SANTA CLARA — With their 23-21 loss Thursday night, the 49ers’ preseason is essentially wrapped up. The preseason finale featured just two projected 49ers starters, Reuben Foster and Solomon Thomas, leaving the last exhibition as the bubble players’ final chance to make a final impression.
Rosters will be trimmed to 53 players prior to 1 p.m. Sept. 1. Here is how we see the roster playing out.
Quarterback (2)
In: Jimmy Garoppolo, C.J. Beathard
Out: Nick Mullens, Jack Heneghan
Kyle Shanahan dispelled any doubts about C.J. Beathard losing his backup job to Nick Mullens after last Saturday’s 23-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Nick Mullens very hot and cold in extended playing time this preseason. He was partly responsible for four of San Francisco’s seven total touchdowns, but his performance never really mattered. He is likely headed to the practice squad for a second straight year.
Running back (5)
In: Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, Alfred Morris, Raheem Mostert, Kyle Juszyzck (FB)
Out: Joe Williams, Jeremy McNichols, Jeff Wilson, Malcolm Johnson (FB)
The 49ers had searched for a No. 3 running back to emerge behind Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida throughout training camp. That did not happen until they acquired veteran Alfred Morris more than two weeks ago. In his first preseason action of 2018, he rumbled 17 times for 84 yards last Saturday. He played just one drive Thursday, a result of Shanahan’s belief that Morris’ previous performance showed enough. His physical, between-the-tackles style contrasts with that of McKinnon and Breida. Morris’ omission from the roster would be very surprising. Raheem Mostert should be retained because he is the team’s top gunner on special teams. He ran five times for eight yards Thursday night, but his status was likely already determined.
Receiver (6)
In: Marquise Goodwin, Pierre Garcon, Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis, Kendrick Bourne, Richie James
Out: Aaron Burbridge, Aldrick Robinson, Steven Dunbar, Victor Bolden
The top-four are sure bets. Kendrick Bourne seems likely for a spot. The battle for the No. 6 spot, mainly featuring Aaron Burbridge and Richie James, has seemingly resulted in a clear winner as of late. James was San Francisco’s top receiver this preseason. He compiled seven catches for 80 yards Thursday night. The Middle Tennessee product was effective in the slot, out wide, and in punt returns, showing his quickness translates from Conference USA to the NFL. Burbridge is an excellent gunner, but he’s expendable, given that rookies Tarvarius Moore and D.J. Reed can play that role.
Tight end (3)
In: George Kittle, Garrett Celek, Cole Wick
Out: Cole Hikutini, Ross Dwelley, Wes Saxton
George Kittle and Garrett Celek are locks. The No. 3 tight end may not be on the current roster, however. Cole Hikutini started camp as the frontrunner, but he has struggled throughout the past two-plus weeks. Last Saturday, Hikutini dropped a touchdown with the first team. Cole Wick, his closest competition, later caught a ball on third down to extend a drive. Fast forward to Thursday night, and Hikutini dropped another perfect throw over the middle, though he drew a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct, wiping away the drop. Wick has made fewer errors and is a better blocker. He wins the job by default.
Offensive line (8)
In: Joe Staley, Laken Tomlinson, Weston Richburg, Mike McGlinchey, Mike Person, Joshua Garnett, Garry Gilliam, Erik Magnuson
Out: Jonathan Cooper, Darrell Williams, JP Flynn, Andrew Lauderdale, Pace Murphy, Coleman Shelton, Najee Toran, Chris Gonzalez
This group has been entrenched since guard Joshua Garnett returned from a knee injury two weeks ago and has played well ever since. Mike Person did not play Thursday night, deeming him the Week 1 starter for now. Garnett did, pancaking an opposing lineman on his first snap and playing well against Los Angeles’ backups. Garry Gilliam gives the 49ers depth at tackle behind starters Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey. It’s likely Erik Magnuson (hamstring) begins the season on injured reserve before returning several weeks into the season. With the logjam at guard, Jonathan Cooper is the odd man out. We predict the 49ers keep one fewer offensive lineman to make room for one additional defensive lineman, which is currently the bigger need.
Defensive line (10)
In: DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas, Earl Mitchell, Jeremiah Attaochu, Cassius Marsh, Sheldon Day, D.J. Jones, Jullian Taylor, Ronald Blair
Out: Niles Scott, Will Sutton, Chris Jones, *Kentavius Street (injured reserve)
Ronald Blair is the bubble player of this group. He helped himself Thursday night, producing a sack on his first snap, and being in the area for several other passing opportunities. Blair, a physical, sturdy pass rusher, gives the 49ers another edge option at either big end or LEO. With the absence of a truly game-changing edge rusher, more options is better. Jullian Taylor is a seventh-rounder who has played well this preseason at the big end spot. Sheldon Day and D.J. Jones have played themselves into potentially important roles in 2018. Jones could push nose tackle Earl Mitchell for the starting job. Fourth-round pick Kentavius Street was placed on the non-injury football list prior to training camp after suffering a torn ACL about three weeks before the 2018 NFL Draft.
Linebacker (6)
In: Malcolm Smith, Fred Warner, Brock Coyle, Mark Nzeocha, Dekoda Watson, Elijah lee
Out: Reuben Foster, Pita Taumoepenu, Korey Toomer
Reuben Foster will serve a two-game suspension to open the season for violating the league’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies. He will not appear on the initial 53-man roster, but his return preceding Week 3 could jettison one of the rotational linebackers.
We previously had Pita Taumoepenu making the 53-man roster over Elijah Lee, largely a result of supplying the outside linebacker spot with depth after Eli Harold’s departure. The linebacker spots are generally interchangeable, however, and the 49ers coaching staff would rather have the better player. Lee has emerged as that this preseason, including Thursday night. On one play in the third quarter, with the Chargers nearly backed into their end zone, Taumoepenu penetrated the backfield but could not bring down quarterback Cardale Jones. He threw the ball over the middle, and Lee was there to bat it away. Taumoepenu’s inability to finish sacks has been a recurring theme this preseason. Lee, however, has been consistent at the MIKE spot. He led the 49ers with five tackles Thursday.
Secondary (10)
In: Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, Adrian Colbert, Jaquiski Tartt, K’Waun Williams, Jimmie Ward, Tarvarius Moore, Greg Mabin, D.J. Reed, Tyvis Powell
Out: Marcell Harris, Tarvarus McFadden, Emmanuel Moseley, Antone Exum, Dexter McCoil
The 49ers released strong safety Chanceller James earlier this week, paving the way for (former) cornerback Tyvis Powell and rookie Marcell Harris to battle for the spot. Harris, who missed all of last season at Florida with a torn Achilles, did not play Thursday. Powell did, and he did nothing to hurt his chances. He made a tackle on special teams that prevented a potentially big punt return. Powell’s ability to play both cornerback and safety, the position he played at Ohio State, gives the coaching staff flexibility and helps consolidate the roster.
Cornerbacks Greg Mabin and Tarvarius Moore have consistently played with the second-team throughout the preseason. Reed has been very good, and he provides value on special teams, at nickel corner, free safety, and even cornerback, where he was a second-team All-American at Kansas State.
Specialist (3)
In: Robbie Gould, Bradley Pinion, Kyle Nelson
Out: Jeff Locke
There is little reason to believe punter lefty Jeff Locke has gained ground on Bradley Pinion, who enters a contract year, at punter. Robbie Gould, currently the fifth-most accurate kicker in NFL history, is coming off the best season of his career. He led the league with 39 makes and missed just twice. Kyle Nelson is the team’s lone long snapper.