We are just a few days removed from the 2016 NFL Draft, with rookie minicamp kicking off in two days. So naturally we need an irrationally early 53-man roster projection. The 49ers 90-man roster is likely to change a little bit between now and training camp, but the bulk of it is settled. That means we can figure out how the roster looks, and what it might mean for the regular season.
We haven't had rookie minicamp, OTAs, or the mandatory minicamp in June. Suffice to say, plenty of this is going to change. I went out on a limb at a few positions. I think the 49ers either trade or release Antoine Bethea. Tony Jerod-Eddie is a guy who has been a solid option, but the addition of Buckner and Blair just seems to be a sign the team is going to replace him. Mike Purcell faces a tough task earning a roster spot, but if Williams is not 100 percent, it really opens things up for Purcell.
I have 10 of the 49ers 11 draft picks on the roster, which might be a bit optimistic. Prince Charles Iworah is the only one not included, but given his crazy meaureables, I see him as a likely practice squad candidate. Kelvin Taylor faces a tough competition at running back. I left Jarryd Hayne on the roster. I could see DuJuan Harris beating him out, but I'll give Hayne the benefit of the doubt for now.
QB (3): Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick, Jeff Driskel
RB (4): Carlos Hyde, Mike Davis, Jarryd Hayne, Kelvin Taylor
FB (1): Bruce Miller (playing TE, too)
WR (6): Torrey Smith, Quinton Patton, Bruce Ellington, Eric Rogers, DeAndre Smelter, Aaron Burbridge
TE (3): Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Blake Bell
OT (4): Joe Staley, Trenton Brown, Fahn Cooper, John Theus
OG (3): Zane Beadles, Joshua Garnett, Andrew Tiller
C (2): Daniel Kilgore, Marcus Martin
DL (7): Quinton Dial, Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Mike Purcell, Ronald Blair, Glenn Dorsey, Ian Williams
OLB (4): Aaron Lynch, Ahmad Brooks, Eli Harold, Tank Carradine
ILB (4): NaVorro Bowman, Gerald Hodges, Michael Wilhoite, Nick Bellore
CB (5): Tramaine Brock, Dontae Johnson, Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson, Keith Reaser
FS (3): Eric Reid, Jimmie Ward, L.J. McCray
SS (1): Jaquiski Tartt
K (1): Phil Dawson
P (1): Bradley Pinion
LS (1): Kyle Nelson
Last four on: Jarryd Hayne, Aaron Burbridge, Jeff Driskel, Kelvin Taylor
First four off: Antoine Bethea, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Kenneth Acker, DuJuan Harris
Potentially PUP/NFI candidates: Ian Williams, Glenn Dorsey, Will Redmond