Now health, the San Francisco 49ers have high expectations for the 2021 NFL season but who is going to make the cut for the 53-man roster?
The San Francisco 49ers made a huge trade before the NFL Draft, moving up nine spots to No. 3 overall to select quarterback Trey Lance. It’s likely only a matter of time before we see him at the helm of the offense. But for now, it remains Jimmy Garoppolo’s offense.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan made a lot of us into fools, allowing us to think the team was moving up in the 2021 NFL Draft to select Mac Jones. It was a tremendously well-hidden smoke screen, kudos to the entire San Francisco 49ers organization for hiding their Trey Lance interest.
Who else will join him as a member of the 53-man roster for the 2021 campaign? Let’s get into our final predictions.
San Francisco 49ers 53-man roster prediction for the 2021 season
Quarterbacks: Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance, Nate Sudfeld
Jimmy Garoppolo may begin the season as the San Francisco 49ers quarterback, but after spending the third overall pick on Trey Lance, the leash will likely be very short.
Running Backs: Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, Wayne Gallman II
Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk
As far as I am concerned Kyle Juszczyk is the best fullback in the NFL and it’s not close. At running back, Mostert is the familiar face but Trey Sermon has a lot of fans in Kyle Shanahan’s zone scheme and could thrive when he gets the chance.
Wide Receivers: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jalen Hurd, Nsimba Webster, Trent Sherfield, Jauan Jennings
Fans should be confident in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk as both players are dynamic, dangerous weapons when healthy. The depth at the wide receiver spot, however, is much less proven.
Tight Ends: George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner
George Kittle is simply the best tight end in the NFL. For as good Travis Kelce is, Kittle is as fantastic a blocker as he is a receiver, something the Chiefs star can’t necessarily say.
Offensive Line: Alex Mack, Trent Williams, Mike McGlinchey, Aaron Banks, Laken Tomlinson, Senio Kelemete, Daniel Brunskill, Jaylon Moore, Colton McKivitz
San Francisco locked up Trent Williams to a monster contract in free agency to retain him, then Shanahan brought back a favorite of his in Alex Mack. This group has some changes but should remain quality if healthy.
Defensive Line: Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, D.J. Jones, Javon Kinlaw, Dee Ford, Kentavius Street, Kevin Givens, Samson Ebukam, Jordan Willis (suspended), Zach Kerr
Getting healthy is the biggest key for this group as Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead returning will be huge. If Javon Kinlaw can make the next step, this unit could be dominant.
Linebackers: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Marcell Harris, Justin Hilliard, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Fred Warner is arguably the best linebacker in the NFL and the 49ers paid him as such. The big question is if Dre Greenlaw and the rest of the pieces can still thrive with Robert Saleh gone.
Cornerbacks: Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Ambry Thomas, Dontae Johnson
This unit has undergone quite a few changes but, if Jason Verrett stays on the field (not a given in his career), they can still be highly effective in the secondary.
Safeties: Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Tavon Wilson, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Talanoa Hufanga
Talanoa Hufanga could be an interesting piece as the rookie has turned heads in training camp. The rest of the group is solid if unspectacular veterans.
Specialists: Robbie Gould (K), Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Taybor Pepper (LS)
Robbie Gould has been a veteran presence that they hope will stay steady while Wishnowsky has proven to be an asset for the 49ers special teams.