FanPost

Early Roster prediction - high turnover edition

This roster prediction is written with a heavy rookie bias - optimistic in assuming that rookies (and other younger players) will win most camp battles and the veterans they replace are cut as cap casualties. The 12 for both offense and defense are in bold (3WRs and 3CBs are considered starters). New additions are in italics. Veterans whose positions are taken by rookies are in brackets (swap them if you prefer vets over the cheaper guys).

Offense (26)

QB(3): Colin Kaepernick, Colt McCoy, Scott Tolzien

RB(4): Frank Gore, LaMichael James, Anthony Dixon, Jewel Hampton

Jewel Hampton fills the last position until Hunter comes back from his Achilles injury

FB(2): Bruce Miller, Lawrence Okoye

Okoye makes the team as a jumbo fullback/ST player. His rugby football experience translates the best here, and this position can be learned relatively easy (Exhibition A: Bruce Miller)

WR(6): Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree, A.J. Jenkins, Quinton Patton, Kyle Williams, Ricardo Lockette

This list is more or less straightforward. When MM is back, either Lockette or Williams is cut

TE(3): Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald, Luke Marquardt (Garrett Celek)

Luke Marquard replaces Garrett Celek as a blocking TE (played this position earlier). He did not play tackle against good opposition, so he might need some time. He won't make it to the practice squad, someone would poach him.

OL(8): Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Jonathan Goodwin, Alex Boone, Anthony Davis, Daniel Kilgore, Joe Looney, Kenny Wiggins

The team did not draft as if swing Tackle was a position of urgent need. Therefore I assume Wiggins is good enough to make the squad.

Defense (24)

DT(3): Ian Williams, Glenn Dorsey, Quinton Dial

No surprise here. I have Williams as starter due to his familiarity with the position. If Dial is not good enough to make the roster as a 5th rounder, he's cut like Slowey were last year.

DE(3): Justin Smith, Ray MacDonald, Demarcus Dobbs

Dobbs is a placeholder until Carradine can make the squad.

OLB(4): Aldon Smith, Ahmad Brooks, Corey Lemonier, Parys Haralson

Cam Johnson is put on the PS, he is replaced by Okoye on special teams.

ILB(4): Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Ian Skuta, Nick Moody (Michael Wilhoite)

If Moody wins the camp battle, good. If Wilhoite wins it, Moody goes to PS.

S (5): Eric Reid, Dontay Whitner, Craig Dahl, Trenton Robinson, C.J. Spillman

I hade Whitner as a cap casualty originally, but changed my mind. As I also forgot Dahl off, he was put back, kicking out McBath.

CB (5): Tarrell Brown, Carlos Rogers, Chris Culliver, Nnamdi Assomougha, Perrish Cox

Cox makes the team as he can be kept for one more year as UDFA. Brock is cut

Special teams (3)

K Phil Dawson, P Andy Lee, LS Ian McDermott (Brian Jennings)

The premier LS prospect of this draft beats out veteran Jennings, to save $500k cap space.

KR: LaMichael James PR: Ricardo Lockette

PUP: RB Kendall Hunter, WR Mario Manningham, DE Cornellius Carradine, RB Marcus Lattimore

Achilles injuries take longer to heal than some ACL tears, I have to assume Hunter starts the season here.

PS: QB D.J Daniels, G Al Netter, T Carter Bykovski, CB Marcus Cooper, CB Darryl Morris, DT Tony Jerod-Eddie, OLB Cam Johnson, TE MarQuies Gray

TJE, Fleming, Hampton, Robinson and Johnson are eligible for the PS.

Cut: FS Darcel McBath, CB Tremaine Brock, LS Brian Jennings, LB Michael Wilhoite

EDIT: I completely forgot Dahl is on the team. Also put Whitner back and 'cut' McBath.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.