49ers Training Camp Roster Preview
All 49ers players have reported to training camp.
A week ago, I wrote an article about 49ers storylines to track going into training camp.
We discussed position battles, starting spots available, roster fringe, and a 53 man roster prediction.
Since then, there have been a few, less notable, moves made to the roster.
I am updating them in my personal depth chart, which you can see displayed below.
Red = known injury coming into camp
Grey = personal roster lock
As you can see, I have listed some personal "roster locks" above, as discussed in the previous article as well.
What we will go through today is each position group on the 49ers, and what I believe their status is as we enter training camp.
Before we begin, allow me to define what the NFL Practice Squad is:
16 players are on the practice squad.
6 of these players can be veterans with an infinite amount of years under their belt.
10 of these players must have 2 or fewer accrued NFL seasons. For a season to count, you must be on the roster for 6 games of a season.
Here are my categories:
Roster Lock - for one reason or another, I do not see a world where this player is not on the 53 man roster come Week 1. Whether for ability or contract, they are a lock in my eyes.
Roster Fringe - players on the edge of the roster, who will likely have to win their spot to make the 53. A handful will definitely make it, some will be released. Those released will likely be a priority to add to the practice squad, but may be too good and get picked up while on waivers.
Practice Squad Candidate - beyond the roster fringe in my eyes. They could make the team, but the path is not as clear as the fringe guys, or they simply have not shown that they are as talented. The top contenders to be added to the practice squad
Cut Candidate - someone is is beyond the fringe of the roster, they have a very low chance of making the team. More of a training camp body, someone to take on reps. They could potentially find their way on to the practice squad, but are more than likely not a priority.
Injury - a player who is currently on an injured list, whether PUP or NFI or Reserve/Injured.
Quarterback:
Brock Purdy - Roster Lock
He's the starting QB.
Mac Jones - Roster Lock
If a training camp injury occurs to a notable starting QB around the NFL, I'm sure the 49ers would get trade calls for Jones. But the scenario in which Jones is not on the 49ers to start the year is low.
Kurtis Rourke - Roster Fringe
The 2025 rookie was on the NFI list all of his rookie year, taking extra time to rehab from his ACL surgery. The 49ers often keep 3 QBs and drafted Rourke for a reason. I'm sure they want him to make the team, but won't keep a 3rd stringer if he isn't up to snuff.
Adrian Martinez - Roster Fringe
Martinez spent the majority of 2025 with San Francisco and was up on the active roster for a good chunk of games. As stated, the 49ers could keep 3 QBs. I think there will be a legitimate battle for QB3 in the preseason.
And if the 49ers keep just Purdy and Jones, they'll hope they can keep one, if not both, of Rourke and Martinez on the practice squad. But they are both candidates to be picked up by someone else.
Running Back:
Christian McCaffrey - Roster Lock
Superstar RB will be making the team.
Jordan James - Roster Lock
The 2025 5th round pick saw his only carries in the postseason, but has a chance to be RB2 this season.
Kaelon Black - Roster Lock
The 90th pick of this years' draft will make the team and will fight for the RB2 role behind CMC.
Isaac Guerendo - Injured (PUP)
After a good rookie season in 2024, Guerendo did not see an offensive snap in 2025. He now has a torn pec. His odds were low to make the roster to begin with, and now he won't be able to participate in training camp. Guerendo's best bet is probably to sit the entire season and get ready for 2026.
Patrick Taylor Jr - Roster Fringe
Taylor spent 2024 with the 49ers, with touching the ball 42 times and contributing on special teams. He spent 2025 on IR. I expect him to get a shot to make the roster through his special teams ability, but it will depend on who else can step up in the third phase of the game. If nobody does, Taylor can get a spot.
Sincere McCormick - Cut Candidate
McCormick spent his rookie year with the Raiders, but was released prior to the 2025 season. The 49ers signed him to the practice squad, but McCormick ended up bouncing around 4 organizations. He's already been signed and cut by San Francisco this offseason. Training camp body.
Fullback:
Kyle Juszczyk - Roster Lock
The only FB on the roster to start training camp,
Wide Receiver:
Mike Evans - Roster Lock
Signed a nice contract this offseason to be the true X in this offense.
Ricky Pearsall - Roster Lock
I believe the 2024 1st round pick is primed for a breakout if he stays healthy.
De'Zhaun Stribling - Roster Lock
The 33rd overall pick of this years draft is making the team, with his role TBD.
Christian Kirk - Roster Fringe
Kirk was signed to a 1 year deal this offseason had just $2.78m guaranteed. I expect him to make the team but it is no lock with the current WR room.
Demarcus Robinson - Roster Fringe
Robinson came up clutch for San Francisco in the Wild Card round and is on the second year of a 2 year deal. He has $2m guaranteed remaining, but his spot is not guaranteed.
