49ers Practice Squad Projection Ahead of Roster Cuts

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With less than a week to go until roster cutdowns, the San Francisco 49ers will have their practice squad set in the next week as well. Based on where things stand with one preseason game to go, who is setting themselves up to make the practice squad?
San Francisco 49ers Practice Squad Candidates?
Quarterback
Kurtis Rourke appears to have two options: making the roster or being placed on an injured list. Unless they find a better option, Martinez will be their PS candidate.
Running back
Sincere McCormick has been the best running back among all of their depth options. They do not appear to have another good option.
Wide Receiver
This likely comes down to four players for two spots. Will Pauling appears to be ahead of Wesley Grimes as the top UDFA on the roster. However, Khadarel Hodge against Trenton Irwin for the final spot might be the most underrated storyline of the third preseason game.
Tight End
Hayden Rucci or Brayden Willis are locks if they do not make the 53-man roster. Right now it appears Willis has a slight edge. The question is whether Josiah Deguara or freshly signed Khalil Dinkins makes it as well.
Tackle
If one of Enrique Cruz or Austen Pleasants does not make the 53-man roster, they are locks. However, the injury status of Vederian Lowe makes both of them more likely to stick. So, this spot should go to Brandon Parker, who has run with the second team in the preseason.
Interior Offensive Line
Whoever loses the backup center battle between Brett Toth and Drake Nugent should circle back to the practice squad. Long-standing practice squad candidate Nick Zakelj is in the mix at guard. Isaac Alarcon makes it as a 17th player due to an international exemption.
Interior Defensive Line
Whoever does not make the team between Sebastian Valdez, James Thompson, and Bryson Eason will be priority practice squad adds.
Edge rusher
Ogbo Okoronkwo is a great PS option. He is a veteran coming off of an injury with familiarity of the coaching staff. It is him or Quinton Bell.
Linebacker
If Tatum Bethune does not make the roster, he is a priority addition. Otherwise, it would likely be rookie UDFA Larry Worth.
Cornerback
Jakob Robinson is a great PS option. As long as Darell Luter does not get calls from other teams, he should be a PS player.
Safety
Rookie UDFA Jalen Stroman seems like the smart choice over veteran Ashtyn Davis.
Practice Squad Projection
- Adrian Martinez
- Sincere McCormick
- Khadarel Hodge/Trenton Irwin
- Will Pauling
- Hayden Rucci
- Khalil Dinkins
- Brandon Parker
- Brett Toth/Drake Nugent
- Nick Zakelj
- James Thompson
- Bryson Eason
- Ogbo Okoronkwo
- Tatum Bethune/Larry Worth
- Jakob Robinson
- Darrell Luter
- Jalen Stroman
- Isaac Alarcon
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Parker Hurley is a Pittsburgh native and IUP alumni with a deep-rooted passion for football and a decade of experience analyzing the game. Since 2016, he had extensively covered the Chicago Bears, serving as the site manager for Bear Goggles On from 2017 to 2023. During that time, Parker published hundreds of articles per month and led content strategy across written, audio, and video formats. Parker has also produced podcasts, blogs, and YouTube content focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL betting trends, and league-wide analysis. His work blends film breakdowns, statistical insight, and timely news reaction to deliver clear, actionable content for fans and bettors alike. Now, Parker contributes NFL coverage across multiple platforms, expanding his scope to include teams like the San Francisco 49ers and broader NFL narratives. Whether he’s analyzing rookie development or evaluating playoff contenders, Parker’s top priority is helping readers understand the game on a deeper level. He brings passion, clarity, and consistency to everything he writes, always aiming to educate, engage, and elevate the football conversation.
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