Now that the 49ers 2011 preseason schedule is complete, the team will make their final roster cuts between now and early Saturday afternoon as they look to cut down to a 53-man roster. After last night's game, Coach Harbaugh mentioned how a lot of guys made decisions more difficult with their performance.
While that might be the case for whether to sign a guy to the practice squad, in going through a final 53-man roster projection, I just couldn't see any changes. Alex Joseph had a solid game yesterday but I think he had too far to come back and without first or early second string reps, it just wasn't going to happen. I'd argue my toughest remaining choice was whether Konrad Reuland or Nate Lawrie makes the team as the third tight end. Lawrie got second team snaps last night while Reuland came in later, but I still think Reuland is the pick.
I continue to believe Moran Norris makes the team. People might not like it, but considering he got the first team snaps early yesterday, I just don't see him getting cut. I could very well be wrong, but I'm not seeing it.
And Demarcus Dobbs remains on my 53-man roster after another strong performance. I was on the fence between Dobbs and Tukuafu heading into the Texans game, but Dobbs has brought a level of consistency that needs to be rewarded. I'm not sure where he'd fit into the rotation, but he's shown he can make some kind of legitimate impact. I'd say that would give the defensive line some solid depth heading into the season.
Head after the jump to view my final projection and feel free to criticize and offer up your own before cuts start coming down.
QB (3): Alex Smith, Josh McCown, Colin Kaepernick
RB (3): Frank Gore, Anthony Dixon, Kendall Hunter
FB (2): Moran Norris, Bruce Miller
TE (3): Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, Konrad Reuland
WR (5): Braylon Edwards, Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Kyle Williams, Ted Ginn
OT (3): Joe Staley, Anthony Davis, Alex Boone
OG (5): Mike Iupati, Chilo Rachal, Adam Snyder, Daniel Kilgore, Mike Person
C (1): Jonathan Goodwin
NT (2): Isaac Sopoaga, Ian Williams
DE (4): Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Ricky Jean Francois, Demarcus Dobbs
OLB (4): Aldon Smith, Parys Haralson, Ahmad Brooks, Antwan Applewhite
ILB (4): Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Larry Grant, Blake Costanzo
CB (6): Carlos Rogers, Shawntae Spencer, Tarell Brown, Chris Culliver, Phillip Adams, Tramaine Brock
S (5): Dashon Goldson, Donte Whitner, Reggie Smith, Madieu Williams, C.J. Spillman
K (1): David Akers
P (1): Andy Lee
LOS (1): Brian Jennings
Last Four On: Ted Ginn, C.J. Spillman, Phillip Adams, Moran Norris
First Four Off: Will Tukuafu, Curtis Taylor, Ronald Johnson, Dominique Zeigler