Breaking Down 49ers' Roster After the 2015 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers' actions in the 2015 NFL draft are complete, and head coach Jim Tomsula's team has added a number of undrafted free agents (UDFAs) to get the roster close to 90 players.

San Francisco's roster—which can be viewed here at the team's website—will eventually be whittled down to 53 players. But that will come with time. Minicamps, training camp and the preseason will help dictate which players stay and which go.

“I feel really good about the roster we have, and all positions,” Tomsula said, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area after the draft.

General manager Trent Baalke made 10 selections during the draft. Combined with offseason free-agent signings and UDFAs, the 49ers roster will enter the phase where competition and performance will ultimately dictate the outlook of the team in Week 1.

Baalke stocked up on the defense yet did not select an inside linebacker or a cornerback. Other positions, like tight end and along the offensive line, did receive substantial reinforcements.

So how will this play into the 49ers' roster projections in 2015?

It's far too early to determine just how the roster will shape up for the regular season. But it is possible to draw some conclusions and examine what depth charts are looking like now that the draft is complete.

Questions can be asked about specific position battles, hot seats and where many of the new players on San Francisco's roster will fit heading toward the 2015 season.

Let's try to find some answers.

Note: Italicized players are projected to be backups on base offensive/defensive formations for 2015. Depth is also determined by the ability to play special teams.

Quarterback

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be the 49ers' No. 1 starter in 2015

Quarterback: Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert, Dylan Thompson (UDFA)

There won't be much competition for the 49ers at quarterback this season. Starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be the No. 1 guy in Week 1 barring injury, and the 49ers elected to re-sign backup QB Blaine Gabbert during the offseason.

Rather than spend a draft pick on a project quarterback, Trent Baalke elected to go with UDFA Dylan Thompson out of South Carolina. He passed for 3,574 yards and 26 touchdowns last season and will likely be a candidate for the practice squad so long as Kaepernick and Gabbert stay healthy.

Additionally, tight end Blake Bell—one of San Francisco's fourth-round selections—played quarterback for three seasons at Oklahoma, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.

"

New 49ers TE Blake Bell spent his first three seasons at Oklahoma as a quarterback.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) May 2, 2015"

With Thompson probably headed to the practice squad, Kaepernick and Gabbert will be the No. 1 and 2 guys heading into 2015.

Projected for the 53-man roster (2): Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert

Running Back

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Running back Carlos Hyde will emerge as the featured back after the free-agent departure of Frank Gore.

Halfback: Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush, Kendall Hunter, Mike Davis, Kendall Gaskins, Jarryd Hayne

Fullback: Bruce Miller, Trey Millard

Veteran running back Frank Gore left the team via free agency, and second-year pro Carlos Hyde will have the chance to step in as the No. 1 back for the 49ers out of the backfield this season.

Hyde will be supported by Kendall Hunter and offseason acquisition Reggie Bush. He may not be an instrumental piece of the physical running game employed by San Francisco's offense, but he does provide a receiving option on various screens and dump-off patterns.

Rookie running back Mike Davis, who was drafted in Round 4, will have to compete for a roster shot. His primary competition may be Hunter, who is coming off a knee injury that sidelined him for all of 2014.

Hunter is signed through 2015 on a $760,000 contract, per Spotrac.com. It's feasible that San Francisco moves on from its longtime No. 2 back if Davis shows promise.

Former Australian rugby star Jarryd Hayne will be a project to watch. Making the roster is a long shot and will be based on his ability to learn the game and develop as an effective back.

"

#49ers already have one must-see rookie on the roster. Read about @jarrydhayne_1's big move. http://t.co/eLhd4jh4rx pic.twitter.com/pk8Voix4Ea

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 30, 2015"

The fullback position shouldn't be that strange heading into 2015, but a vandalism charge against Bruce Miller could change things. Miller has remained away from the 49ers' facilities in Santa Clara during the investigation, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.

This could open up an opportunity for second-year pro fullback Trey Millard. But the legal process will have to play itself out before a roster decision is made.

