53-man roster prediction

QUARTERBACKS:
Colin Kaepernick
Blaine Gabbert
Josh Johnson

OFFENSIVE LINE:
Joe Staley
Mike Iupati
Daniel Kilgore
Joe Looney
Anthony Davis
Jonathan Martin
Marcus Martin
Adam Snyder
Carter Bykowski

RUNNING BACKS:
Frank Gore
Carlos Hyde
LaMichael James
Bruce Miller

WIDE RECEIVERS:
Michael Crabree
Anquan Boldin
Stevie Johnson
Brandon Lloyd
Quinton Patton
Bruce Ellington

TIGHT ENDS:
Vernon Davis
Vance McDonald

DEFENSIVE LINE:
Justin Smith
Ian Williams
Ray McDonald
Tank Carradine
Quinton Dial
Tony Jerod-Eddie
Demarcus Dobbs
Glenn Dorsey

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS:
Ahmad Brooks
Dan Skuta
Corey Lemonier
Aaron Lynch

INSIDE LINEBACKERS:
Patrick Willis
Michael Wilhoite
Chris Borland
Nick Moody

CORNERBACKS:
Tramaine Brock
Chris Culliver
Chris Cook
Dontae Johnson
Darryl Morris
Kenneth Acker

SAFETIES:
Eric Reid
Antoine Bethea
Jimmie Ward
Craig Dahl

SPECIALISTS:
Phil Dawson
Andy Lee
Kevin McDermott

This article has 73 Comments

  1. What are your thoughts on Morris over Perrish Cox? Is he just cheaper? Seems like we’d be weak in the slot with Morris and Ward.

  2. Why do you have Jimmie Ward listed as a Safety. Wouldn’t the nickel CB be listed as a CB?

    1. I was thinking the same thing.
      .
      But it seems he’s listed as a Safety in everyone’s final roster.
      .
      Wikipedia has him a CB though.
      .
      .
      .
      *ALOHA*

    1. 9 games is a nuke. (possible) silver lining… does Aldon count against the 53 man roster limit during the suspension?

      1. Brodie,

        No he doesn’t count on the roster until he’s activated from suspension. That’s why it’s so important that Goodell announce the punishment before the deadline tomorrow so the Niners don’t have to let another player go to keep him on the roster.

    2. More evidence that this commissioner is the worst and needs to be expunged from office. When trying to understand Goodell’s train of thought that this will encourage players to proactively seek help, because the NFL does not desire to punish, leaves the mind stranded at Cranium Station…..

    1. A bigger concern… I think playing is a stabilizing factor for Aldon. I hope he keeps it together the next several weeks and is ready for the NYG Nov 16.

    2. Be nice to get Aldon back by Denver.
      – Traveling to a high altitude
      – Short week after a Monday night game
      – vs track meet offense

      The 49ers can use all the pass rushers that can get their hands on.

  3. Grant,

    Not bad. I don’t see it quite that way but who knows?

    I think they keep Ventrone, or Osgood as a core ST player and I don’t see them keeping all 3 QB’s. Cox has already made the team imo so it will come down to Morris and Acker unless they keep them both as I hope they do.

    The OLine is really interesting as I think I would lean toward putting Marcus Martin on IR knowing I’ve got a couple of other players who can play Center. I don’t like the idea of leaving a roster spot open for two months hoping he can recover and then knowing he’s still a rookie when he does return.

    According to Barrows, Dorsey can’t be put on IR with a designation to return until Tuesday which means they have to waste a roster spot on him until then. I have no idea why that is the case. Stupid rule.

  4. I thought RG was going to take into consideration time left to go to rehab. What if he didnt do that it would have been the entire season? Seems like overkill
    How soon can this be appealed?

  5. Aldon’s gone for 9 games unless it’s reduced on appeal. That is extreme and continues to show a lack of consistency from the NFL head office in regards to dishing out punishment.