Jordan Watkins - Roster Fringe
I expect the year two WR to make the squad, but he rarely played in 2025 due to injuries pushing him down the depth chart. He also has not played special teams.
Jacob Cowing - Roster Fringe
Cowing spent all of 2025 on the injured list due to a hamstring issue. He also did not have a role in 2024, outside of a few punt returns. He'll be fighting for a spot.
Junior Bergen - Practice Squad Candidate
Bergen was a 7th round draft pick in 2025, selected for his return ability. He was cut last August and spent the season on the practice squad.
Malik Turner - Practice Squad Candidate
The 30 year old has subtly become a mainstay in the 49ers building. Turner was in SF in 2022 before getting picked off the practice squad and spending the next year and a half bouncing around other organizations. Turner was on PS/IR in 2024 and appeared in 3 games in 2025. He's a veteran who can contribute on special teams and can be elevated on game days.
Colton Dowell - Cut Candidate
2023 7th rounder with 1 career catch is a camp body who just signed with SF. Maybe he can show enough to take up a practice squad spot.
Wesley Grimes - Practice Squad Candidate
A 2026 UDFA who stands at 6'2, 193lbs. Grimes had 430 yards and 3 TDs at NC State in 2025.
Will Pauling - Practice Squad Candidate
A 2026 UDFA who stands at 5'9, 183lbs. Pauling had 381 yards and 6 TDs at Notre Dame in 2025. He and Grimes should see enough preseason reps to fight for their spot on the practice squad.
Tight End:
George Kittle - Injured (PUP)
Kittle tore his achilles in the Wild Card round, but has made incredible progress and projects to be ready for Week 1.
Jake Tonges - Roster Lock
Tonges signed a 2 year deal this offseason after a breakout 34 reception season.
Luke Farrell - Roster Lock
Farrell is entering year two of a 3 year, $15m deal. There is little competition behind him.
Brayden Willis - Practice Squad Candidate
Willis has played 23 games over his 3 years on the 49ers, but he has not cracked the 53 man roster to start the last two seasons. He also has not recorded a career catch. With the guys above him, I expect it to remain the same.
Hayden Rucci - Practice Squad Candidate
San Francisco signed Rucci this offseason, a 2023 UDFA who has 81 career snaps. Unlike Willis, I believe Rucci still qualifies for a non-veteran practice squad spot.
Tanner McLachlan - Practice Squad Candidate
A former Bengals 6th round pick who has 22 career snaps was signed this week by the 49ers. Another non-veteran who could provide TE depth on P-Squad.
Offensive Tackle:
Trent Williams - Roster Lock
The future Hall of Famer enters Year 17!
Colton McKivitz - Roster Lock
An elite developmental story, McKivitz enters Year 6 with SF.
Vederian Lowe - Roster Lock
Lowe signed a 2 year deal with SF this offseason to be their swing tackle. Lowe's started 25 games for New England over the last 3 seasons.
Austen Pleasants - Roster Fringe
Pleasents has been a 49er since late 2024, and gave the 49ers two decent performances late in 2025. He was no Trent Williams, so the drop off was still steep, but he proved to be a decent backup tackle. However, Lowe is locked into the swing tackle role, and teams do not always keep 4 OTs on the active roster. However, I do believe Pleasants can play his way onto the 49ers.
Enrique Cruz Jr - Roster Fringe
There is a lot of offensive lineman who have a shot to make this roster. Cruz, this years' 6th round pick, seems to be on the outside. But I also believe that if a rookie the 49ers liked enough to draft plays well in the preseason, they won't release him to waivers. It does seem ideal for Cruz to be on the practice squad, but there is no guarantee he gets there if released.
Brandon Parker - Cut Candidate
Parker has been back and forth with the 49ers since 2024, so he could still land on the practice squad. But with the additional tackle depth acquired this offseason, he seems to be nothing more than a camp body.
Isaac Alarcon - Cut Candidate
Entering Year 3 with San Francisco, I see Alarcon in the same situation as Brandon Parker.
Offensive Guard:
Dominick Puni - Roster Lock
A staple on the 49ers offensive line the last two years, he's locked in to the RG spot.
Connor Colby - Roster Fringe
The 2025 7th round pick started 6 games at LG last season. I would expect him to make the roster, but the 49ers have given themselves options across the interior.
Robert Jones - Roster Fringe
Jones started 17 games for Miami in 2024, but missed 2025 with a neck issue. A veteran with experience in the scheme, he has a chance to start, but also could get bounced off the roster by younger players.
Carver Willis - Roster Lock
A 4th round pick this year, Willis will kick inside to guard after starting at both tackle spots in college.
Nick Zakelj - Practice Squad Candidate
Zaklej would be a veteran practice squadder after spending the first 3 years of his career on the 53 man roster. He was on the P-Sqaud last year. Hypothetically, Zakelj has the ability to play all 5 spots, but we've only ever seen him at guard. The extra depth nullifies Zakelj's versatility.