Projected for the 53-man roster (5): Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush, Kendall Hunter, Mike Davis, Bruce Miller

Wide Receiver

Wide Receiver: Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Jerome Simpson, Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton, Chuck Jacobs, DeAndre Smelter, Dres Anderson (UDFA), Isaac Blakeney (UDFA), DiAndre Campbell (UDFA), Darius Davis (UDFA), DeAndrew White (UDFA)

The 49ers now have 12 wide receivers on the roster—a position of comparative weakness last year as San Francisco posted the 30th-best receiving numbers in the league (3,063 yards).

"

#49ers now have 12 WRs on the roster: Boldin Smith Patton Ellington Simpson Smelter Jacobs Anderson Blakeney Campbell Davis White

— Taylor Price (@TaylorPrice) May 5, 2015"

Wideouts Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith are shoo-ins for the starting two spots, although Boldin is entering a contract year this season. It's likely that the 49ers are evaluating his long-term replacement.

San Francisco also drafted rookie DeAndre Smelter, who is recovering from a torn ACL. He may be redshirted during his first pro season—a route the 49ers took last year with guard Brandon Thomas and cornerback Keith Reaser.

As such, fans might not see the 6'3", 225-pound Smelter until 2016.

The real competition will likely be for the No. 3 wide receiver position. Trent Baalke hinted, per Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News, that he wants to give wideouts Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington a greater opportunity to impact the offense.

Patton has been scantly used over his first two seasons, and Ellington was featured primarily on special teams in 2014.

Wide receiver Jerome Simpson could also be an interesting commodity to watch despite missing all of last season. 

Former Utah wideout Dres Anderson could turn heads during camp. The 6'1", 187-pound target was ranked as a late third- or early fourth-round pick at CBS Sports. San Francisco grabbed him as an undrafted free agent. 

Projected for the 53-man roster (5): Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Jerome Simpson, Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton

Tight End

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Tight end Vernon Davis enters a contract year after one of the worst seasons of his pro career.

Tight End: Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald, Derek Carrier, Blake Bell, Garrett Celek, Rory Anderson, Asante Cleveland, Xavier Grimble 

No. 1 tight end Vernon Davis is coming off a horrid season. He posted just 26 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns—the worst since his rookie year in 2006. 

Davis also enters a contract year this season. At 30 years old, it's difficult to assume the 49ers intend to re-sign him beyond 2015. And the incumbent depth behind Davis leaves plenty to be desired.

Third-year pro tight end Vance McDonald has yet to emerge as little more than a blocker. He has just 10 receptions for 149 yards over his first two seasons. According to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, McDonald is on the hot seat heading into this season:

"

The 49ers signed Derek Carrier to a two-year extension this offseason. And on Saturday, they added two draft picks. Blake Bell was chosen in the fourth round, and Busta Anderson was the best player on their board when they selected him with their final selection. The meaning is clear: McDonald will have to earn his spot this season as Vernon Davis’ top backup.

"

San Francisco's two draft additions at tight end—Blake Bell and Rory "Busta" Anderson—imply that the 49ers could be looking at options other than McDonald. He has shown promise during the preseason but has largely struggled in regular-season contests.

2015 could be McDonald's final chance to provide a return on his Round 2 drafting in 2013.

Projected for the 53-man Roster (4): Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald, Derek Carrier, Blake Bell

Offensive Line

Tackle: Joe Staley, Anthony Davis, Erik Pears, Trent Brown, Ian Silberman, Chris Martin, Patrick Miller (UDFA)

Guard: Brandon Thomas, Alex Boone, Joe Looney, Andrew Tiller

Center: Daniel Kilgore, Marcus Martin, Dillon Farrell

The 49ers stocked up on their offensive line after losing veteran left guard Mike Iupati to free agency this offseason. Added via the draft and undrafted free agency were O-linemen Trent Brown, Patrick Miller and Ian Silberman. San Francisco also picked up veteran free-agent O-lineman Erik Pears.

Iupati's spot is up for grabs, but a prime candidate for his replacement is left guard Brandon Thomas. He was redshirted during his rookie season last year. Also, seventh-round lineman Trent Brown could be worth watching given his massive 360-pound frame, per Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.

