5 49ers Who Will Be on the Roster Bubble in 2015

Determining exactly who makes the 2015 San Francisco 49ers' roster will be based on a number of primary issues.

The 49ers are pressed up against the salary cap. San Francisco's top 51 contracts are projected to amount to $147,926,194, according to Over the Cap. Combine this with the notion that there are position battles to be won, and one can see that the 49ers have some difficult decisions to make when training camp opens in 2015.

But which players will be vying for a roster spot come that point? Depth positions and contractual obligations will ultimately determine specifically which players wind up on the bubble watch entering next season.

We can get an idea of such players based on those contractual obligations, needs of the franchise and what the 49ers will possibly do during the offseason.

Let's take a look at some potential roster-bubble players that might wind up being off the roster at the start of the 2015 season.

Craig Dahl, Safety

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Craig Dahl has been a liability in coverage this season.

Backup safety Craig Dahl might have ended the 49ers' 2014 season on a positive note, but the 29-year-old veteran might wind up being off the roster prior to Week 1 of the upcoming year.

His $1.933 million cap hit in 2015 suggests that Dahl could be a cap casualty next season.

But even if Dahl survives the offseason to compete for a roster spot in the upcoming year, there is reason enough to suspect the 49ers will move elsewhere.

Dahl struggled enough in 2014. His coverage abilities were called into question numerous times while serving as the primary backup to starting safeties Antoine Bethea and Eric Reid.

"

Craig Dahl couldn't cover someone if he had a blanket #49ers

— 49ers Gab (@49ersGab) December 28, 2014"

Assuming Dahl makes it onto the 90-man roster at the start of training camp, he'll be forced to compete with backups like L.J. McCray, who have also proven versatility and ability on special teams.

With the 49ers looking to get cheaper across the board, it's difficult to assume this veteran will maintain his spot on the roster.

Corey Lemonier, Outside Linebacker

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Corey Lemonier has yet to emerge as the pass-rushing specialist the 49ers needed.

Second-year pro linebacker Corey Lemonier was supposed to be the supplemental part that backed up pass-rushing linebacker Aldon Smith.

Instead, Lemonier struggled to gain any sort of headway during Smith's nine-game suspension in 2014.

Lemonier totaled just seven tackles this season. He lost his pass-rushing spot to rookie linebacker Aaron Lynch early this season, and Lemonier found himself relegated to special teams duty while Lynch has emerged as the premier pass-rusher opposite Smith.

The former third-round pick will count $730,880 against the cap in 2015 and has an additional $685,000 in base salary for 2016.

With Lynch emerging, will the 49ers consider retaining the former Auburn protege on the roster heading into the next season?

"

Corey Lemonier on special teams (tackle numbers from @PFF): 2 tackles, 2 penalties, 3 missed tackles

— Bay Area Sports Guy (@BASportsGuy) November 23, 2014"

Lemonier probably won't emerge as the backup option at outside linebacker. The 49ers will likely look to other incumbent roster players to supplement their needs, which means Lemonier will need a strong camp to justify staying with the team in 2015.

Quinton Patton, Wide Receiver

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Wide receiver Quinton Patton will look to solidify himself on the 49ers' roster beyond this year.

Wideout Quinton Patton scarcely saw the field in 2015.

The second-year pro appeared in just four games for San Francisco this season, which stands in stark contrast to the hopes the 49ers offense had for him entering this year.

Patton is a relatively cheap commodity who, despite his promise, won't cost San Francisco that much next season.

The fourth-round selection of the 2013 NFL draft is scheduled to make $585,000 in base salary next year with a total cap hit of $682,875. Patton is signed through 2016 and is an unrestricted free agent the following year.

Parting ways with Patton would indicate the 49ers do not have much confidence in his abilities to ultimately benefit San Francisco on offense. He does have some injury concerns, but the fact that he was rarely active this year suggests his development has not quite worked up to San Francisco's expectations.

Add this to the thought that the 49ers will target a wide receiver in Round 1 of the 2015 NFL draft, and Patton's future looks even bleaker.

Vance McDonald, Tight End

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No. 2 tight end Vance McDonald has yet to emerge as the pass-catching threat the 49ers need.

Tight end Vance McDonald was supposed to be the supplementary piece that complemented No. 1 tight end Vernon Davis after the former was drafted in Round 2 of the 2013 NFL draft.

McDonald didn't emerge as this guy his rookie season, and his second year was even less spectacular. He had just two receptions for 30 yards in five games despite being targeted eight times.

San Francisco's No. 2 tight end was hampered by an injury that limited him to just eight games in 2014. While a solid blocker, the 49ers might be looking for a bit more out of this position given the combined struggles of both Davis and McDonald.

"

So many TEs the #49ers passed on taking Vance McDonald in 2013...

— Christian Gin (@Christian_Gin) January 11, 2015"

McDonald is scheduled to make $682,198 in base salary next season. A free agent in 2017, McDonald would not be a heavy cap hit if the 49ers admit that he did not pan out to their expectations after two seasons.

Much of this will be contingent on whether or not San Francisco views Davis as a potential cap casualty in 2015. Davis is scheduled to earn $4.35 in base salary next season. The franchise could possibly view McDonald as the next-best option behind Davis should the 49ers not retain Davis, but McDonald's career stats do not warrant much confidence.

San Francisco also might consider depth-chart tight ends Derek Carrier and Asante Cleveland as potential long-term options, which puts McDonald's future in doubt.

Jonathan Martin, Right Tackle

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The 49ers have right tackle Jonathan Martin under contract through 2015.

The acquisition of swing tackle Jonathan Martin made sense prior to the 2014 season. 

Martin could play both tackle positions, which gave the 49ers some flexibility behind incumbents Joe Staley and Anthony Davis. As it turned out, Martin wound up starting nine games in place of the oft-injured Davis during the year.

But Martin was a considerable drop-off when compared to the No. 1 option at right tackle. San Francisco's right side of the offensive line was a considerable weakness over the majority of the season.

"

Yeesh. The right side of the O-line is awful. Jonathan Martin or Swiss cheese? IDK anymore. Niners to punt up 7-3 w/8:03 left in 3rd #49ers

— Golden Gate Sports (@goldenbaysports) December 14, 2014"

Martin is signed through 2015 and will count $1,042,400 against the cap if retained on the roster. But none of this is in base salary, which makes Martin a perfect candidate for a cut if San Francisco feels it can find a worthy backup on its own roster, in free agency or via the draft.

The 49ers will obviously hope that the combination of Staley and Davis will remain healthy next season. And a $1-plus million backup who can fill either position is a nice commodity to have. 

Yet San Francisco might seek a developmental piece here instead of relying on a player who was more of a liability than an asset.

As a result, Martin finds himself on the bubble.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference unless otherwise indicated. Contractual information courtesy of Spotrac.com unless noted otherwise.

Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers news, insight and analysis.

Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.