San Francisco 49ers

Predicting Final Wave of 49ers Roster Cuts

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers 2016 preseason is in the books and after finishing with a 2-2 record, they must now cut down to 53 players to make the final roster. Niner Noise takes a shot at predicting which players will miss the cut.

The preseason is over and now comes the darkest day in the NFL for some players.

Final cut day.

While most players know their spot is set in stone, a large portion of players are currently waiting by the phone to see if their life-long dream will be realized. Making an NFL roster.

If all 32 teams could take 75 players into the regular season you better believe every team would. Coaches will likely not sleep for the next 24 hours trying to make some of the hardest decisions they will make all year.

Cutting 22 players to reach the NFL’s 53-man limit, players who have put in the blood, sweat and tears to get on an NFL roster.

With 22 cuts left to make, Niner Noise predicts which 49ers players will miss the cut for the 2016 NFL regular season.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers quarterback Christian Ponder (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback

Christian Ponder

San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly has always carried three quarterbacks into the regular season. This will remain the same in 2016, which makes newly acquired QB Christian Ponder the odd man out.

Although having two strong performances in the two preseason games Ponder played in, he will likely be cut in favor of rookie QB Jeff Driskel.

Driskel is coming off a dreadful performance in Week 4 of the preseason, however, against the San Diego Chargers in which he threw two interceptions.

The 49ers likely won’t give up on Driskel just yet and will carry him into the season leaving Ponder as the lone cut at QB.

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) runs the ball against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Texans won 24-13. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back

DuJuan Harris

Third-year running back DuJuan Harris has had himself an up and down preseason in which he has fumbled numerous times.

Harris has somewhat been overshadowed by second-year running back Mike Davis, who looks like a completely different player in 2016. Davis has shown some true play-making ability and has opened the eyes of not only the fans, but of his coaches.

This doesn’t bode well for Harris, who will likely be cut.

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Bryce Treggs (1) makes a catch in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receiver

Aaron Burbridge

DeAndre Smelter

Bryce Treggs

Ryan Whalen

Devon Cajuste

In what looks to be the position group that sees the largest cuts, the wide receivers have just not played to the expectations of the coaching staff.

It was possible that another name or two could have been added, but with the recent season ending injury to hopeful breakout candidate Bruce Ellington, others will fill his spot.

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There is one name on this list that will not make the 53-man roster but still remain on the team is DeAndre Smelter. Smelter who’s torn ACL suffered in 2014 while playing for Georgia Tech seems to still be lingering, look for the 49ers to either put him onto the PUP list or Injured Reserve list for the 2016 season.

The former Cal star, Bryce Treggs showed some talent during the preseason along with some versatility on special teams. Treggs was doing everything needed to make his case, but with the new addition in veteran Jeremy Kerley, who is a talented return man, likely will seal Treggs’ fate.

Rookies Burbridge and Cajuste have shown potential at times, but not enough to earn them a spot on the final roster for 2016. Look for the 49ers to try and keep both players for the practice squad.

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) looks to elude St. Louis Rams strong safety Maurice Alexander (31) after making a catch in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End

Je’Ron Hamm

Bruce Miller

Head coach Chip Kelly will keep three tight end’s with a fourth in Kyle Nelson, who is the team’s long snapper, as an emergency back up.

With the solid hands of both Garrett Celek, Vance McDonald and the athleticism of Blake Bell, this will leave Hamm and Miller as the odd men out.

Former fullback turned tight end Bruce Miller has generally been a mainstay on the 49ers offense since 2011. Miller has shown that he is struggling to keep up with the other tight ends, Miller has dropped a few open passes that could have extended drives.

Miller has shown to struggle in the blocking scheme as well and although he has great special teams ability, Miller will likely be cut due to cheaper options on special teams.

With the talent that Miller possesses, he will absolutely find a spot with another team’s 53-man roster. It seems though that with the position change, Miller’s time in San Francisco has come to an end.

October 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Marcus Martin (66) prepares to snap the football against Green Bay Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji (90) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

Alex Balducci

Colin Kelly

Marcus Martin

Norman Price

John Theus

What was considered a weak point in 2015, the offensive line has seen an influx of depth in 2016.

The much anticipated return of former Pro Bowl tackle Anthony Davis, free agent signing of former pro bowl guard Zane Beadles and the 2016 first-round selection guard Joshua Garnett have all come in and shown some fantastic play that will likely see all three players on the starting lineup.

This ultimately will leave the coaching staff with some easy decisions along the offensive line. Look for the 49ers to try and maintain John Theus and Marcus Martin on the practice squad.

Defensive Line

Demetrius Cherry

B.J. McBryde

Garrison Smith

The 49ers are loaded at the defensive line position. This will likely be the 49ers strongest position group during the 2016 season.

Key additions like the seventh overall selection in the 2016 NFL draft, DeForest Buckner and fifth-round selection Ronald Blair will certainly bolster an already strong front.

With a strong unit like the 49ers have, it means they will have to cut strong players. Smith has shown some excellent play throughout the preseason and the 49ers will look to keep him on the practice squad if he can clear waivers.

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Corey Lemonier (96) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Outside Linebacker

Corey Lemonier

In what became a preseason battle between Lemonier and pass rush specialist Marcus Rush, it was too much for Lemonier to overcome.

Marcus Rush has had one of the most productive stretch of preseason games than anyone else in the league, finishing with six sacks, one interception and a forced fumble in four games.

Rush has proven to be the more productive player and has made it very difficult for the 49ers coaching staff to let him go, making Lemonier a roster casualty.

With Lemonier’s talent, he will likely be picked up by another team.

October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) tackles Seattle Seahawks running back Fred Jackson (22) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Middle Linebacker

Michael Wilhoite

Nick Bellore

Fifth-year linebacker Michael Wilhoite played in every defensive snap against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night while linebackers Gerald Hodges and Ray-Ray Armstrong did not play.

This can only mean one thing, Wilhoite was being showcased for other teams to see because he will be cut.

Sixth-year linebacker Nick Bellore is a talented player with great instinct and a high motor. Bellore will likely be a roster casualty as they have the special teams contributors at other positions.

With Bellore’s special team versatility, look for him to sign on with another team.

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) at the line of scrimmage against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Marcus Cromartie (47) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Corner back

Marcus Cromartie

Prince Charles Iworah

With the depth the 49ers have at the corner back position, it leaves Cromartie and Iworah as the odd men out.

Neither have shown enough to surpass the players in front of them and with the amount of players the 49ers have at the position, they will make some cuts here.

The 49ers will try and keep Iworah on the practice squad for 2016.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of CBSsports.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.