"

#49ers GM Trent Baalke on Trenton Brown: "It's a big piece of clay right now."

— Ryan Sakamoto (@SakamotoRyan) May 2, 2015"

Center Daniel Kilgore should also return from the season-ending leg injury he suffered in Week 7 last year. This will push second-year pro Marcus Martin into an interior backup role or as another option for left guard.

But the biggest question is the future of veteran right guard Alex Boone. He has skipped voluntary workouts for the second year in a row, and according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, Trent Baalke has not been in discussions with Boone.

"

Trent Baalke: Hasn’t talked to Alex Boone or his reps. “Right now, he doesn’t have to be in, so there’s nothing to talk about from our end."

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) May 2, 2015"

Boone has $3.74 million remaining on the final year of his current contract, per Spotrac.com. San Francisco could be exploring long-term options for his replacement should the team feel the necessity to move on from Boone's tenure.

Projected for the 53-man roster (8): Joe Staley, Anthony Davis, Erik Pears, Alex Boone, Daniel Kilgore, Brandon Thomas, Marcus Martin, Joe Looney

Defensive Line

Defensive End: Justin Smith, Tank Carradine, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Kaleb Ramsey, Arik Armstead, Lawrence Okoye 

Nose Tackle: Darnell Dockett, Ian Williams, Glenn Dorsey, Quinton Dial, Mike Purcell, Garrison Smith, Marcus Rush 

New head coach Jim Tomsula already has praised his defensive line and then touted the added depth acquired following the draft, via 49ers.com.

"

Jim Tomsula on adding depth to the #49ers defensive line: “We’re strong. We just got stronger.” #49ersDraft

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 1, 2015"

The biggest question facing the D-line in coming weeks will be whether or not veteran defensive end Justin Smith retires. He is expected to make his decision in the next three weeks, according to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee.

San Francisco has depth in case Smith calls it a career. The acquisition of D-lineman Darnell Dockett provides veteran prowess despite him missing all of 2014 with an injury. 

But two linemen will receive close attention in 2015: Tank Carradine and San Francisco's 2015 first-round pick Arik Armstead.

Carradine enters his third year at the pro level. After being redshirted his rookie season, he scarcely saw the field until the latter parts of 2014. He finished strong and ended his second-year campaign with three sacks and 16 tackles.

Yet San Francisco will be closely monitoring Armstead as well.

The 6'8", 290-pound Armstead didn't exactly post awe-inspiring numbers at Oregon (four sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss over three years), and Tomsula admitted, per Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News, that Armstead was going to need some work.

He likely won't be slated into a starting role during his rookie season even if Smith retires, but he may be used in situational formations based on his development.

Projected for the 53-man roster (7): Tank Carradine, Ian Williams, Darnell Dockett, Glenn Dorsey, Quinton Dial, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Arik Armstead

Linebacker

Outside Linebacker: Aldon Smith, Ahmad Brooks, Aaron Lynch, Corey Lemonier, Eli Harold, Marcus Rush (UDFA)

Inside Linebacker: NaVorro Bowman, Michael Wilhoite, Philip Wheeler, Desmond Bishop, Shayne Skov, Nick Bellore, Nick Moody

The 49ers added only one draft-eligible linebacker—Marcus Rush—despite losing both Patrick Willis and Chris Borland to retirement this offseason. The addition of former Miami Dolphins linebacker Philip Wheeler helps provide some depth here behind No. 1 and 2 inside LBs NaVorro Bowman and Michael Wilhoite.

On the outside, San Francisco will look for an effective pass rush from linebackers Aldon Smith and Aaron Lynch.

The addition of former Virginia defender Eli Harold adds some strength to a 49ers pass rush that ranked No. 21 in the NFL last season with just 36 sacks.

"

Eli Harold: "I had a picture of @AldonSmith on my iPad & set on my background my freshman year at UVA. I thought I had similarities to him."

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) May 2, 2015"

Harold also shakes up the depth chart.