  6. I don’t think the team keeps three QBs or TEs. I also agree with Coach that the STs unit would definitely be weaker. And I don’t see a reason to keep James because Ellington and him do the same thing…only Ellington does it better. Here’s the alterations that I would make to your 53 man roster:
    Drop RB James and add RB Smith.
    Drop TE Carrier and add WR/ST Osgood.
    Drop DL Dobbs and add CB Cox.
    Drop CB Cook and add S/ST McCray.
    Change S Ward to CB/S Ward.

    1. I agree with you about dropping a TE. I don’t see them keeping 3. I also don’t see Patton or Johnson making this team. In two of those spots, I see McCray and Osgood. I think the team gets rid of James as well and tries to sneak Acker onto the PS.

  7. 9 games seems excessive. Sounds like Goodell wants to drop the hammer after he screwed up the Ray Rice suspension. Hopefully it’s reduced on appeal.

    1. There won’t be an appeal. This was a deal between the league and the team. It’s been suggested that Aldon gave up his right to appeal the sentence as part of the agreement.

    1. Nine games is a terrible joke! Completely Over Penalizing Aldon Smith and the 49ers because Goodell screwed up the Ray Rice punishment is just unbelievably effed up!!

      No way was Goodell going to throw out a random figure like nine weeks before he withered under the public backlash from under penalizing Rice. He added on 5 weeks just to try to compensate and now he looks like an even bigger MORON!

  8. If I wasn’t such an NFL Football addict I would turn away from it all in protest! But it sucks because there’s no way I can…

    1. NCAA football and even high school football are great alternatives. Give it a try. If the NFL keeps up with some of this stupid BS then I will try.

      1. Brad Seely will have a big job to do with this roster. Gone are (proven) special teams studs Ventrone, Osgood and Spillman.

        A gamble, but possibly worth it if Morris, Acker, Lloyd and Dobbs can contribute.

        I’d be sorely tempted to release/trade Dobbs/LMJ to bolster with a special teams player.

        1. Houston 9er.. sorry, my post was meant for the general discussion. As for High School games, they are great. They have a nice rhythm sans all the advertising stoppages.

    2. Bar None,
      I hear you.
      After all the belly-aching from me over this, I have to admit that I would say to the NFL; “I can’t quit you!” (lol)

      1. AES, Thanks for commiserating, Lol. Unfortunately for all NFL fans, a big part of the NFL’s ability to make hugely unpopular moves without concern for any significant backlash from their consumer base is their unbelievably addictive grip over that same consumer base. The NFL is just so wildly popular that it’s almost invulnerable to any form of customer protest or reaction. The NFL can pretty much do as it pleases, without fear of loss of control of it’s customer base. It’s funny but it’s true when you say “I can’t quit you”, that pretty much sums up a very real sentiment felt by millions of fans every time the NFL does something dumb and/or unpopular with all, or in Aldon’s case only some, of it’s core customer base.

  9. Im a die hard Niner fan. Die hard….but this is on Aldon, not Goodell. Aldon has acted like a complete fool off the field. Sucks not having the guy, but he made his bed…

    1. Brian,

      I know what you’re saying, but I can’t agree with it entirely. Sure, I Smith didn’t do the wrong things, this wouldn’t have happened, but that in no way absolves Goodell from handing down a crap ruling.

  10. Nice prediction Grant.

    A couple of changes for my prediction:

    – Keep only 2 QBs, with Josh Johnson missing out
    – Add another RB, either Smith or Winston, who would primarily play STs
    – Drop Acker for Cox (yes, they’ll likely lose Acker to another team, but such is life)

    I’m tempted to try and keep one of Ventrone or Osgood, but not sure who I’d drop to do so. It comes down to whether they would keep all 6 of those WRs or not.

  11. From Matt Barrows:

    “If I had to guess which players the 49ers might trade, Spillman and Dobbs would be at the top of my list.”

    I think they’ll be happy to take trade offers for Darryl Morris, Stevie Johnson and Quinton Patton too. And one of the backup QBs, but its hard to imagine anyone wanting to trade for Gabbert or Johnson.

