San Francisco 49ers pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction

The San Francisco 49ers will have to cut their rosters
down to 53 players on September 4.
(Samuel Lam/Examiner.com)

With rookies reporting to training camp tomorrow and veterans following the next day, I'm going to throw out my 53-man roster prediction.

These predictions are based upon what I saw during OTAs and mini-camp in June.

Offense

QB: Alex Smith, David Carr, Nate Davis (3)
RB: Frank Gore, Glen Coffee, Anthony Dixon, Michael Robinson (4)
FB: Moran Norris, Brit Miller (2)
WR: Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Ted Ginn, Jason Hill, Kyle Williams (5)
TE: Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, Nate Byham (3)
OL: Joe Staley, Chilo Rachal, Eric Heitmann, David Baas, Adam Snyder, Anthony Davis, Mike Iupati, Barry Sims, Tony Wragge (9)

• No surprises at quarterback.
• Running back Jehuu Caulcrick has to do something amazing to make the roster, but it will be hard when the team has already invested in Anthony Dixon and Glen Coffee. Robinson will continue to be a valuable leader on special teams.
• Fullback Brit Miller will still have a lot to learn as a fullback and should see a majority of his playing time on special teams.
• Wide receiver Brandon Jones looks to be the odd man out. After suffering injuries this off-season and last year, and struggling to find any sort of consistency, he could be on his way out. Ted Ginn looks to have more roles in the offense and Kyle Williams will be valuable to special teams.
• The 49ers are looking for a blocking tight end and they are hoping that Nate Byham is the answer. Joe Jon Finley and Tony Curtis could also make the roster, but I'm giving Byham the leg up (but not by much) at this point.
• The offensive line features the two first round picks and veterans from last year's team. I would keep an eye out for Alex Boone.

Defense

DL: Justin Smith, Aubrayo Franklin, Isaac Sopoaga, Ray McDonald, Ricky Jean-Francois, Kentwan Balmer, Demetric Evans (7)
LB: Patrick Willis, Parys Haralson, Manny Lawson, Takeo Spikes, Ahmad Brooks, Scott McKillop, Diyral Briggs, Navorro Bowman (8)
DB: Shawntae Spencer, Nate Clements, Dashon Goldson, Michael Lewis, Taylor Mays, Tarell Brown, Reggie Smith, Curtis Taylor, Karl Paymah (9)

• No changes from last year's defensive line.
• The linebackers are loaded, but it means that we could see a lot of Diyral Briggs and Navorro Bowman on special teams. Briggs has looked better at OTAs, but will need to work his way in. Ahmad Brooks is also on the rise and might see extended playing time this season.
• Nate Clements was impressive during mini-camp and should maintain his starting role with Shawntae Spencer. Karl Paymah was the only newly acquired cornerback that really stood out to me.
• Rookie Phillip Adams is still very raw and still has a lot to learn. Will James had missed a lot of action so it's hard to find a spot for him.
• I don't see Taylor Mays receiving any major roles this season, but his talent is too good to leave on a practice squad. He'll serve as a backup.

Special Teams

K: Joe Nedney (1)
P: Andy Lee (1)
LS: Brian Jennings (1)

• Kicker Shane Andrus hopes to make the team but unless Joe Nedney gets injured, the place kicker spot is set.
• Return specialist LeRoy Vann struggled a little with returning kicks during OTAs but has been working on it during the off-season. He has to be very impressive during the preseason to make the roster.

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