Center:
Jake Brendel - Roster Lock
Brendel has started 66 out of the last 68 games at center for San Francisco.
Brett Toth - Roster Fringe
I expect Toth to make the roster, but his contract was just a fully guaranteed minimum deal. It's possible a younger player pushes him out.
Drake Nugent - Practice Squad Candidate
A UDFA out of Michigan in 2024, Nugent spent the first two seasons of his career on the 49ers' practice squad. I expect this to be the outcome once again.
Defensive Tackle:
Osa Odighizuwa - Roster Lock
A 3rd round pick was moved for Odighizuwa this offseason, who has 3 years left on his deal.
Alfred Collins - Injured (PUP)
Collins suffered an injury in the final game of the season that required surgery. He should be back during training camp, according to John Lynch.
C.J. West - Roster Lock
A 4th rounder in 2025, West had a decent rookie season. He will have a rotational role on the interior.
Gracen Halton - Roster Lock
A 4th round pick out of Oklahoma in this years' draft, Halton should see a role as a rookie.
Kevin Givens - Roster Fringe
Givens, a UDFA in 2019 who has spent 7 years in SF, was just re-signed. His ability to make the 53 man roster will likely depend on how the 49ers want to structure their defensive front. It would not surprise me if they only kept four guys, with some DEs having the ability to play inside.
Sebastian Valdez - Practice Squad Candidate
The practice squad is where Valdez lived last season, a UDFA out of Washington. Again, it will be an uphill battle to make the 53 with the construction of the defensive line.
James Thompson Jr. - Practice Squad Candidate
A UDFA out of Illinois, Thompson played 6 years in college. He received $280k guaranteed, a fairly high number for a UDFA.
Bryson Eason - Practice Squad Candidate
Eason is a UDFA out of Tennessee, where he was for 6 years. He received over $270k guaranteed. He and Thompson were coveted UDFAs, but that does not exactly increase their odds to make the roster.
Defensive End:
Nick Bosa - Roster Lock
Coming off another ACL tear, Bosa is healthy to start camp.
Mykel Williams - Injured (PUP)
Williams tore his ACL in Week 9. John Lynch said he could return for Week 1, but there is no guarantee.
Sam Okuayinonu - Roster Lock
Okuayinonu has been with the 49ers since 2024 and started 12 games last season. The lack of competition brought in makes me believe the 49ers are confident in Okuayinonu as a solid rotational piece.
Romello Height - Roster Lock
Perhaps not a "defensive end," but whatever. Height was the 70th pick in this years' draft and will play a role as a pass rusher this season.
Keion White - Roster Lock
I would be surprised if White does not make the roster. Staff speaks highly of him, and he was arguably the best performing DE once he arrived last season.
Cameron Sample - Roster Fringe
With some guys being banged up, and Sample being able to play on the edge and inside, he could sneak his way onto the 53 man. The 49ers would love to stash Sample on the PS.
Mikail Kamara - Practice Squad Candidate
The UDFA had 12 sacks in his two years at Indiana, but received just $50,000 guaranteed. He has nice pass rushing upside, but is smaller. Seems like a guy SF would want to keep around.
Andrew Farmer - Cut Candidate
Farmer spent the second half of 2025 on the 49ers practice squad. He's headed into Year 4 of being in the NFL, and could make it through to the SF practice squad.
William Bradley-King - Cut Candidate
Bradley-King is entering his second year with the 49ers and 6th in the NFL. Again, similar to Farmer, he could make the practice squad, but probably is not a priority to keep there. Both are camp bodies.
Linebacker:
Fred Warner - Roster Lock
After missing a game for the first in his NFL career with a dislocated ankle, Warner is back.
Dre Greenlaw - Roster Lock
One year after departing for Denver, Greenlaw is back and projected to start alongside Warner.
Luke Gifford - Roster Lock
Gifford re-signed for 2 years. He's a special teams ace who can give some snaps at LB.
Jaden Dugger - Roster Lock
The 2026 5th round pick should have no problem making the team. It's a question of what role will Dugger play with his freakish size.
Tatum Bethune - Roster Lock
Perhaps saying Bethune is a lock is a bit generous, but he's clearly the preferred backup MIKE to Warner, where Bethune gave the 49ers 8 starts in 2025.
Nick Martin - Roster Fringe
I personally like Martin, after the 2025 3rd round pick saw just 7 games as a rookie and his season ended with a bad concussion. But there are undoubtedly players who above him on the priority list.
Garret Wallow - Roster Fringe
Wallow showed up in December and played well for the 49ers. He's a special teamer, but gave SF a pair of solid games at WILL. His special teams specifically could keep him on the roster, but with Gifford already locked in, it seems more likely Wallow's best shot at contributing will be through the practice squad.