  12. Im feeling certain they’ll carry 5 RB’s plus Lloyd doesn’t make the team initially but will be signed as an injury fill in if needed during the season.

  13. I can’t see them going with only 2 TE’s not including Dobbs. 3 at least.

  14. So Ben rothlesberger got suspended for 6 games, appealed and had it reduced to 4 games…..all because he raped a girl. What’s worse?????

    1. I looked up Roethlesberger’ case on Google and he was never charged with rape or any other offense. His suspension took place in April and RG promised him a chance for a reduced sentence if he cleaned up his act. A few months later his sentence was reduced to four games. His NFL punishment was for his pubic behavior, not for any criminal act. If the women were intimidated, they must have gone for a private settlement.

      1. Just because you pay her off doesn’t make it ok. Aldon fired guns at his house. He didn’t hurt anyone while drunk driving. Now I’m not condoning his actions but rape us rape and it looks a lot worse. It’s the good old boy system. You also forgot about his reckless driving and motorcycle accident. How many people did he put at risk? I hate this bs double standard.

  15. The host on the NFL Network’s “Total Access” is ignorant to the facts of what has happened with Aldon Smith. She made the comment that he apparently didn’t learn his lesson from his suspension last year. What!?, What suspension last year? And none of the dopes on the panel said a word to correct her. Apparently, neither did the director nor a producer. Does the entire NFL Network have their heads up their a$$es?

  16. They can’t carry 3 QBs. That’s a luxury they can’t afford. I’d much rather have Osgood than Gabbert. Osgood will make positive plays on ST every game; if Gabbert ever sees the field, good luck finding positives in his game. They’re paying the $2mm whatever they do, so it’s time to admit the mistake, cut him, eat the dead money, and keep the backup QB who played his butt off for two preseasons and whose athleticism would allow them to keep running plays they designed for Kaep.

    Here’s one thought about Gabbert: If the numbers game forces us to expose a promising young guy (Acker, for instance) and some other team really wants him and could use a backup QB, how about we trade Acker and Gabbert for some future 7th-rd pick (2016? 2017?). If any team would go for that, we’d essentially be giving up a promising young guy to keep another one with Gabbert’s roster spot while recouping his cap space. The catch is, would any team take Gabbert and his contract? Maybe the Rams?

  17. Other than Cox being dropped, the list makes sense. I am not a big fan of Dahl. Can’t Cox play safety to same level?

  18. I would like to see Kyle Nelson replace Kevin McDermott to add an option 3rd TE. But maybe he is not as good at LS spoiling that two for one idea.

  19. One back up QB would have been nice if one had unquestionably convinced. Seems a roster spot will be wasted on two questionable backups.

  20. Grant nice try but I really think you are off on a few areas:

    On your list that will not be on the team: QB Johnson, Morris, Bykowski, Lloyd, Dahl and James (Dahl and James are the two they will probably keep but I hope they don’t)

    Not on your list that WILL make the team:: Osgood, Spillman, Cox, Neeter, and I hope Winston and McCray for James and Dahl. I do not think Winston nor McCray will make the practice team…somebody will pick them up for sure and they have both been FANTASTIC rookies…

  21. Close Grant but no.

    Brandon Lloyd out Osgood in.

    Josh Johnson out Winston in.

    Good Special Teams players are more valuable than washed up receivers. Lloyd was only an insurance policy in the event that one of their top 3 receivers was hurt in camp. He’s gone.

    Unless they restructured Mcdonald’s contract to cut Gabbert, Harbaugh will lose the battle to keep Johnson over Gabbert due to the salary commitment. This will be a sticking point in his upcoming contract negotiation. He’ll want final say on the final 53 (Baalke final say on draft) moving forward.

    Winston will get a spot because he won’t clear waivers and the 49ers are a run heavy team that would be terribly thin at the position if either of their top 2 backs go down. Also, more long term, he looks like he could eventually compete to be an every down back and they will want to have a chance to keep him on the roster after Gore rides off into the sunset following this season.

