49ers roster 2014: Way too early 53-man roster projection following 2014 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up the 2014 NFL Draft on Saturday, and have potentially added as many as seven undrafted free agents since then. The numbers are a little weird because that would give them 93 players on the roster. I suspect one of two things with regard to that: 1) Some of the UDFAs were invited for tryouts, and not signed to contracts, or 2) The 49ers will sign all 7 and release a couple guys currently on the roster. We'll see how that plays out.

In the meantime, I figured it is time to put together our absurdly early 53-man roster projection. This has only some small bearing in reality, but I figured it would give us our initial baseline 53-man roster. We'll produce one or two more before training camp, and then have a new one each week of the preseason.

In assessing the roster, I listed NaVorro Bowman on the PUP list, and Aldon Smith as suspended. It is entirely possible he does not get suspended, but I would be surprised if he does not sit at least a game or two. I'll adjust if that changes, but for now that opens up a roster spot.

I decided to project a practice squad as well. I included one of the UDFAs down there, but otherwise I have not included any of the other UDFAs. Shayne Skov will get a chance to compete at inside linebacker, but at this point I just don't see a roster spot for him.

I was able to get all 12 players on some aspect of the roster. 7 are on the 53-man roster, 3 are on the NFI list and 2 are on the practice squad. If it panned out like that heading into Week 1, I think that would speak well (at least in the early going) to the front office's work in the draft. It does not make this an A draft in the long-run, but it's a good early sign.

I did not include Kassim Osgood right off the bat because it would not surprise me to see the 49ers release him at the end of camp, and then sign him after Week 1. Due to his veteran status, if he is on the Week 1 roster, his salary becomes guaranteed for the year. If he is released and brought back after Week 1, the salary is not guaranteed. I figure there is a good chance of that happening, so I'm including that s one of my assumptions.

One of the more difficult positions to figure out is defensive line. The 49ers kept six players last year, but this year is a little more difficult to figure out. Demarcus Dobbs signed his RFA tender, and as I understand it, that is fully guaranteed. I'm not 100 percent positive, but if it is fully guaranteed, that would seem to make it more likely he sticks with the roster. The problem is you've got Tony Jerod-Eddie who seemed to climb ahead of him on the depth chart, and Quinton Dial will be back after missing the season due to his toe surgery. Would they really keep seven defensive linemen?

I'd imagine there are at least a few thoughts on this roster. I'll be happy to answer any questions in the comments.

QB (2): Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert
RB (4): Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Marcus Lattimore, Carlos Hyde
FB (2): Bruce Miller, Will Tukuafu
WR (5): Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, Stevie Johnson, Quinton Patton, Bruce Ellington
TE (3): Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek
OT (3): Joe Staley, Anthony Davis, Jonathan Martin
OG (3): Alex Boone, Mike Iupati, Joe Looney
C (2): Daniel Kilgore, Marcus Martin

DL (7): Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Glenn Dorsey, Ian Williams, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Demarcus Dobbs, Tank Carradine
OLB (4): Ahmad Brooks, Corey Lemonier, Aaron Lynch, Dan Skuta
ILB (4): Patrick Willis, Michael Wilhoite, Nick Moody, Chris Borland
CB (6): Tramaine Brock, Chris Culliver, Eric Wright, Jimmie Ward, Darryl Morris, Dontae Johnson
FS (2): Eric Reid, Craig Dahl
SS (3): Antoine Bethea, C.J. Spillman, Raymond Ventrone

K (1): Phil Dawson
P (1): Andy Lee
LOS (1): Kevin McDermott

Suspended (1): Aldon Smith
PUP (1): NaVorro Bowman
NFI (3): Trey Millard, Brandon Thomas, Keith Reaser

Practice Squad (8): OT Luke Marquardt, DL Lawrence Okoye, QB Kory Faulkner, DL Kaleb Ramsey, CB Kenneth Acker, OG Ryan Seymour, WR Chuck Jacobs, OT Carter Bykowski

Here is the current full roster, not including undrafted free agents that are still somewhat unofficial.