Jalen Graham - Practice Squad Candidate
Graham has been a practice squadder the last two seasons, mostly contributing via special teams. I believe he still qualifies as a non-veteran, which probably increases his chances of sticking around.
Larry Worth III - Practice Squad Candidate
Just 21 years old, Worth is a UDFA out of Arkansas. He was signed after a rookie tryout in May. He's a bit slender for an NFL LB, so the practice squad could be a good route for Worth.
Cornerback:
Deommodore Lenoir - Roster Lock
Lenoir is entering the second year of a five year deal. He's CB1.
Upton Stout - Roster Lock
Stout came in as a rookie and was a fantastic slot CB. He may even see an increased role.
Renardo Green - Roster Lock
There have been rumbling of Green getting moved, but that's all buzz. Green is quite a talented cover corner and should see a full-time starting role once again.
Nate Hobbs - Roster Lock
I initially did not have Hobbs as a lock, but the veteran CB received over $3m guaranteed from SF. Even as a backup, Hobbs can be utilized by new DC Raheem Morris.
Ephesians Prysock - Roster Lock
A 4th rounder this year, Prysock is a long CB who will benefit from sitting as a rookie.
Darrell Luter Jr - Roster Fringe
Luter has played a role the last 3 seasons for San Francisco, mostly on special teams, although he did see 3 starts in 2025. The offseason additions may push Luter off the roster, but the coaching staff has lauded his special teams and run stopping ability throughout his career. He is clearly well liked.
Jack Jones - Roster Fringe
An intriguing addition, I'm sure Jones will get to compete for a spot. But his lack of special teams history likely disadvantages him when he's on the back end of the roster.
Siran Neal - Roster Fringe
Neal is in year two of the two year deal he signed last offseason. Neal was apart of the 49ers effort to improve their special teams, which was successful. But with multiple additions, is his special teams ability enough to hang on to his spot?
Eli Apple - Cut Candidate
Apple arrived in SF last season, and alternated between the practice squad and active roster. He could very well be a practice squad candidate, if the 49ers want a veteran option with real experience down there. You could say the same about Jack Jones as well.
Jakob Robinson - Practice Squad Candidate
Robinson was undrafted out of BYU in 2025 and spent all season on IR. It appears like a longshot to make the roster, especially with all of the slot CB options the 49ers have. But considering the 49ers kind of stashed him last season, I assume they want to keep him around.
Safety:
Malik Mustapaha - Roster Lock
The third year safety appears to be the only set starter at safety at the moment.
Ji'Ayir Brown - Roster Lock
Brown saw 13 starts each of the past two seasons, can play in the box, and plays on special teams. He'll make the team, it's just a matter of if he is starting or not.
Marques Sigle - Roster Lock
A 5th rounder in 2025, Sigle started immediately as a rookie. He lost that role after 7 weeks, but contributed plenty on special teams and has an intriguing skillset with his speed.
Ashtyn Davis - Roster Fringe
Davis is the obvious option if the 49ers want to keep four safeties, as the 6th year veteran has plenty of experience, including 12 starts last season in Miami. Davis has the special teams ability as well, boosting his odds to make the roster.
Derrick Canteen - Practice Squad Candidate
A 2025 UDFA, Canteen was a practice squad player as a rookie. He will fight for that role again in the preseason.
Jalen Stroman - Practice Squad Candidate
Stroman was a UDFA this year out of Notre Dame, where he played the final season of his 5 year college career. He saw $60,000 guaranteed when he signed.
Patrick McMorris - Cut Candidate
A 2024 6th round pick, McMorris has 105 career snaps. I would consider him a camp body.
Darrick Forrest - Injured
Forrest has an undisclosed injury and will likely spend the season on IR.
Special Teams:
Eddy Pineiro - Roster Lock
Kicker Eddy Pineiro was elite for San Francisco in 2025 and signed a 4 year deal contract in March.
Jon Weeks - Roster Lock
The 40 year old long snapper enters Year 17 and was a Pro Bowler last season.
Corliss Waitman - Roster Fringe
Waitman is a veteran punter who has posted good numbers in the past. He'll battle to be the starter.
Jack Bouwmeester - Roster Fringe
The Australian Bouwmeester is a UDFA who spent 7 years in college, including 3 years at Utah. Remind you of anyone, 49ers fans?
There you have it, the entire roster broken down into five categories.
Here is how many guys are in each group:
Roster Lock - 39 (not counting Kittle, Williams, Collins)
Roster Fringe - 22 (not counting Guerendo)
Practice Squad Candidate - 18
Cut Candidate - 8
Injury - 4
That comes out to 91. And Darrick Forrest does not count towards the roster.
Let me know if you think I categorized a player wrong, and who you are looking forward to watching as the season approaches!
Stay tuned for more NFL and 49ers articles, news, and opinions!
Comments