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49ers 53-man roster projection 3.0: Adjustments after preseason opener

Aug 10, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan paces the side lines during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan paces the side lines during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers finished their first preseason game of the year Saturday with a 17-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

That means it's time for another 53-man roster projection! We've did a couple during the offseason, but it's time to make some adjustments now that we've seen a large portion of the 90-man roster in game action.

Our first projection can be found here. Our second projection can be found here.

Here's our guess at a 53-man roster following the 49ers' preseason opener:

Quarterback (3)

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Brock PurdyBrandon AllenJoshua Dobbs

Changes: We went with three QBs this time instead of two. San Francisco may just keep two and hope they can stash one on the practice squad to be the emergency QB on game days. It may not be possible to get one through waivers after cuts depending on how the backup battle shakes out.

Running back (4)

Oct 1, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs with the ball past Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White (7) during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs with the ball past Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White (7) during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Christian McCaffreyElijah MitchellJordan MasonCody Schrader

Changes: Schrader got onto the roster this time over fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo, who has been out of camp since suffering a hamstring injury on the first day of training camp. The undrafted rookie also flashed enough as a kick returner and on offense to justify a roster spot.

Fullback (1)

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Kyle Juszczyk

Changes: None, obviously.

Wide receiver (6)

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 03: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown with Brandon Aiyuk #11 during the third quarter in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 03: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown with Brandon Aiyuk #11 during the third quarter in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Brandon Aiyuk (still here)Deebo SamuelJauan JenningsRonnie BellRicky PearsallJacob Cowing

Changes: Chris Conley was on our last projection, but he's more likely to land on the practice squad. Cowing, a fourth-round pick, holds onto his spot for now. He's just returning from a hamstring injury. Ronnie Bell is the new addition after putting together a handful of strong performances in camp. Tay Martin had a handful of nice plays Saturday. He's a long way from the roster still.

Tight end (3)

Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) reacts after a first down against the Detroit Lions during the second half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) reacts after a first down against the Detroit Lions during the second half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

George KittleBrayden WillisEric Saubert

Changes: Logan Thomas made our last projection. He was cut before the preseason opener. There may not be four NFL tight ends on the 90-man roster. Willis and Saubert appear to be leading the race for roster spots at TE after both started and had strong showings in the preseason opener.

Offensive line (9)

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 12: Trent Williams #71 of the San Francisco 49ers against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at EverBank Field on November 12, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 12: Trent Williams #71 of the San Francisco 49ers against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at EverBank Field on November 12, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Trent WilliamsColton McKivitzJake BrendelDominick PuniAaron BanksJon FelicianoSpencer BurfordChris HubbardBen Bartch

Changes: Bartch was tacked on as an extra offensive lineman. He may be in the hunt for a roster spot with Nick Zakelj, who started Saturday's game at center. Puni looked the part of a starting NFL lineman in his limited action Saturday. There's still a lot to work out on the offensive line. Williams needs to get his contract situation ironed out and the last few roster spots need to be spoken for.

Defensive line (9)

Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) reacts after the 49ers recorded a safety against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) reacts after the 49ers recorded a safety against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Nick BosaLeonard FloydJavon HargraveMaliek CollinsYetur Gross-MatosRobert Beal Jr.Jordan ElliottKevin GivensKalia Davis

Changes: We removed Drake Jackson, who went on season-ending IR. Nothing happened in the preseason game to change this group at all. The depth at defensive end is thin. Don't be surprised if the 49ers make a trade there at some point during the season.

Linebacker (5)

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a stop to force fourth down during the fourth quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a stop to force fourth down during the fourth quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Fred WarnerDe'Vondre CampbellCurtis RobinsonDee WintersJalen Graham

PUP: Dre Greenlaw

Changes: Robinson gets on the roster over Ezekiel Turner and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles. The 49ers have some real battles playing at at linebacker, and the ability to play on the defensive side may be the deciding factor for roster spots. This group could go a bunch of different ways, but based on Saturday's game, this looks like the way things are leaning.

Cornerback (6)

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) celebrates after running back an interception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) celebrates after running back an interception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Charvarius WardDeommodore LenoirRenardo GreenDarrell Luter Jr.Isaac YiadomSamuel Womack

Changes: No changes here despite Rock Ya-Sin's good game against the Titans. There are a lot of potentially really good CBs on the 90-man roster which means some quality players may get cut.

Safety (4)

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Ji'Ayir Brown #27 of the San Francisco 49ers intercepts a pass intended for DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Ji'Ayir Brown #27 of the San Francisco 49ers intercepts a pass intended for DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Talanoa HufangaJi'Ayir BrownGeorge OdumMalik Mustapha

Changes: No changes at safety.

Specialists (3)

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers place kicker Jake Moody (4) prepares to kick an extra point against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers place kicker Jake Moody (4) prepares to kick an extra point against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

K Jake MoodyP Mitch WishnowskyLS Taybor Pepper

Changes: Nothing changed here.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers 53-man roster projection 3.0: Adjustments after preseason opener