FanPost

Another in depth 53 man roster projection that you wont agree with #2

Creating this roster is a balance between having the best 53 men on the team and constructing a roster that has the right balance at the right position.

QB- Kap, Gabbert

RB- Gore, Hyde, LMJ, Hampton

FB- Miller

WR- Boldin, Crabs, Stevie, Ellington, Patton, Lloyd

TE- VD, Vance, Carrier

OL- Staley, Iupati, Kilgore, Looney, Davis, M. Martin, J. Martin, Snyder

DL- Cowboy, RayMac, Ian, Tank, TJE, Dial

ILB- Willis, Wilhoite, Borland, Moody

OLB- Ahmad, Lynch, Skuta, Lemonier

DB- Cully, Brock, Johnson, Cox, Cook, Morris

S- Reid, Dahl, Ward, Bethea

ST- Lee, Dawson, McDermott, CJ Spillman, Osgood

Missing (Not counted right now, will be back at some point in the year) Bowman, Boone, Aldon, Lattimore

Strong bubble (Most likely on the team but there is a chance they get cut): Gabbert, Lloyd, Carrier, Snyder, J. Martin

Weak bubble (I have them on the team but that could change instantly): Jewel, Moody, Cox, Cook, Morris,CJ Spillman, Dahl, Osgood

Outside Looking In (Not on the team but that could easily change): Celek, Ventrone, Josh Johnson, Dobbs, Acker, Tuk, Seymour

In case of emergency (They don't make the team but they will probably be available if needed): Tuk, (Josh Johnson I think fits here as well)

NFI- Reaser, Thomas, Millard, Lattimore
PUP- Bowman

Practice Squad: QB McBLT, TE Greene, OT Bykowski, OL Ryan Seymour, DL Mike Purcell, DL Okoye, ILB Skov, CB Acker

The most likely to get picked up off of waivers and not make the PS are: Cleveland, Seymour, Skov, Acker

If the others don't clear waivers: TE Asante Cleveland, DL Kaleb Ramsey, QB Faulkner, S LJ McCray

Notes:

Missing Players -

For the most part I am not going to worry about figuring out who is going to get cut as Aldon, Boone, Bowman, and possibly Dorsey come back. By the time each of them come back somebody else is likely to be hurt. And the team is so deep at each position that they don't necessarily have to cut somebody from the position group of the returning player. For example if a WR gets hurt the week before Aldon comes back they will just have one less WR and one more OLB. Still fine at both positions. No need to sign another WR or cut an OLB.

QB -

Josh Johnson and Gabbert are competing for 2nd string. McBLT looks like PS to me. I think Gabbert is going to win because of the big hit on the cap if he is cut (Plus I think that JJ may be available off the street later in the year). I don't see any way the team can afford to keep 3 QB's on the 53 man roster, there is too much talent. Plus, they don't normally do that anyway. However, at this point I hope that JJ can beat out Gabbert. Gabbert seems like a practice warrior to me and from what we have heard from Jags fans. Josh Johnson is no super star but I would love to see him step up and beat out Gabbert.

If McBLT is claimed off waivers (I don't anticipate that) I would not be surprised if they picked Faulkner back up for the PS.

RB -

This position started as one of such strength. Now, if Lattimore isn't back then it got really thin really quick. If Lattimore isn't healthy then I think they will put Jewel on the team. I have not been that impressed by him but if they aren't going to put him on the team in this situation then I don't know why they have held on to him this long. I assume they see something in him.

They could possibly keep only 3 RB's and not fill Latt's spot with another RB and just use that spot for whomever the next best player is. But I see them keeping Jewel if Latt isn't ready.

FB -

Miller is obvious. Tuk will be cut but he will be available off of the street later in the year if the 49ers need him. However, I have been impressed with Tuk's improvement. If more than 5 teams still used FB's he would find a team. But as things are he will be available.

I suppose they could keep Tuk if Latt is still hurt. That would fall under the best 53 mindset and less under roster construction because they don't need 2 FB's and he doesn't fill the role that Latt would, obviously.

Millard has a future as a FB/TE/H-Back but I think that this year he will be on the NFI due to roster constraints and full injury recovery. I am excited about his future.

WR -

I think it is pretty clear who makes the team here. There is a tiny chance that Stevie gets cut but I think that chance is so small that I didn't even list him on the strong bubble. He is going to make the team in my opinion. There is always a chance that his heart isn't in football anymore and that is why his numbers were down last year and he just can't get back into this year. I don't think that is the case and he will be on the team.

There is a small chance that Patton doesn't make the team. I am fairly certain that he will make the team but there is always a chance. I listed him as a lock but there is always a chance an unproven guy regresses. I think he is going to take a step forward though. Although, he is going to have a hard time getting on the field this year.

The two studs; Crabs and Q are on the team and the rookie Ellington is on the team. I also anticipate Ellington being the return man if LMJ isn't back to full strength.

Under my original projection I didn't have Lloyd making the team. With all of the injuries and not keeping Dobbs I am able to make room for him. He can be valuable and he seems to be playing well. Plus, it keeps the 49ers deep at WR for the first time in couple of decades.

