49ers Players in Serious Danger of Being Cut

With the regular season debuting less than a month from now, actual football can finally be discussed. Of course, not everything is dandelions and daisies when it comes to football. Roster cuts, while necessary, are one of them. 

While training camp serves to get players acclimated with each other and coaches, the preseason functions as the audition. 

Is it boring? Not necessarily, but I can sympathize with fans who don't feel up to the challenge of watching third-stringers stink it up. 

Whether we like it or not, the preseason has a purpose. 

This purpose, as I stated above, focuses on creating a well-rounded 53-man roster. 

Here are five players who are in danger of being cut. 

Scott Tolzien (QB)

According to Matt Maiocco, B.J. Daniels may have the upper hand on Scott Tolzien for the third string job behind Colin Kaepernick and Colt McCoy. 

This isn't a surprise. Daniels has the versatility to play on special teams and at quarterback. In addition, Daniels can play multiple positions on offense because of his athleticism. 

Both players haven't seen regular season work at quarterback, so inexperience is viewed rather equally in this case. 

However, I still think Tolzien is the more accurate quarterback. 

It's accuracy vs. versatility? For now, I would agree with Maiocco on his assertion that Daniels is the leader heading into the 49ers first preseason action. 

UPDATE:

Jim Harbaugh has stated that the backup quarterback position is wide open. As of right now, the competition is even. Scott Tolzien was also called out by Harbaugh on his approach to the game. 

Lavelle Hawkins (WR)

Lavelle Hawkins and Austin Collie were signed to one-year deals in the hopes they could bring some competition to the WR position. If healthy, Collie should make the roster, but the same can't be said about Hawkins. 

While I don't doubt either Trent Baalke or Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers currently have a logjam at wide receiver. I understand the injury issues at receiver, but bringing in Hawkins was somewhat unnecessary. 

Hawkins brings some speed to this receiver corps, but there's a reason the New England Patriots released the six-year veteran after signing him to a two-year deal in May.

He's had issues with consistency thus far in his career. In addition, the 49ers receivers should get healthier, meaning less time for Hawkins on the field. 

In what amounted to be a rather quick signing, I expect Hawkins to be released relatively soon.

Perrish Cox (DB)

As I have stated before, Perrish Cox has been somewhat of a disappointment since signing with the 49ers last year. Not surprisingly, his roster spot could be in jeopardy. 

The 49ers need bodies at corner with the latest injury to Chris Culliver, but I still think they can survive with Marcus Cooper and Tramaine Brock. 

Vic Fangio even commented on Cooper's improvement in camp. 

Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers will assume starting roles, with the latter shifting more into the slot.

Brock looks like a solid candidate to take over in nickel packages, while Nnamdi Asomugha and Cooper serve as situational and backup players. We'll talk about Asomugha in a bit.

The 49ers even have some safeties who can play corner, which puts Cox in a deeper hole.

Ricardo Lockette (WR)

The 49ers have a gluttony of receivers. Lockette, while physically talented, hasn't lived up to his coach's strong praises.

The recent signings of Lavelle Hawkins and Austin Collie point to a possible distrust in the current 49ers receivers. Why else would they sign an injury-plagued receiver in Collie?

A.J. Jenkins has been inconsistent, but seems to be on the up after a recent good practice. Mario Manningham has been shelved thus far, and Kyle Williams hasn't practiced the last few days. Quinton Patton is also dealing with some issues due to a dislocated finger. 

Lockette will have to prove his worth in preseason action. If he struggles early on, he might get the boot. 

Nnamdi Asomugha (DB)

Nnamdi Asomugha, according to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, has been up and down during his first training camp with the 49ers. 

"We really didn't now what we were getting when we got Nnamdi," Fangio said. "He's had some good days out here and some days when we weren't sure if he'd be able to still have it. I think we're kind of in between on him right now."

Does Asomugha still have it? Well, I'm not sure. 

Fangio did comment that Asomugha has had two straight practices with plus performances, but the veteran coordinator wants to see some consistency from the former Eagles corner. 

Also, the 49ers are still interested in former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Eric Wright.

Wright is still dealing with some injury issues, but if his health clears up, we may see Nnamdi on the street come the regular season.