Fowles and a handful of UDFAs in the mix. Marcelino McCrary-Ball is a name to watch out for. He had a nice camp and a nice pre-season.
Notable Cuts: Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Curtis Robinson
Corner defender (6)
(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
Charvarius district
Emmanuel Mosley
Ambry Thomas
Samuel Womack
Demomodore Lenoir
Dontae Johnson
Name this group five or six depending on how you want to classify Johnson. He has played at Camp Safety but may also play multiple CB spots. We’re keeping him here for now. That group appears to be mostly set unless the club solely wants to keep Johnson safe and keep an extra CB.
Notable cuts: Tariq Castro-Fields, Ka’dar Hollman
Security (4)
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jimmie Ward
Tarvarius Moore
Talanoa Hufanga
George Odum
Ward’s hamstring injury is the impetus for Johnson to potentially make the club a safety. San Francisco signed veteran Tashaun Gipson in the last week of preseason, and UDFA Tayler Hawkins had a game that sealed INT against Minnesota. However, this group is probably fixed.