According to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, incumbent linebackers Ahmad Brooks and Corey Lemonier are on the hot seat after the selection of Harold:

"

Brooks is coming off a bad season on and off the field, which included two late-season benchings. With salary and bonuses, Brooks is scheduled to make $4.8 million this season. Brooks’ future with the 49ers hinges a little with Harold, but mostly with the competition he’ll face against Aaron Lynch. Lemonier was a third-round draft pick two years ago. He has played sparingly on defense in two seasons, recording just one sack in 32 games while playing a lot of special teams. Harold will definitely compete to surpass Lemonier on the depth chart.

"

Moving Brooks might be a part of the 49ers' long-term financial plans as Maiocco indicates. Lemonier's struggles at the pro level could give Harold an easier chance to work his way into more frequent pass-rushing situations.

Projected for the 53-man roster (9): Aldon Smith, Aaron Lynch, NaVorro Bowman, Michael Wilhoite, Ahmad Brooks, Eli Harold, Phillip Wheeler, Nick Moody, Shayne Skov

Secondary

Cornerback: Tramaine Brock, Shareece Wright, Chris Cook, Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser, Kenneth Acker, Leon McFadden, Marcus Cromartie

Safety: Antoine Bethea, Eric Reid, Craig Dahl, Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, L.J. McCray, Jermaine Whitehead (UDFA)

San Francisco could have drafted a cornerback in the draft after losing corners Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox in free agency. Instead, the 49ers selected safety Jaquiski Tartt out of Samford in Round 2.

Tartt will compete for the immediate backup safety spot behind incumbents Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea. This forces backup safety Craig Dahl onto the hot seat, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, but at least he provides insurance and a long-term option for the depth chart.

Reid has a history of concussions, and Bethea will turn 31 years old before the regular season starts. Perhaps the 49ers part ways with Bethea after 2015 and insert Tartt into a regular role. 

If this were to be the case, second-year pro defensive back Jimmie Ward will likely hold onto his nickel role on defense after missing much of his rookie season in 2014.

But the 49ers still have plenty of cornerback depth even if they didn't draft a prospect here.

"

49ers have nine corners on their roster despite not drafting any over the last three days.

— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) May 2, 2015"

Veteran corner Tramaine Brock should return healthy after missing most of last year. He'll be supported by veterans Shareece Wright and Chris Cook. But the true test will be seeing how second-year pros Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser and Kenneth Acker continue in their maturation process.

Acker and Reaser have yet to play in a regular-season game.

Projected for the 53-man Roster (10): Tramaine Brock, Shareece Wright, Antoine Bethea, Eric Reid, Jimmie Ward, Dontae Johnson, Kenneth Acker, Keith Reaser, Jaquiski Tartt, L.J. McCray

Special Teams

Kicker: Phil Dawson

Punter: Andy Lee, Bradley Pinion

Long Snapper: Kyle Nelson

The 49ers made a questionable move when they drafted former Clemson punter Bradley Pinion in Round 5. 

Punters typically aren't drafted, but Trent Baalke must have seen something in Pinion that would be worth a mid-round selection.

Pinion will enter into a competition with Andy Lee for the 49ers' punter position. This is what Eric Branch of SFGate.com discovered:

"

Clemson punter Bradley Pinion said #49ers told him he would have an “open competition” with Pro Bowler Andy Lee.

— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) May 2, 2015"

Replacing Lee might not make much sense on the surface. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. He is also the longest-tenured player on the roster.

But San Francisco's finances might have dictated this selection of Pinion. Lee is signed through 2018 at an average yearly salary of $3.4 million, per Spotrac.com.

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area describes the forthcoming competition:

"

Lee, a three-time Pro Bowl punter, might actually be the underdog after the 49ers selected Clemson’s Bradley Pinion in the fifth round. Teams do not select punters in the fifth round unless they believe he will end up winning the job. Pinion will be punting for some team in the NFL next season. The only question is whether it’ll be with the 49ers or a team that claims him after the final cuts. 

"

This may be the reason why Pinion wins the opening-day job in 2015.

Projected for the 53-Man roster (3): Phil Dawson, Bradley Pinion, Kyle Nelson

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Draft information courtesy of CBSSports.com.

Peter Panacy is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers.

Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.