These aren’t your father’s 49ers.
But don’t worry, if your child, grandchild, niece or nephew was born in 2016, these aren’t their 49ers either.
On Saturday afternoon, San Francisco general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan unveiled the first edition of their 53-man regular season roster, and it’s abundantly clear the duo is determined to rebuild the franchise from scratch.
Veterans like wide receiver Jeremy Kerley and defensive tackle Quinton Dial have been jettisoned, and others like Ahmad Brooks and Vance McDonald were shipped away before the final cut. Shanahan arrived with the goal of implementing his own schemes, and if the 49ers’ initial 53-man roster proves anything, it’s that if a holdover from the Trent Baalke regime wasn’t an ideal fit for the new offensive and defensive systems, San Francisco didn’t have a need for that player.
The 49ers’ roster is loaded with new faces, undrafted rookies and young players determined to carve out an NFL career. Of course, Lynch and Shanahan’s roster won’t look that way forever, but in the initial stages of the rebuild, that’s the shape it has taken.
Quarterbacks (2): Brian Hoyer, C.J. Beathard
Cut: Matt Barkley, Nick Mullens
Analysis: Shanahan brought Hoyer in to be the starting quarterback, and as long as he stays healthy, the job is his. The preseason battle for the No. 2 job was settled after the 49ers chose Beathard over Barkley, and in the long run, Beathard has the potential to grow into more than just a backup. His ceiling is much higher than Barkley’s, and after showcasing poise and maturity in the preseason, Beathard made it easy for the 49ers to keep two quarterbacks.
Running Backs (3): Carlos Hyde, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert
Cut: Tim Hightower, Kapri Bibbs
Analysis: With Joe Williams headed to injured reserve, the 49ers may look to add a veteran with experience functioning in a zone-blocking scheme. Though Hyde wasn’t necessarily Shanahan’s first choice, the 49ers’ coaching staff sang his praises during the preseason, and he’s athletic enough to make it work in San Francisco’s offense. Expect Breida, the most impressive undrafted rookie the 49ers signed, to serve as Hyde’s backup and to steal carries as the season progresses. He could be a massive steal, or just a flash in the pan, because his sample size is still small.
Fullback (1): Kyle Juszczyk
Cut: Tyler McCloskey
Analysis: The 49ers were only keeping one fullback, and that one fullback promises to be a delight to watch. Juszczyk is more than just a blocker, he’s a versatile pass-catcher who can blow up defenders at the line of scrimmage or sneak out of the backfield on play-action fakes. He’s an asset, and he’ll be fun to keep track of.
Wide Receivers (6): Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson, Trent Taylor, Victor Bolden, Kendrick Bourne
Cut: Jeremy Kerley, Louis Murphy, DeAndre Smelter, DeAndre Carter
Analysis: Bolden’s return skills were too much to overlook, and both Taylor and Robinson proved they have the ability to thrive in the slot receiver role that Kerley held down last season. Kerley’s a nice asset to an offense, but he was never going to be a long-term starter in Shanahan’s offense, so the 49ers elected to cut ties with him and move forward with younger players who can gain valuable experience. Garcon and Goodwin are the best anchors than the 49ers’ wide receiver unit has had in a few years.
Tight ends (3): Garrett Celek, Logan Paulsen, George Kittle
Cut: Blake Bell, Cole Hikutini
Analysis: All three tight ends should receive a considerable amount of playing time, and all three are probably better fits for the 49ers’ scheme than McDonald was. Kittle can develop into a full-service option, while Paulsen is the big-bodied blocker the 49ers’ offense needs to help facilitate a successful rushing attack. This group doesn’t have can’t-miss athleticism, but there are some good pieces.
Offensive line (9): Joe Staley, Daniel Kilgore, Zane Beadles, Trent Brown, Brandon Fusco, Garry Gilliam, Erik Magnuson, John Theus, Laken Tomlinson
Cut: Tim Barnes, Andrew Gardner, Andrew Lauderdale, Norman Price, JP Flynn, Darrell Williams, Jr.
Analysis: The loss of Garnett is a blow to a unit that doesn’t have great depth, especially on the interior. If Tomlinson can maximize his potential with a change of scenery, this unit may be better than expected because Staley and Brown are such solid players at the tackle positions. But right now, there are still very real questions at the center and guard positions and those questions should be Shanahan’s primary concerns on offense.
Defensive line (7): Earl Mitchell, Arik Armstead, Ronald Blair III, DeForest Buckner, Tank Carradine, D.J. Jones, Solomon Thomas
Cut: Sen’Derrick Marks, Leger Douzable, Quinton Dial, Noble Nwachukwu
Analysis: Multiple reports have indicated the 49ers plan to place Blair on injured reserve on Sunday and pursue a veteran defensive lineman that’s a better fit for a 4-3 scheme than Dial was. Marks was a late addition to training camp who wasn’t in good enough shape, which is a disappointment because this unit is among the team’s deepest. If Armstead can come into his own at the 49ers’ LEO position, San Francisco has pieces like Buckner, Thomas and Carradine that appear capable of helping the team make a considerable improvement against the run.
Linebacker (9): NaVorro Bowman, Reuben Foster, Ray-Ray Armstrong, Brock Croyle, Eli Harold, Elvis Dumervil, Aaron Lynch, Pita Taumoepenu, Dekoda Watson
Cut: Shayne Skov, Austin Calitro
Analysis: Foster is as exciting as any young 49ers’ linebacker the team has had since Bowman and Patrick Willis came out of school, and he’ll have a chance to contend for a Defensive Rookie of the Year Award if he stays healthy. There’s not great depth at the three linebacker positions, but if the unit can stay healthy, there’s enough talent to get by. Dumervil could be in for a surprise season as a situational pass rusher.
Cornerback (5): Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser, K’Waun Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, Rashard Robinson
Cut: Will Davis, Asa Jackson, Prince Charles Iworah, Will Redmond
Analysis: The 49ers’ cornerback unit isn’t deep, but San Francisco is hoping that over time, Lynch and Shanahan are hopeful that a younger, more inexperienced group grows up on the job. Witherspoon was a third round draft choice who has yet to showcase the type of potential San Francisco thought he might have, and Robinson will be tested by every premier receiver in the league. It could benefit the franchise to add a veteran on a one-year deal, even if that doesn’t exactly fit the “build from the ground up” narrative the 49ers are trying to establish.
Safety (5): Eric Reid, Jaquiski Tartt, Lorenzo Jerome, Adrian Colbert, Jimmie Ward
Cut: Vinnie Sunseri
Analysis: Some analysts believe the 49ers would be best served moving Ward back to the cornerback position, both for his sake and the team’s, but at least right now, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh wants him at the back end of the defense in a single-high role. Saleh’s scheme has already benefited Reid, who thrived during the preseason playing closer to the line of scrimmage as an in-the-box defender. Jerome, an undrafted rookie, is an intriguing player who could be another post-draft steal, and Tartt figures to help San Francisco in dime packages.
Specialists (3): Robbie Gould, Bradley Pinion, Kyle Nelson
Cut: Nick Rose
Analysis: Rose didn’t beat out Gould, and well, there’s nothing else to see here. These jobs were established heading into training camp, and of course, no news is good news on the NFL special teams front.
Placed on season-ending injured reserve: WR Aaron Burbridge, OL Joshua Garnett, DL Chris Jones, DB Don Jones and RB Joe Williams