Where 49ers roster stands at each position going into final preseason game
The San Francisco 49ers will wrap up their preseason slate Friday night against the Las Vegas Raiders.
That game will spell the end of the preseason, and then we can turn the page to the regular season. However, before the 49ers suit up to play the Jets in Week 1, they have to trim their roster to 53 players. Friday's game will play a key role in determining some of the coaching staff's decisions with their roster.
Even after a full offseason program, training camp, and a couple of preseason games, there are still question marks at each position for San Francisco. Here's a quick rundown of each position and where things stand going into the final week of the preseason:
Quarterback
There's no starting QB controversy this year. Brock Purdy has the starting job locked down. However, Josh Dobbs has turned the backup QB battle with Brandon Allen into a fascinating race. Allen had a leg up entering training camp because of his familiarity with the offense, but Dobbs has quickly picked things up after a slow start and they've played to a draw in two preseason games. Friday night may determine who QB2 is on game days.
Running back
Christian McCaffrey's calf injury is worth keeping a close eye on in the couple of weeks between the preseason finale and the season opener. There won't be a practice participation report until the Thursday leading up to Week 1. The rest of the depth chart has tons left to figure out. Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell are duking it out for the backup running back snaps. Fourth-round rookie Isaac Guerendo will debut vs. the Raiders, and he's trying to fend off undrafted rookie Cody Schrader for a potential fourth RB spot on the roster. Mitchell's future is a little murky if he is surpassed on the depth chart by Mason. If he's not RB2, the team may aim to move him and keep both Guerendo and Schrader, or veteran Patrick Taylor who has yet to play in the preseason.
Fullback
Kyle Juszczyk is vibing.
Wide receiver
The Brandon Aiyuk situation still isn't resolved, which leaves plenty of questions surrounding the rest of the WR depth chart. Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings figure to spearhead the receiving corps. First-round pick Ricky Pearsall will be on the roster despite missing most of training camp and all of the preseason with hamstring and shoulder injuries. Fourth-round rookie Jacob Cowing also secured a roster spot with a stellar showing in his preseason debut. After that, Chris Conley is in the mix with Tay Martin, Ronnie Bell and Danny Gray for a roster spot. Aiyuk's status may ultimately determine what direction the 49ers lean at WR.
Tight end
There's a lot going on behind George Kittle on the depth chart. Eric Saubert, Brayden Willis and Jake Tonges are all jockeying for roster spots or playing time. Logan Thomas was re-signed ahead of the preseason finale as well which adds an extra layer of intrigue. Cameron Latu is on the outside looking in, but the 49ers still have four players battling for two or three roster spots in the preseason finale.
Offensive line
The Trent Williams contract situation looms large over this group. If he returns for the season opener, he'll line up with most of last year's starting offensive line. The one exception is rookie third-round pick Dominick Puni, who appears to have sewn up the starting right guard spot. Jaylon Moore looks in line to land the swing tackle job, and Nick Zakelj has made progress as a versatile interior OL option. With Jon Feliciano due to begin the season on IR because of a knee injury, the door is open for veterans Chris Hubbard, Brandon Parker and Spencer Burford to secure roster spots. Ben Bartch should also be in the mix, along with rookies Jarrett Kingston and Drake Nugent.
Defensive line
Unfortunately for the 49ers there aren't many tough decisions to make on the defensive line. Their depth is lacking, particularly at defensive end where Nick Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos and Robert Beal all figure to be on the 53-man roster. There's not another DE who has stood out enough to make his way into that conversation. Defensive tackle Kalia Davis went down with a knee injury as well, and his absence from the group removes much of the decision-making for the 49ers coaching staff. Perhaps undrafted rookie Evan Anderson, or veterans Shakel Brown, T.Y. McGill and Alex Barrett can make a late push for a roster spot. That'll be worth keeping an eye on Friday evening.
Linebacker
This group is loaded and may be worth watching closest in the final preseason game. San Francisco might keep six at this spot with Fred Warner and De'Vondre Campbell working as the two every-down players. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles appears to be the frontrunner for the starting Sam LB job. Even if the 49ers keep six LBs, that leaves three open spots for second-year LBs Jalen Graham and Dee Winters, rookie Tatum Bethune, and veteran Curtis Robinson to battle for. All four of those players bring a lot to the table. Figuring out which one or two to let go won't be an easy call.
Cornerback
We can virtually copy and paste the linebacker situation here. Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir will be every-down players. Rookie second-round pick Renardo Green is in a battle with veteran Isaac Yiadom for the third CB job. That quartet should be on the 53-man roster. If San Francisco keeps six, there are two open spots for Samuel Womack, Darrell Luter Jr., Rock Ya-Sin and Chase Lucas. All four of them contribute in different ways defensively and on special teams. Friday may be key in determining how the secondary shakes out.
Safety
Talanoa Hufanga's health is the biggest question mark at safety entering the final week of the preseason. Ji'Ayir Brown acquitted himself well as a starting free safety. George Odum, usually a special teams ace, has done a nice job filling in for Hufanga on defense. They'll start if Hufanga can't go. Then fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha looks to be in line for a key special teams role with the potential to slot into a starting job if there's another injury at the position. Tayler Hawkins was let go before the preseason finale, leaving undrafted rookie Jaylen Mahoney and veteran Tracy Walker as the other two safeties. Both are practice squad candidates.
Specialists
Pressley Harvin III has done the punting for the 49ers while Mitch Wishnowsky dealt with an injury. It looks like Wishnowsky is on pace to suit up for the season opener, which spells the end of Harvin's chances to sneak onto the team.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Where 49ers roster stands at each position going into final preseason game