    Don’t fret on the Aldon suspension Niner fans. This draft class is going to be VERY productive, especially if you count last year’s red shirts. Aldon out, Lynch and Carradine in. This team is ridiculously talented and deep. By the time Aldon comes back he’ll be fresh, in football shape (he still gets to practice and take part in team activities), and these young guys will be battle tested. Aldon needed the wakeup call. This is actually a blessing in disguise.

    If they get through the first 9 games no further than a game or two back in the division, with Aldon, Navarro, Martin, Dorsey all coming back, they will win the division.

    Go Niners!

  22. Not sure why Marcus Martin is counting against the roster when he is probably going on IR or at best the PUP list.

    1. Ah, nevermind, I see that we have to send people through waivers and hope to get them back due to IR rules. That stinks.

  23. I hope you’re right WRT 3 QB’s…not sure they’ll keep Bykowski, but if they don’t he’ll likely get picked up by somebody. They could opt to keep Seymour, instead. As soon as I heard Aldon’s suspension, I immediately thought it might give Chase Thomas a shot at the roster…not only a fine OLB who can rush the passer, he’s also a very good ST guy. Tough call Cox vs Morris…I’d take Cox who has more experience and can return kicks. Keeping only 2 TE’s could be risky…could be an option if they can stash one on PS they feel can help in case of injuries. WRT Aldon’s suspension, there is no appeal. Not sure if “good behavior” could result in a reduction.

  24. This is a wish list not an actual projection since Gabbert’s staying. I do have a thought on Grant’s projection, no way the 49ers keep just 2 TE’s. Look what happened when David went down with a concussion and Celek was hurt last year. They run so much stuff out of the 2 TE set it hinders play calling.

    QUARTERBACKS:
    Colin Kaepernick
    Josh Johnson

    OFFENSIVE LINE:
    Joe Staley
    Mike Iupati
    Daniel Kilgore
    Joe Looney
    Anthony Davis
    Jonathan Martin
    Marcus Martin
    Adam Snyder
    Carter Bykowski

    RUNNING BACKS:
    Frank Gore
    Carlos Hyde
    Winston
    Bruce Miller

    WIDE RECEIVERS:
    Michael Crabree
    Anquan Boldin
    Stevie Johnson
    Osgood
    Quinton Patton
    Bruce Ellington

    TIGHT ENDS:
    Vernon Davis
    Vance McDonald
    Derek Carrier

    DEFENSIVE LINE:
    Justin Smith
    Ian Williams
    Ray McDonald
    Tank Carradine
    Quinton Dial
    Tony Jerod-Eddie
    Demarcus Dobbs
    Glenn Dorsey

    OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS:
    Ahmad Brooks
    Dan Skuta
    Corey Lemonier
    Aaron Lynch

    INSIDE LINEBACKERS:
    Patrick Willis
    Michael Wilhoite
    Chris Borland
    Nick Moody

    CORNERBACKS:
    Tramaine Brock
    Chris Culliver
    Chris Cook
    Dontae Johnson
    Kenneth Acker
    Perrish Cox

    SAFETIES:
    Eric Reid
    Antoine Bethea
    Jimmie Ward
    McCray

    SPECIALISTS:
    Phil Dawson
    Andy Lee
    Kevin McDermott

    1. I can see your logic…
      Osgood over Lloyd a nod to special teams
      McCray over Spillman a nod to the value of dual roles
      Winston over LMJ a nod to function over draft position

  25. Three QB’s no bueno. They should take the money they save from Aldon’s no-pay suspension and release Gabbert. Best 2 million theywould ever spend. Josh Johnson or even T. Pryor would be better options then Gabbert.

  26. Adam Snyder cut. Surprised, but not surprised.

    The theme so far is shaving salary cap space anywhere Baalke can find it + a long term special teams refresh.

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