Which players are locks to make the 49ers' 53-man roster?

Which players on the San Francisco 49ers are locks to make the rosters and which players are on the bubble?

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Kyle Shanahan noted that the 49ers may have more 53-man roster spots up for grabs this season than ever before. So, it brings the question, how many spots are up for grabs? Which players are you completely positive will make the roster, no matter what happens?

Quarterback (2):

Brock Purdy, Mac Jones

Jun 11, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Mac Jones (10) and Brock Purdy (13) work on passing drills during a team OTA at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

These two are obvious, and it is hard to see a third quarterback making the team. 

Running Back (4)

Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, Jordan James, Kyle Juszczyk 

Jul 24, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs a play from scrimmage during the second day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

This gets us up to 6 overall. Patrick Taylor and Corey Kiner may be fighting to get a fifth back on the roster. 

Wide Receiver (5, assuming Brandon Aiyuk stays on PUP)

Jul 24, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (in black hoodie) watches his teammates work out during the second day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins, Demarcus Robinson 

The 49ers will carry six wide receivers, but if Aiyuk is on the practice squad, the question becomes: Is it someone like Junior Bergen, Isaiah Neyor, or Equanimeous St. Brown?

Tight End (3) 

George Kittle, Luke Farrell, Ross Dwelley 

Jun 11, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) works on improving his grip strength during a team OTA at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

You could make a case for Dwelley not being a lock, but it is hard to say after the team went out to re-acquire him. We are up to 14 locks. 

Offensive Line (6)

Trent Williams, Colton McKivitz, Dominick Puni, Jake Brendel, Ben Bartch, Spencer Burford 

Jun 10, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive linemen Trent Williams (71), Nick Zakelj (63) and Ben Bartch (78) participate in a drill during an OTA at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

This gets us to 20 locks and starts some controversy. Nick Zakelj has been taking snaps with the starters, but could be pushed by Connor Colby as the summer goes on. Matt Hennessy still has to hold off Drake Nugent. Even Andre Dillard has not proven enough in his career to be a lock. The five week-one starters and Burford, who can play four positions, are the locks. 

Interior Defensive Line (3)

Alfred Collins, CJ West, Jordan Elliott 

Jul 24, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle CJ West (99) swats at a ball during a pass rushing drill on the second day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Kevin Givens, Evan Anderson, and Kalia Davis will be fighting for one, and maybe two spots. 

Edge Rusher (4)

Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Bryce Huff, Yetur Gross-Matos 

Jul 24, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) works on his pass rushing skills during the second day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Sam Okuayinonu is as close to a lock as you can get, and Robert Beal could be pushing for it as well. This gets us to 27 locks. 

Linebacker (4)

Fred Warner, Dee Winters, Nick Martin, Luke Gifford 

Jul 24, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters answers questions from reporters following the second day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Tatum Bethune could be a lock due to special teams, but they have enough competition to round out the depth chart that you do not know. 

Cornerback (5)

Renardo Green, Deommodore Lenoir, Tre Brown, Upton Stout, Darrell Luter

Jun 10, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) takes a break from drills during an OTA at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Luter is a lock because it is hard to see the other names stepping up to push him in this position. We are up to 36 locks.  

Safety (4)

Malik Mustapha, Richie Grant, Jason Pinnock, Ji’Ayir Brown

Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown (27) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mustapha may start the year on the PUP, but reports have been optimistic. If he does, Marques Sigle is a lock, but it is hard to say five safeties are a lock until we know more. 

When you add in that three specialists will make the roster, that gets us to 43 roster spots. 

There are ten spots open on the 53-man roster as this stands. One or two more skill players will make it. Two or three offensive linemen will make it. At least two more defensive linemen will make it, interior or edge, which gives us three more spots along the secondary or linebackers.