49ers announce initial 2021 53- man roster

Posted By on August 31, 2021

San Francisco 49ers running back Wayne Gallman (22) in action during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)

The 49ers have announced their initial 53-man roster for the 2021 season.


Quarterback (2): Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance


It was clear once the team released Josh Rosen that they would only carry two quarterbacks on the active roster. Nate Sudfeld will likely be signed to the practice squad.


Running Back (5): Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon (R), Elijah Mitchell (R), JaMycal Hasty, Kyle Juszczyk


JaMycal Hasty led the NFC in preseason rushing yards, 176 and touchdowns, 3. This performance was enough to earn the final spot among running backs over Wayne Gallman.


Wide Receiver (6): Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Sherfield, Mohamed Sanu, Jauan Jennings, Jalen Hurd


Entering training camp most figured Trent Sherfield might have a shot to sneak onto the roster due to his prowess on special teams. The free-agent acquisition from the Arizona Cardinals ended up being the third-best receiver in camp and became a lock for a roster spot.


Jalen Hurd appeared to be on the bubble due to injury. The third-year receiver was able to make it through the final week of practice and the final preseason game healthy and is now in line to take part in the first regular season game of his career.


Tight End (3): George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner


A couple of surprises here as the 49ers usually go into the season with four tight ends on their roster and the release of MyCole Pruitt who had a $500,000 guarantee. Known primarily for his blocking, injuries early in training camp ultimately held Pruitt back and the role went to Woerner.


Offensive Line (8): Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Alex Mack, Daniel Brunksill, Mike McGlinchey, Aaron Banks (R), Jaylon Moore (R), Tom Compton


Did not see Tom Compton making the final roster although he has the ability to play both guard and center. The 49ers really need Jaylon Moore to step up and keep Compton off the field.


While Alex Mack is the only center, Brunskill showed that he can be a solid backup if necessary. San Francisco hopes to avoid having the middle of their offensive line resemble a game of musical chairs for the second season in a row.


Defensive Line (11): Samson Ebukam, Dee Ford, Kevin Givens, Arik Armstead, Zach Kerr, D.J. Jones, Kentavius Street, Maurice Hurst, Nick Bosa, Arden Key, Javon Kinlaw


The 49ers may have the deepest defensive line group in the NFL. Among the names not listed on the active roster is Jordan Willis. The defensive end will be on the Reserve/Suspended list for the first six weeks due to violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.


Linebacker (5): Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Marcell Harris, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles


Warner, Greenlaw, and Al-Shaair all started for the 49ers in 2020. Marcell Harris and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles are both former safeties that have transitioned to new positions. Both should contribute to special teams.


Defensive Back (10): Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Ambry Thomas (R), Deommodore Lenoir (R), Davontae Harris, Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmie Ward, Talanoa Hufanga (R), Tavon Wilson


Although they are rookies, Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir will be the primary backups at cornerback, with Lenoir also backing up Williams in the slot. The 49ers claimed Harris from the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month. He made one start for Baltimore in 2020.


If he can remain healthy, Jaquiski Tartt will join Jimmie Ward as starters at safety. Tavon Wilson is a veteran special teams contributor and that will also be the primary role for Hufanga to start the season.


Specialists (3): Robbie Gould, Mitch Wishnowsky, Taybor Pepper


No surprises here. Pepper has drawn high praise from special teams coordinator Richard Hightower for his snapping ability while Gould and Wishnowsky provide a veteran presence.


Jack Hammer is a lifelong 49ers fan who shares insights on the team and leads the discussion on all football and team topics. Follow Jack on Twitter @JackHammer_NFL and subscribe to his YouTube Channel, YouTube.com/c/JackHammer49.

This article has 18 Comments

  2. ShanaLynch’s best 53-man roster to date.

    Hasty and Sermon must have made great strides in blitz pickup to allow Gallman to be cut.

  3. I was hoping Jordan Matthews would make the team as a converted TE. I always liked that guy.

  4. There are 6 veteran spots on the PS along with 10 less experienced players. Galliman will be signed but I think they will be able to sign pretty much anyone else they want back. My predictions are.
    Josh Hokit
    River Cracraft
    Corbin Kaufusi
    Jake Brendel
    Alfredo Gutierrez
    Alex Barrett
    Justin Hillard
    Jared Mayden
    Vets
    Eddie Yarbrough (could be claimed)
    Darrion Daniels
    Dontae Johnson
    Nate Sudfeld
    Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
    Travis Benjamin

  6. Nice breakdown Jack.

    Given how shaky Thomas has looked, and given Harris is something of a STs ace at gunner, I wouldn’t be surprised if Thomas starts the year inactive. Unless Verrett’s injury is worse than believed.

    1. Thank you, Scooter. You could be right there. Should be interesting to see how much this roster changes before week 1.

      1. I know Ward is the starting free safety, but it seems like the depth at safety is good. Would you agree that Ward might wind up playing CB if Verrett or Mosely get injured?

        1. I don’t. Ward will line up in the slot from time to time, but that is nothing new. They’ve been doing that with him for a while.

  7. Nice breakdown. I look at this list and it sure seems like teams would be well served if active rosters were expanded. It’s nice that Practice Squads have been expanded and vets are now eligible. Still going thru the process to cut a player you really want to keep and then hoping he clears waivers seems unnecessary. I know the NFL wants to minimize game salaries but they are a multiple billion dollar enterprise and these bottom of the roster guys would have minimal impact on overall profitability. I look at Jordan Matthews and think that guy could be a great add to the roster to allow him to develop at a new position. Now the 49ers have to cut him and hope he clears waivers so he can develop his TE skill set on the PS. Really makes no sense to me. Why put the man through the pain of being cut and then the hardship on his family if he is claimed off waivers for a team in some other state. Seems like a really hard way to live and it’s totally unnecessary.

    1. I know the NFL wants to minimize game salaries but they are a multiple billion dollar enterprise and these bottom of the roster guys would have minimal impact on overall profitability.

      Though I don’t agree much with a “1.6 Patriot”, I do here. The top 15 NFL owners have collective net worth of $90 billion. Another million or two payroll at the bottom of the roster would by like us losing a nickle or so out of our pockets. Why they lowball their most high profile investment is a mystery to me.

    2. have to cut him and hope he clears waivers so he can develop his TE skill set on the PS. Really makes no sense to me. Why put the man through the pain of being cut and then the hardship on his family if he is claimed off waivers for a team in some other state. Seems like a really hard way to live and it’s totally unnecessary.

      I agree with this.

  8. Matthews is on the Practice Squad.

    Nick Wagoner
    @nwagoner

    #49ers signed 13 to practice squad:DL Alex Barrett, WR Travis Benjamin, WR River Cracraft, DL Darrion Daniels, OL Alfredo Gutierrez, FB Josh Hokit, OL Corbin Kaufusi, OL Senio Kelemete, TE Jordan Matthews, S Jared Mayden, OL Colton McKivitz, QB Nate Sudfeld, LB Elijah Sullivan.

Comments are closed.