Way too early 53-man roster projection: Will every draft pick make the 49ers roster?

Quarterback (2) - Brock Purdy, Josh Dobbs

I'll take Brandon Allen to beat out Tanner Mordecai as the emergency quarterback, but that doesn't count as a roster spot.

There won't be any pitch counts or "plan" for Purdy this training camp. He'll hit the ground running and get a chance to build a rapport with his receivers— something he's likely already started.

Interestingly, this offseason marks a significant departure from the norm for the Niners. For the first time in what seems like an eternity, there's no quarterback controversy looming over the team, signaling a period of stability and focus on other areas of the roster.

Running backs (5) - Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, Elijah Mitchell, Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor Jr.

The 49ers kept five backs on their initial roster last season. I don't see that changing this season. The Jordan Mason dream might be over, at least as far as the active roster is concerned, barring injury.

Taylor was Green Bay's third-down back last season. He protected Jordan Love. Mason's lack of versatility in the passing game and inconsistency in pass pro leaves him off the roster—heartbroken emoji.

Mason and Mitchell enter the final years of their contract, which is another reason the team drafted Guerendo.

Wide receivers (6) - Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, Chris Conley

"You can't make the club from the tub."

Danny Gray was a third-round pick in 2022. It is 2024, and there is no tangible evidence that Gray deserves a roster spot outside his draft status. Ronnie Bell was a preseason fan favorite last year, but he doesn't do anything better than the rookie wideouts to warrant a spot.

That brings us to the sixth receiver. Conley is a special teams demon. Trent Taylor is insurance if Pearsall or Cowing isn't ready to return. I'm betting they will be, leading to Taylor's release prior to Week 1.

Tight end (4) - George Kittle, Eric Saubert, Cameron Latu, Mason Pline

Oddly enough, tight end was the most difficult projection on this side of the ball. Latu's spot on the roster is far from guaranteed:

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan on whether Cameron Latu will start the offseason as the backup TE:

"No. He hasn't been out here yet. We like guys to practice first."

— KP (@KP_Show) April 27, 2024

It's a huge training camp for Latu, as he must prove his value as a blocker or in the passing game. You are not drafting a tight end in the third round for his special teams value.

Brayden Willis, a seventh-round pick, Willis's size, or lack thereof, showed up when the 49ers needed him as a blocker — especially in the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs played nickel when he was on the field as a second tight end. The point of going 12 personnel (1 running back, 2 tight ends, and wide receivers) is to keep the defense in their base so you can dictate matchups.

That's why I have Willis off the roster and two 250+ pounders making it.

Offensive line (9) - Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Dominck Puni, Colton McKivitz, Jaylon Moore, Jon Feliciano, Spencer Burford, Brandon Parker

Brendel was the only center on the roster to begin last season, and I don't think that changes, even with the addition of Jarrett Kingston — who practiced at center during his USC days— and Drake Nugent as a UDFA. Feliciano has experience at center.

Parker and Moore are your swing tackles, while Burford is the swing interior lineman. I'll be curious to see if any players listed as backups get a legitimate shot to earn a starting spot.

Defensive line (8) - Nick Bosa, Maliek Collins, Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Jordan Elliott, Kevin Givens, Robert Beal Jr.

Not listing Arik Armstead or Javon Kinlaw here feels different. The Niners kept eight defensive linemen last year. It wouldn't be surprising if that number got as high as ten, but I went with eight as I don't believe Jackson is a lock.

The former second-rounder doesn't have the resume you'd want after two seasons. The roster's lack of edge-rushing options will help him make the final cut. But you're paying Gross-Matos to play a ton, so I'd rather continue to develop him and give YGM those snaps.

I'd expect Kalia Davis, T.Y. McGill, Evan Anderson, and Austin Bryant to make the practice squad.

Linebacker (6) - Fred Warner, De'Vondre Campbell, Ezekiel Turner, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune

This is under the expectation that Dre Greenlaw starts the season on the PUP list. Thanks to his coverage ability, Bethune gets the edge over last year's seventh-round pick, Jalen Graham. Graham is a thumper, but his lack of athleticism makes it hard to slot him over the other linebackers.

Not having Greenlaw would be a massive blow to the defense to begin the season, so hopefully, I'm wrong. Outside of Campbell, we're looking at players who are special teamers. Green Bay Packers fans would tell you Campbell fits that mold, too.

Cornerbacks (6) - Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Isaac Yiadom, Renardo Green, Darrell Luter Jr., Rock Ya-Sin

The Ambry Thomas experiment is over, although he should make the practice squad along with Samuel Womack. Yiadom and Ya-Sin's experience balances out the youth of Green and Luter Jr.

Isaiah Oliver falls under the addition-by-subtraction category, allowing Lenoir to focus on playing nickel. Green will likely cross-train at both spots.

Hot take: This group can be the strongest positional group on this side of the ball.

Safety (4) - Ji'Ayir Brown, Talanoa Hufanga, Malik Mustapha, George Odum

We're guessing here, but Hufanga returns healthy. Mustapha and Odum are on every special teams unit, while Brown takes a massive jump in Year 2 and turns into the playmaker the 49ers envisioned Ji'Ayir could be when they drafted him in 2023.

Special teams (3) - Jake Moody, Mitch Wishnowsky, Taybor Pepper

Nothing to add here. The Niners will have the same kicker, punter, and long snapper for the second year in a row.