I have Osgood on the team now as well, but i don't list him as a WR because he isn't making the team as a WR. He is making the team as a ST ace.

TE -

I picked Carrier to beat out Celek in my first projection. This was more of a hope than anything. I really like Carrier's skill set. I think he could be Delanie Walker 2.0. Just like DW he was a WR that is being converted to H-back. I see him having the ability to be the backup fullback and the third TE. That removes Tuk from the team. With his speed and experience as a WR he could be a match up problem for teams just like DW was. He did not look great (that is an understatement) last year when played so I am hoping he has had time to improve. And it appears that he has so far this preseason.

Because of Celek's injury I think this has pretty much made Carrier a lock.

I am really hoping that Kevin Greene steps up as well. I would love it if the 49ers became a TE factory the way that Stanford is. They just keep bringing guys in and building them up until they have a stream of swiss army knives. Blocking, pass catching, athletic studs that keep the defense on its heels.

Asante Cleveland was primarily a blocking TE from what I have seen. It did sound like he was pretty heavily sought after in the UDFA market, but that doesn't say that much. Most teams had 7 chances to draft him and passed so he isn't that sought after. I think his only chance of making this team, short of a crazy miracle, is on the PS. However, I don't think he would ever clear waivers and make it to the PS. So I suspect he is on the roster of another team this year.

OL -

5 starters - Staley, Iupati, Kilgore, Looney, Davis.

Based on the history of Boone's agents I see him holding out into the season. I hope it doesn't happen. I really do, and I want to believe that he will be back in time but I fear the worst. In that case I think that Snyder sticks around until Boone comes back. They will want a versatile veteran on the team with Boone missing.

M. Martin is the backup center and most likely the center of the future. But he is inactive on game days during his rookie year. Looney is the starting guard until Boone comes back. J. Martin is the swing tackle.

Snyder misses out on making the team if Boone is back.

Seymour doesn't make it to the PS because another team snatches him up, I think. It is possible he beats out Snyder but I think that they want a vet. They may keep him on the roster as an extra OL. More than they need for roster construction purposes but he might be one of the best 53. I would love him to stick around until next year because I think that with that experience he could start to be a solid player and I hope that it isn't for some other team.

DL -

Thanks to the amazing Jim Tomsula I have 100% confidence in our DL. I know Justin is getting older and may not be the defensive player of the year level player that he once was but he is still an outstanding player. Ray Mac is solid.

Ian Williams' injury creates a bit of a concern. I assume that he will be ok to start the year but there is a chance that he isn't. If he isn't healthy at the start of the year then I see Dobbs making the team at least until he is full strength. But at this point I am assuming he is going to be full strength.

I was impressed with TJE in his limited role last year and I think that he has more physical ability and upside than Dobbs has so that is why I pick him. TJE played a little NT last year but I think his chance to really shine is at DE. But he does have some flexibility.

Dial is a giant man with crazy potential if he can tap into that size. If Dial has the work ethic with Jimmy T working with him the sky is the limit.

I see Dobbs as insurance. When they tendered him they didn't know how Ian's ankle was going to turn out (still don't really) and there is always the chance that somebody else gets hurt before the start of the season. Dobbs is also one of those guys that has continued to improve every year. He does play on ST so that could come into play. But as it stands right now I see him as the odd man out.

At the beginning and the end of last year the 49ers carried 6 defensive linemen. If Dorsey was still healthy I could see the 49ers keeping 7 because those 7 players would be part of the best 53 players. But I don't think Dobbs makes the cut at this point as one of the best 53, at least not when you also factor in roster balance and cap space.

If everything goes as planned maybe they can trade Dobbs for something at the end of TC. But with his salary what it is I don't know if he is tradeable. And that is barring any other injuries.

ILB -

Willis is the rock, obviously. Bowman will be back at some point. Who knows how long and at what level he will be back at initially. But from there it is a craps shoot.

I think that Wilhoite is going to get the starting job with Willis to begin with. He is physically similar to Pat and Bow. He has been training with them for 3 years now. He has been learning the system for 3 years. He has been getting better every year and taking on more and more responsibility. From undrafted and out of football for a year, to tryout and PS. To ST contributor. To top backup. To starting this year (only due to injury, but still). Wilhoite is improving and I hope to see him get even better this year.

Early word is that Borland is looking like the real deal. He is going to add great depth. Rookies rarely start for this coaching staff. Next year when Wilhoite leaves he will be the top reserve. He is going to be a great contributor on ST. I don't think he is going to show enough to the coaching staff to overtake Wilhoite this year, they are pretty reluctant to throw young guys in. But he will be a solid member of the team for a few years and maybe even replace one of the twins as they age.

Moody was supposed to be a ST standout coming out of college. I expect him to show that this year. He could possibly make the team just for his ST ability. He also is the prototype for the LB of the future. He is a converted safety. He is faster than he is strong. He is a coverage guy not a run stopping guy. He could have a good future in the league if he puts it all together. I don't expect to see that this year but I would expect to see him on the team and playing ST.

