6 Bubble Players With Inside Track to Make the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are about one week away from the roster cut deadline. So, the shifting up and down the roster will be the most interesting moves to follow. Which players could be on the 53-man roster but are just barely hanging on the roster fringe?

San Francisco 49ers Bubble Players Most Likely to Make the 53-Man Roster

Kurtis Rourke

Rourke did not play in the second preseason game, but he played so well in his debut that the team might not want to leave him out there to be exposed to the waiver process. He is dealing with a rib injury, but unless the injury is long-term, the team might not want to put him on the injury list, because it will reduce how much he can practice, which would hurt his development.

So, if Rourke is healthy, he probably will have to make the 53-man roster.

Drake Nugent

Nugent was a practice squad lock coming into training camp, but now it is starting to look more like he is a roster lock. Brett Toth was signed to be the backup center, but he has not been healthy enough in the preseason to earn a spot.

Nugent has been listed ahead of him on the depth chart, and he has played well on 69 preseason snaps entering his third year in the system.

If Toth is not healthy, it is not a decision, but right now, even if Toth were healthy, Nugent would make it.

Austen Pleasants

Pleasants was expected to lose his job at swing tackle to Vederian Lowe. However, Lowe has been injured with an ankle all summer, and there is no indication he will begin practicing soon. It would take him a couple of weeks to get up to speed, so Pleasants has a good chance to make the team as the backup left tackle.

Enrique Cruz

Cruz has struggled in the preseason. Still, the fifth-round rookie was drafted as a project, so it was always going to take time. If Lowe is not healthy, the extra depth at tackle is needed, and his potential is worth keeping him away from the waiver process.

Sebastian Valdez

The second-year UDFA ran with the first-team next to Alfred Collins in both preseason games. He appears to be on the coaches' good side and should be considered inside the roster.

Siran Neal

The 49ers need a fourth safety. Neal has made the team as a depth cornerback, but he is mostly just a special teams option. If they still want him on special teams, they can make the position work.

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