2020 49ers Live Roster Cut Tracker: Analysis and Updates
Updating this article ASAP with every roster move, plus updates for the rest of the NFL as well! Who will Jimmy G throw to? Who will be chasing Russell Wilson? We find out.
San Francisco 49ers/YouTube
UPDATE: One of our best, Germinator, did well to find this gem:
Matt Barrows has been reporting that the 49ers were shopping Ahkello Witherspoon… so this is very interesting.
Update: The trade can happen after 4 PM roster deadline.
Update: JADEVEON CLOWNEY WATCH IS OVER. Clowney has signed with the Titans. Contract details incoming. Rejoice!
With nearly 3 hours remaining before cutdown deadline, the 49ers have made almost no new transactions, while the rest of the NFL goes into overdrive finalizing their Week 1 rosters. Outside of the latest news that the 49ers have reconstructed Dee Ford’s contract, something I mentioned as a possibility yesterday, there’s been almost no news. A key quality of this regime, their ability to prevent any leaks and keep everything in-house has been a blessing for fans that were sick of the Baalke/Harbaugh days, and a curse for content creators! I mean, we need something to write about! But the cuts will likely come in soon enough, so here is your official tracker - it will be updated with everything as it comes out. The tracker is right below, below that is analysis of said moves, and finally, further down will be a tracker for any notable league-wide transactions. The Final Roster tracker will have players names removed as cuts come in.
Live Cut Tracker
Cuts, Releases, and Waives
Jonathan Kongbo, DE - cut from IR with injury settlement
Jamar Taylor, CB - cut
Dakoda Shepley, OL - cut, intention to return to practice squad
Jauan Jennings, WR - waived, intention to return to practice squad
Josh Hokit, FB - waived, intention to return to practice squad
Evan Foster, S/LB - waived
Ross Reynolds, IOL - waived
JaMycal Hasty, RB - waived - per Barrows, intention to return to practice squad
Shawn Poindexter, WR - waived, will not return to practice squad
Joe Walker, LB - waived
Dion Jordan, DE - waived
Kevin White, WR - waived
Jonathan Cyprien, S - cut
Tim Harris, CB - cut
Dontae Johnson, CB - cut
Darrion Daniels, DL - cut
Hroniss Grasu, C - cut
Alex Barrett, DL - cut
Jared Mayden, S - cut
William Sweet, OL - cut
Chase Harrell, TE - cut
MarQueis Gray, TE - cut
Jaryd Jones-Smith, OL - cut
River Cracaft, WR - cut
Cameron Malveaux, DL - cut
Other Roster Transactions
Dee Ford, DE - reconstructed - saves $9.8 million in cap space this year
Tavon Austin, WR - placed on IR - knee injury
Richie James Jr, WR - placed on active roster - taken off NFI list
Ronald Blair, DE - will start on PUP list can be activated Week 6
Deebo Samuel, WR - activated off NFI list
Jullian Taylor, DL - will start on PUP List, can be activated Week 6
Kevin Givens, DL - made the active roster
Kentavius Street, DL - made the active roster
Jeff Wilson, RB - made the active roster
Mark Nzeocha, LB - made the active roster
Final Roster
Offense:
QB: Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, CJ Beathard
RB: Raheem Mostert, Jerick McKinnon, Tevin Coleman, Jeff Wilson Jr
FB: Kyle Juszczyk
TE: George Kittle, Jordan Reed, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner
WR: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Taylor, Kendrick Bourne, Dante Pettis, Richie James Jr
OL: Trent Williams, Mike McGlinchey, Laken Tomlinson, Weston Richburg (PUP), Daniel Brunskill, Ben Garland, Colton McKivitz, Tom Compton, Justin Skule
Defense:
DL: Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, DJ Jones, Solomon Thomas, Kentavius Street, Jullian Taylor (PUP), Kerry Hyder, Kevin Givens
LB: Fred Warner (COVID19), Kwon Alexander, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Mark Nzeocha, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
CB: Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon, K’Waun Williams
S: Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Tarvarius Moore, Marcell Harris
Special Teams:
K: Robbie Gould
P: Mitch Wishnowsky
LS: Kyle Nelson
Disclaimer: PUP do not count towards roster spots, including COVID-19.
