The 49ers are two days away from their third preseason game, which means roster battles are tightening up. Each week the 49ers have been looking for ways to get creative with their roster. A couple days ago, Tre9er wrote about how Demarcus Dobbs numerous opportunities could very well lead to multiple players getting kicked to the curb. He has been working at tight end, but last game he got some time in as a situational pass rusher. He entered games as a defensive end when the 49ers went to a nickel, replacing Eric Bakhtiari in a role similar to what Aldon Smith did last year.
I decided to reflect that in my latest 53-man roster projection. Dobbs is making the roster no matter what, but there are other areas where the 49ers could decide to make adjustments. In this week's projection, I have removed Eric Bakhtiari as OLB and inserted Konrad Reuland as the third tight end. I like what Bakhtiari has done this preseason, but if the team removes him on pass rush downs this weekend, I'm just not sure if that means he'll be around in a couple weeks.
One person who remains firmly on the bubble is Mike Person. Right now it seems like Alex Boone is the primary backup at offensive tackle. If the 49ers were to lose both offensive tackles, it makes sense to have Person around. However, if the team loses both offensive tackles in a game, they would seem kind of screwed no matter what. Person has practice squad eligibility, and there's nothing to make me think he wouldn't be able to slide through waivers. Maybe the 49ers decide to stash him there and if they do deal with an offensive line injury, sign him of the practice squad?
OFFENSE
QB (3): Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Josh Johnson
RB (5): Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, Brandon Jacobs, Rock Cartwright
FB (1): Bruce Miller
WR (6): Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, Kyle Williams, A.J. Jenkins, Ted Ginn Jr.
TE (3): Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, Konrad Reuland
OT (3): Joe Staley, Anthony Davis, Mike Person
OG (4): Mike Iupati, Alex Boone, Leonard Davis, Joe Looney
C (2): Jonathan Goodwin, Daniel Kilgore
DEFENSE
DE (4): Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Demarcus Dobbs, Will Tukuafu
NT (3): Isaac Sopoaga, Ricky Jean Francois, Ian Williams
OLB (3): Ahmad Brooks, Aldon Smith, Parys Haralson
ILB (4): Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Larry Grant, Tavares Gooden
FS (2): Dashon Goldson, Trenton Robinson
SS (2): Donte Whitner, C.J. Spillman
CB (5): Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown, Chris Culliver, Perrish Cox, Tramaine Brock
SPECIAL TEAMS
K (1): David Akers
P (1): Andy Lee
LOS (1): Brian Jennings