Skov would have been the perfect MLB/ILB in the 90's and before that. He is big and strong and smart. He was just born in the wrong generation I think. He is not fast. Speed for coverage is so important in today's NFL for LB's. That is not to say that there wont be a spot for him in the NFL. He may have a great career. I just don't see how he beats out the other guys to get a spot on the 53 man roster. I think there would be a PS spot available to him but another team will snag him off waivers. I don't think he will be on the 49ers this season. I could be wrong and he could shine and beat out Moody, Borland, or Wilhoite but I don't see it.

OLB -

If Aldon is suspended to start the season that will open up another roster spot. I am not sure it would be filled with an extra OLB. I think they will be ok with Brooks, Skuta, and Lemonier. Lynch will be on the team I think but he will probably be inactive.

Lynch is an interesting one. He has all the physical tools in the world. Will he pull it together? In the long run my guess is no. It is easy to mess up and hard to stay focused and work if that isn't your natural nature. I don't know that much about him so I could be wrong, and hopefully I am, but I don't see him working long term. However, I think he makes the team this year. He seems good in the limited time he has had. I am excited about his potential but reluctant to buy in fully yet, for the long run.

Skuta is a solid stand in and he is good on ST's. He will be on the team. Hopefully he doesn't see much playing time for a couple of reasons. One, Aldon's suspension is short. Two, and most importantly, Lemonier steps up and plays great. But Skuta is a good reserve to have on the team.

DB -

DB - Brock is clearly the starter on 1 side and Cully the other.

It is possible that Cook and Cox are competing for 1 spot but I see the team keeping both. Cox has value in all of the different things he is able to do. He is a backup on the outside and in the slot, and as a returner. I also think that he is the dime back if Ward beats him out as the nickel (and I think that he will).

If Ward is good enough at learning new positions that the coaches feel comfortable with him on the team as the 4th safety then that frees up an extra DB position. Ward will still be the starting nickel back but his spot on the roster will be listed as a safety.

Cox, Morris, and Acker will compete but lose to Ward for the nickel spot. They will then compete for the dime spot. The winner is the dime back. 2nd place is the backup slot corner. Third place is cut if it is Cox or maybe Morris. If Morris loses the battle to become a DB he could still make it on the team by potentially beating out Spillman/Osgood/Ventrone for the ST only position. If it is Acker he will be sent to PS. I am pretty sure he will NOT make it to the PS without another team stealing him but that is what I see happening.

Johnson will be on the team and most likely inactive all year. It would be amazing if he was good enough to beat out Cook as the backup on the outside. That would bode very well for the future. I don't see it happening this year but it would be great if he was that good this early. If Johnson beats out Cook then I actually see the team keeping Acker so that he can develop for the future.

S -

Reid and Bethea are obviously on the team. And I know a lot of people don't like to hear this, but at least at the beginning of the year, Dahl is the best backup safety on the team. Hopefully Ward changes that by the end of the year. But Dahl is a good special teams contributor and a better backup safety then anybody else on the team at the beginning of the year. He also has a contract that makes cutting him not very beneficial.

I have Ward listed as the 4th safety. If he isn't good enough as a safety to take a spot there and he has to take the spot of a CB then that probably means that somebody good is getting cut at CB. I hope that Ward is good enough at S to make either Dahl or CJ expendable.

Originally I had Osgood as the ST ace. Then I changed it to CJ. Then with all of the injuries I was able to keep both. I think there should only be 4 safety's on the team and that is why I have CJ listed as the ST ace. However, the truth is that he does play some safety. If he beats out OsgoodVentrone then that takes some pressure off of Ward. CJ would then be the 4th safety that would be used in an emergency instead of Ward. And again, hopefully Ward changes that by the end of the year and is the backup safety by then.

However you look at it I see CJ's spot on the team as very precarious. Depending on how things shake out he could lose his spot to Ward, Dahl, or any of the ST aces. On the other hand, he offers more value at his position than any of the other ST aces and takes pressure off of Ward.

ST Ace / 53 Spot-

This position is in flux. I see this as the least secure spot on the team because there are so many people fighting for this one spot. Not just guys who are ST aces but other positions as well. I had CJ Spillman beating out Osgood for the ST specialist role before all of the injuries but now I see room for both of them.

If Ward/Patton/Ellington/Johnson/somebody else turns out to be a suitable gunner then it is possible that Morris and somebody else are the gunners and Osgood and Spillman are both off of the team. It has been reported that Patton and Elington are practicing as gunners. That does not bode well for any of the ST aces. But it is very hard to tell at this point.

I would not be shocked if Ventrone won this spot over CJ or Osgood. If Ventrone is kept on the team, Morris would be the other gunner.

All of the ST aces (Spillman/Osgood/Ventrone) could potentially miss making the team to make room for an extra player at many different positions: Seymour, Dobbs, Acker, or even somebody else. The 53rd spot on this team is going to be very hard to earn. And guys like Lloyd, Cook and Dahl could possibly lose their spot for a different position as well.

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.