NFL Cuts: 53 San Francisco 49ers Worth Keeping
Okay, here we go.
The rosters will be chopped down to the magic number (53) by 1pm Sept 4. I'm not expecting too many big surprises, but my roster list travels a little off the map here.
Much of my ridiculous forecast is based on where it seems like it would be smart to proceed with the roster additions and subtractions.
It's a little outside the box, but not too far off the deep end. Agree or disagree, enjoy this visual roster prediction.
1โQB1โAlex Smith
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This is probably the biggest no-brainer while creating a 53-man roster here. If Alex was on his way out, we would have noticed by now.
2โQB2โDavd Carr
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David Carr was brought in to do exactly what he's doing. And he'll do it all season unless Smith gets busted.
3โQB3โNate Davis
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Nate Davis will not touch the football this year, baring a catastrophe.
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4โRB1โFrank Gore
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Correction: this is the biggest no-brainer on the roster. Frank is the heart and soul of the 49ers offense.
5โRB2โBrian Westbrook
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I'm giving Westbrook the seniority here, as his veteran status simply outranks the rest of the running back corp.
6โRB3โAnthony Dixon
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There's no way the 49ers cut Dixon after the pre-season he's been having. He's the team's future at running back, even if Gore is the present.
7โFB1โMoran Norris
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Behind every great running back out of a power-I formation is a great Fullback. Actually, Scratch that. In front of every great running back out of a Power-I formation is a great fullback.
Norris is pretty dang good; Frank makes him even better.
8โWR1โMichael Crabtree
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Like so many other 49ers: he's young, talented and has stratospheric expectations to live up to.
9โWR2โJosh Morgan
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The Knock on Morgan has been his inconsistency. There are some games where he just can't be found. Other times, he's a standout. Morgan's best contibution, however, is the 220-pound receiver's ability to block on running plays.
10โWR3โTed Ginn Jr.
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The speed the 49ers craved last year showed up this off-season in the form of Ted Ginn Jr.
11โWR4โDoninique Ziegler
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Camps best surprise (IMO) was probably this tall skinny fellowโwith a big, fat heart.
12โWR5โKyle Williams
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He's small, and now I worry delicate. Nevertheless, there are still some big expectations from the rookie. After all, he's a prototype slot receiver.
13โTE1โVernon Davis
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78 catches, 965 yards, 13 touchdowns. Need anybody say more?
14โTE2โDelanie Walker
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Walker is more of a speedy, receiving tight end, but block just fine as well.
15โTE3โNate Byham
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More of a bruising blocker than Walker, Byham can still hurt a defense receiving if they forget about him.
16โOL1(LT)โJoe Staley
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The best, most experienced guy on the line, Joe is holding the left tackle spot until injured (Knock wood) or supplanted.
17โOL2(G2,C2)โDavid Baas
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Baas, last year's Bob McKittrick award recipient, will start the season at center until Eric Heitmann returns. He will then be their backup center and guard.
18โOL3(LG)โMike Iupati
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This big rookie is getting plugged directly into the line. Agile, hostile, mobile, he's a big asset.
19โOL4(C)โEric Heitmann
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Out the first couple weeks with a broken leg bone, Heitmann needs to come back strong when he returns.
20โOL5(RG)โChilo Rachal
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Rachal, a second round pick in 2008, is coming along nicely. Starting all but one game last year, he provides some experience next to Rookie Anthony Davis.
21โOL6(RT)โAnthony Davis
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The second big, bad, first-round pick will also start; not bad for a 20-year-old.
22โOL7(T2,G2) Adam Snyder
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Snyder has made a start at every position except center. He's a versatile and valuable backup.
23โOL8(G2,T2)โBarry Simms
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Simms returns to the 49ers this year as their oldest lineman. At 35 years-old, he'll be doing a lot of mentoring, but can also step in wherever needed. Simms filled in for Joe Staley for seven games in 2009, and did a good job.
24โOL9(C3,G3)โTony Wragge
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Heitmann's out, making Wragge the backup center while Baas fills in.
25โDL1(NT1)โAubrayo Franklin
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The franchise nose guard is back.
26โDL2(RE1)โJustin Smith
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A staple of the defense, Smith is ready for another good season; he knows no other kind.
27โDL3(LE1,NT3)โIsaac Sopoaga.
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Fairly versatile big man on defense, Sopoaga is a brick to move.
28โDL4(NT2)โRicky Jean Francois
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He's small and young, but can be effective.
29โDL5(LE2)โRay McDonald
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Yet another good talent on the defensive line.
30โDL(RE2)โDemetric Evans
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Adequate on the pass rush, Evans can work against the run too.
31โLB1(MILB1)โPatrick Willis
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You've never heard of Patrick Willis? That means you live under a rock.
32โLB2(MILB2)โTakeo Spikes
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Aging like fine wine, Spikes returns for his 13th year.
33โLB3(LOLB1)โManny Lawson
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Lawson was a mild concern as an OTA holdout, but he did add 25 pounds of muscle during the off season.
34โLB4(ROLB1)โTravis LaBoy
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Many see him as a starterโif he can stay healthy.
35โLB5(OLB2)โAhmad Brooks
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Coming off a lacerated kidney, Brooks looks to reignite the sack fire he started last year.
36โLB6(ILB3)โNaVorro Bowman
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The young man can play, and he will.
37โLB7(OLB3)โParys Haralson
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Haralson still needs to come out of his shell, but he's getting there.
38โLB8(ILB4)โMatt Wilhelm
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Adds depth as s special teams standout more than anything.
39โCB1โNate Clement
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Expensive, and he's no Revis, but he plays.
40โCB2โShawntae Spencer
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Might actually be the best corner on the team.
41โCB3โKarl Paymah
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Welcome to San Francisco, young man.
42โCB4โTarell Brown
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More youth speed, and skill.
43โCB5โPhillip Adams
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Finally a recent picture of Adams. Welcome to the NFL, rookie.
44โS1โDashon Goldson
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Best safety on the team.
45โS2(SS1)โMicheal Lewis
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Pretty intense: right for the position.
46โS3โTaylor Mays
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Apparently, they do still make players like Taylor mays.
47โS4โReggie Smith
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Just another young, talented defensive back.
48โKโJoe Nedney
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Gotta have a kicker.
48โPโAndy Lee
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Lee is a Pro-Bowl punter.
50โLSโBrian Jennings
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Somebody has to snap it.
3 Spots Left...
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This is where it gets tricky...
51โRBโMichael Robinson
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No question this guy's name comes up every time the chopping block is mentioned; his running does not impress anybody. Blocking and tackling on special teams, however, save his place here.
52โFBโBrit Miller
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I think Miller get a shot from the get go this year. He does well on special teams as well, as he converted to fullback from linebacker.
53โOLโAlex Boone
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When the press mentions cutting Boone, they include the likelihood that he'll be claimed off waivers by another team before the 49ers can get him to the practice squad. Keeping him aviods this mess.
And Then...
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Obviously this isn't official. Some spots (especially the last three here) leave the door open for debate and controversy. Actual rosters are revealed Saturday.
Until then, um... Go 49ers!
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