49ers' 53-Man Roster Projection

RB/FB - (5)

- Raheem Mostert

- Trey Sermon

- Elijah Mitchell

- JaMycal Hasty

- Kyle Juszczyk

This was one of the harder decisions to make, not only because Wayne Gallman has been playing well, but FB Josh Hokit appears to have all the makings of a starting FB in this league. Hopefully the 49ers somehow swing both around to the practice squad.

WR - (6)

- Brandon Aiyuk

- Deebo Samuel

- Mohamed Sanu

- Trent Sherfield

- Jauan Jennings

- Jalen Hurd

Sherfield is probably the biggest riser of 49ers' training camp and has carried over those performances over to the field this preseason. Travis Benjamin, River Cracraft were among those fighting for this spot but it appears this is how the group will look in 2021.

TE - (3)

- George Kittle

- Ross Dwelley

- Charlie Woener

The main battle in camp was over the third TE spot but it appears Woener has locked up that spot with a very solid preseason.

OL - (8)

-Trent Williams

- Laken Tomlinson

- Alex Mack

- Daniel Brunskill

- Mike McGlinchey

- Jaylon Moore

- Aaron Banks

- Jake Brendel

This is absolutely a position group in which I personally would want the team to be allowed to keep more guys but we are dealing with a #'s game here.

Dakoda Shepley has had an extremely strong camp/preseason and just gets edged out by Brendel, who by all accounts is trusted by Kyle Shanahan at both C/G. Shon Coleman and Colton McKivitz get edged out as well.

DL - (11)

- Javon Kinlaw

- Arik Armstead

- Nick Bosa

- Dee Ford

- Samson Ebukam

- Arden Key

- Kevin Givens

- Maurice Hurst

- Kentavious Street

- Zach kerr

- DJ Jones

*Jordan Willis (doesn't count against roster for first 6 weeks of the season due to suspension)

One of the deepest groups on the roster, I choose to keep 11 DL as the 49ers head into 2021. Football is a war of attrition and I want this group to be one of the strongest/deepest groups on the entire team.

Update: the suspension of Jordan Willis allows the team to Keep Zach Kerr who I had originally not making it, if Willis were to count towards the roster. 

LB - (5)

- Fred Warner

- Dre Greenlaw

- Azeez Al-Shaair

- Darius Flanigan-Fowles

- Jonas Griffith

In my projections, I have Griffith making the team although this last LB spot could absolutely go to Marcell Harris. Griifith vs Harris is one of the most underrated camp battles on this roster. Both bring special teams ability but I lean Griffith as I feel he has more potential and upside at the LB position. 

DB - (9)

- Jimmie Ward

- Tavon Wilson

- Jaquiski Tartt

- Talanoa Hufanga

- Jason Verrett

- Emmanuel Moseley

- K'Waun Williams

- Deommodore Lenoir

- Ambry Thomas

I think if Ambry Thomas wasn't a 3rd round pick, Alexander Myres made a strong case to be the last CB on the roster. However, I don't think the team will give up on Ambry that easily. Plus, the team could sneak Myres onto the practice squad with relative ease. They would try to do the same with HaHa Clinton-Dix as well.

Special Teams - (3)

- Robbie Gould

- Mitch Wishnowski

- Tabor Pepper

No surprise here.

Practice Squad - (16)

- Dakoda Shepley

- Alexander Myres

- Alex Barrett

- Darrion Daniels

- Josh Hokit

- Marcell Harris

- Justin Hillard

- Elijah Sullivan

- Colton McKivitz

- Jared Mayden

- Nsimba Webster

- HaHa Clinton-Dix

- Shon Coleman

- Tom Compton

- Eddie Yarbrough

- MyCole Pruitt

I believe we will see some things go down due to Hurst will be injured with a high-ankle sprain to start the season and could be shuffled around once he actually makes the final roster.

I could see Hurst making the team, then being placed on short-term IR to allow the team to bring back a player like McKivitz/Myres. Hurst can be activated to play after 3 weeks on IR.

This was extremely difficult to project and still don't feel 100% confident with all my selections but had to go with my gut on a few. Glad I am not Kyle Shanahan or John Lynch right now because some tough decision will have to be made.