One might think it will be hard for coach Kyle Shanahan to pick 53 players after watching his team get outscored 30-0 in the last three quarters of Saturday’s preseason opener against the Denver Broncos. As in, he might just stop at, say, 45.
But the San Francisco 49ers will have another couple of preseason games for untested and undrafted players to try to carve out spots for themselves. They can look to cornerback Chase Lucas, a practice squad player last year, and Sebastian Valdez, an undrafted rookie defensive tackle, as examples.
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Lucas had a pass breakup, forced a safety on a blitz and also had five solo tackles against the Broncos.
“He’s kind of our Energizer Bunny,” Shanahan said. “He was on the practice squad all last year doing it, helping on offense and defense. He’s had a hell of a camp, and I thought he did a hell of a job.”
Valdez is a 6-foot-3, 301-pound block of granite who benched pressed 225 pounds 34 times at his pro day at Washington. Niners offensive linemen respectfully call him “Hulk,” and Saturday, he pushed his way to half a sack and a tackle for a loss.
“I’d say he flashed the most (Saturday),” Shanahan said. “Just noticed him out there.”
Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur noticed some stuff as well, and here is their first stab at a 53-man roster projection:
Rookies in italics
Offense (25)
Quarterback (2): Brock Purdy, Mac Jones
Cut: Carter Bradley, Tanner Mordecai
IR: Kurtis Rourke
The 49ers put their money on Purdy. And Jones had a touchdown drive against the Broncos starters on Saturday, so Shanahan is pretty happy with his top two quarterbacks. Let’s never discuss the other two quarterbacks’ performances from that night again.
Brock Purdy
49ers
◂ Worse
Better ▸
Running back (5): Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor Jr., Jordan James, Kyle Juszczyk (fullback)
Cut: Corey Kiner, Ameer Abdullah, Jeff Wilson Jr.
McCaffrey’s return to health and being among the best players on the field has been the story of training camp. As for everybody else, the hope is that the walking wounded will be ready by the opener. Guerendo (shoulder) and James (finger) looked good before they went down, and the 49ers brought back old friend Wilson just in case. Taylor makes it for his special teams play.
Wide receiver (5): Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, Russell Gage, Jordan Watkins
PUP: Brandon Aiyuk
Likely suspended: Demarcus Robinson
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Cut: Junior Bergen, Terique Owens, Isaiah Hodgins, Robbie Chosen
Shanahan assured the masses again after the game that Jennings (calf) is really hurt and not just waiting for a new contract. We guess that is good news. Cowing could be back from a hamstring injury this week and will have a chance to hold off the rookie Watkins for a sizable role behind Jennings and Pearsall. Veterans Robinson and Gage have both had nice camps, which ought to give Shanahan some peace of mind with Aiyuk out until October.
Rookie Jordan Watkins had a 50-yard reception in the 49ers’ preseason opener on Saturday. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
Tight end (3): George Kittle, Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis
Cut: Jake Tonges, Ross Dwelley
Willis, Tonges and Dwelley are similar in that they can do a little of everything and are reliable in the pass game. Though we think Willis has stood out slightly in training camp, the winner might be whoever special teams coordinator Brant Boyer likes most.
Offensive line (10): Trent Williams, Ben Bartch, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, Colton McKivitz, Spencer Burford, Nick Zakelj, Austen Pleasants, Andre Dillard, Connor Colby
Cut: Isaiah Prince, Matt Hennessy, Drake Nugent, Drew Moss, Isaac Alarcon
While some may have doubts about this unit, the coaching staff felt strongly enough that there wasn’t really any competition for starting jobs. Bartch has stepped in for the departed Aaron Banks at left guard, and the staff is confident in the other three linemen improving as they flank future Hall of Fame left tackle Williams. The depth is shaky, but maybe Dillard, a 2019 Philadelphia Eagles first-round pick, can shore that up when he returns from an ankle injury this week.
Defense (25)
Defensive line (10): Mykel Williams, Jordan Elliott, Kalia Davis, Nick Bosa, Bryce Huff, C.J. West, Alfred Collins, Yetur Gross-Matos, Evan Anderson, Sebastian Valdez
Cut: Robert Beal Jr., Sam Okuayinonu, Jonathan Garvin, Jaylon Allen, Bruce Hector, Bradlee Anae
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IR: Kevin Givens
Could Beal make the squad ahead of Valdez or Anderson? It’s possible. He’s looked good over the past few days and also has been playing on the 49ers’ top special teams units. A recent groin injury, however, will be an obstacle.
Flashes from the rookie ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/0iQ1iDePb9
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 10, 2025
Linebacker (5): Fred Warner, Dee Winters, Nick Martin, Tatum Bethune, Luke Gifford
Cut: Chazz Surratt, Jalen Graham, Curtis Robinson, Stone Blanton
Warner and Winters are every-down players, which means the other four must be core special teamers. Gifford is especially strong in that department.
Cornerback (6): Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Dallis Flowers, Tre Brown, Upton Stout, Chase Lucas
Cut: Darrell Luter Jr., Jakob Robinson, Fabian Moreau
The player to watch at this position is Robinson, the undrafted rookie who’s been sticky in coverage. The 49ers tried to get D’Shawn Jamison, a cornerback with a similar pedigree, to the practice squad two years ago, and he was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.
Safety (4): Jason Pinnock, Ji’Ayir Brown, Richie Grant, Marques Sigle
Cut: Derrick Canteen, Jaylen Mahoney, Siran Neal
PUP: Malik Mustapha
Pinnock has a big lead at one of the starting safety spots. The other? It’s a three-man race among Brown, Grant and Sigle, who looked good in his NFL debut. Neal might merit consideration as a core special teamer. He was on all the main units on Saturday.
Special teams (3)
PK Jake Moody, P Thomas Morstead, LS Jon Weeks
There’s no competition at any of these spots, and Moody didn’t even attempt a field goal against the Broncos. He’s had mixed results in the 49ers’ next venue, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
(Top photo of Sebastian Valdez chasing Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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