The 49ers are back in action tomorrow night, wrapping up their preseason schedule with the San Diego Chargers. The team will make their final cuts Friday by 6:00 p.m. PT, so until then, we'll have this pre-game projection and then one final projection Friday morning.
I only made one change in this week's projection compared to last week's projection. Based on all the chatter about Anthony Dixon the last couple days, I've slotted him in over Rock Cartwright for now. I still don't know everything to make of the various comments, so consider this one of the final players on the roster.
One guy that is also teetering on the bubble at the bottom of the roster is Trenton Robinson. 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio indicated the third, fourth and potentially fifth safety options are up in the air at this point. Given the 49ers depth at cornerback, I think there's a good chance we see a lot more of Perrish Cox in the sixth DB role over guys like Robinson, C.J. Spillman, Michael Thomas or Darcel McBath. I've got Robinson and Spillman on the roster, but Robinson remains in the heat of a position battle.
So, what do you think of my projection? I've got the three backup defensive linemen (Dobbs, Tukuafu, Williams) slotted in, but it is still possible the team could try and slide Williams to the practice squad. I also went with three outside linebackers, but Dobbs leg injury could lead the team to temporarily keep a fourth OLB around.
For a slightly different look, check out Tre9er's projection over at SB Nation Bay Area from two days ago.
OFFENSE
QB (3): Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Josh Johnson
RB (5): Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, Brandon Jacobs, Anthony Dixon
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