Last season I signed up for text message updates from the 49ers and I have to say, some of the time I'm receiving them before seeing anything online. Being in the slow days of June, not a whole lot is going on so not too many messages. However, early yesterday afternoon I learned that the 49ers had successfully claimed QB Kyle Wright off waivers from the Vikings and waived QB Drew Olson.
Considering the quarterbacks already in camp, I'd be shocked if Wright was on the roster at the end of August. At the same time, Wright could be a prime candidate for the practice squad. Drew Olson actually spent a small part of the season on the practice squad. In the meantime, the claim of Wright has inspired me. The 49ers currently have 81 players on their roster, including unsigned draft picks. Just for sh$#s and giggles I thought I'd put together the "worst starting lineup possible." All of these players are certainly world class athletes, but many of them are not starter quality.
OFFENSE
QB: Kyle Wright - He was ok for the U last season but definitely the worst option.
RB: Michael Robinson - Robinson brings a lot to the table, but I'm convinced Thomas Clayton is a better pure running back. We're not factoring in potential special teams contributions either.
WR: Dominque Ziegler & Jerard Rabb - I actually like most of the 49ers less wide receivers, especially Robert Jordan. Ziegler has struggled with injuries problems and Rabb was the 1A banana at Boise State in 2006 (he was the guy who caught the lateral and tied the game).
TE: Cooper Wallace - At least JJ Finley is a rookie and put up better college numbers. Wallace has been in the NFL a couple years and hasn't made a big impact yet. I'd imagine he's coming to the end of the road pretty soon.
OT: Damane Duckett & Alan Reuber - Duckett is a pet project of Nolan and considering he's never actually played in a game as a tackle. Reuber has been around since 2004 and has seen scattered action during that time.
C: Cody Wallace - Not exactly an inspired pick. I'm tempted to just see Wallace starting over Heitmann, but this is more a default pick since the 49ers only have a pair of centers.
OG: Brian De La Puente & Jeb Terry - Terry has been around the league for a few years and seen some action mostly on special teams. De La Puente is a rookie out of Cal and I wouldn't mind seeing him on the practice squad.
DEFENSE
DE: Atiyyah Ellison & Louis Holmes - Ellison joins the running theme of practice squad bodies on this squad. Louis Holmes is an undrafted free agent, so it's certainly too early to tell what he brings to the table.
DT: Walter Curry - LaJuan Ramsey was battling for this spot, but Ramsey has actually registered real NFL statistics. Curry was an undrafted free agent in 2005 and has bounced from practice squads to NFL Europe and back.
OLB: Roderick Green & Parys Haralson - The linebacker positions show you the deth the 49ers have. Green and Haralson are probably not starting caliber (at least for the 49ers), but they provide quality depth
ILB: Dennis Haley & Larry Grant - As seen in the outside linebackers, inside linebacker would also be a strength of this particular team. Grant is a favorite of mine, so we'll see how he looks in training camp.
CB: Markus Curry & Marcus Hudson - Curry has bounced around practice squads since 2005 and I'd imagine he'd be an early cut in training camp. The second CB spot was tough. Tarell Brown brings way too much upside and Strickland gets a pass thanks to his huge defensive play against the Cardinals. Reggie Smith is too green to be considered here so that leaves "veteran" Marcus Hudson.
FS: Lewis Baker - He's an undrafted free agent with some potential, but I certainly don't see sticking Mark Roman or Dashon Goldson in this spot.
SS: DJ Parker - Similar to Baker above, I don't see sticking Michael Lewis or Keith Lewis in this spot.
There's a back-up punter but that would just be ridiculous to talk about. Of course considering I just did an analysis of the bottom end of the roster pool, maybe I should have included Ricky Schmitt. I'd imagine this team would probably go 0-16. Although, I definitely think this would make for an impressive college team. So, would this team be able to win at the NFL level? Considering we're playing Miami this year, it's entirely possible 1-15 is a better bet.