Analysis:
Jamar Taylor - expected, but not exactly a no-brainer. Taylor had played well during camp as the slot CB with Williams out, but now that he has returned, it didn’t make sense for the Niners. The chances of Tim Harris and or Jonathan Cyprien making the roster go much higher with this cut.
Jonathan Kongbo - This was written on the walls - the 49ers were simply not going to keep an entire spot on the IR for a guy who was not that good in camp to start with.
Tavon Austin - interesting. This smells an awful lot like the previous IR stashes that Lynch has made before, but Austin had a knee injury that wasn’t disclosed till he was placed on IR. Austin was likely going to make the roster but the addition of Richie James Jr likely made it easier for Lynch to make this decision.
Richie James Jr - I honestly thought they would go the Austin route with James, and place him on season ending IR, while letting Austin get the final spot. His injury changes things, but this definitely spices up the battle at WR. James is very much good enough for a roster spot, but not playing at all during training camp will hurt him, especially if Shanahan keeps 6 WRs as normal. Someone like Jennings likely has an advantage on James, especially with Taylor, Pettis, and Aiyuk handling returning duties as well.
Dee Ford - Increasing dead money next year makes a possible out next year much weirder, but such are the things necessary to clear cap space. This money should be going to Trent Williams, without a doubt.
Dakoda Shepley - While expected, still sad. He was talented but did not have enough time in camp to prove himself. Wonder if he goes on the practice squad. The CFL product could have been a Brunskill type success story. Matt Maiocco has confirmed that if the 49ers offer Shepley a training camp spot, he will take it regardless of other offers.
Jauan Jennings - Wow. Not expected, but this sucks for Jennings. He left it all on the field. The fan favorite was having a good TC albeit with some mistakes, but that is expected for a rookie 7th round pick. I’d be shocked if the 49ers did not find someway to retain the physical former Tennessee Volunteer. Jennings confirmed it via his Instagram page. Matt Barrows is saying that because of the amount of WRs hitting waivers, Jennings likely slips through the cracks to get on the practice squad.
Josh Hokit - This was expected because of the fact that two FBs would be incredibly wasteful of precious roster spots, especially with our TE group’s versatility. Hokit impressed during training camp, he’s a tough runner and can catch. Looks like he is headed to the PS.
Ronald Blair - This is big for 2 reasons. One: his injury was worse than expected, as Shanahan had previously said that he would be ready Week 1. Two: Dion Jordan’s chance of making the roster just went up exponentially as one of the few true edge rushers we have for depth right now.
11:23 AM: Deebo Samuel - Great news. Activation means that Samuel likely plays Week 1, as Shanahan alluded to earlier. Per Matt Maiocco.
11:42 AM: Evan Foster - Expected but still sad. Foster was a damn good UDFA and he was playing well during camp, S/LB hybrid, and a hard hitter. Wonder if we see him on the squad, but there’s just too much talent to keep him on the 53.
11:58 AM: Ross Reynolds - Waived. He had a terrible bone bruise during camp, but Reynolds with the arrival of Grasu and other IOL help was likely not going to make it anyways. Tough break. Hopefully he can revert to IR or something else and can compete next year.
12:56 PM: JaMycal Hasty - Being waived is a tough break but he is easily talented enough to latch onto the practice squad or another team’s roster. Impressed during TC albeit with some fumbling issues, but he is super elusive and fast. Wonder if we see Matt Rhule, his former coach, pick him up to learn behind McCaffrey.
1:06 PM: Shawn Poindexter - Talented and big, Poindexter was playing well during camp, like many other players, but at the end of the day, too much talent on a Super Bowl roster. Looks like he won’t go to the PS, but he will be on standby if 49ers need help during season.
1:21 PM: Joe Walker - Walker filled in pretty well in light of LB injuries last season, but with Kwon fully healthy, this was likely going to happen. Chances of Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Azeez Al-Shaair making the roster increase tenfold, I really like DFF.
2:40 PM: Jeff Wilson - Wilson has been around for a couple of seasons. He didn’t get a lot of use last year, but has been effective overall when played, especially in the second Arizona game in 2019. He’s likely the number 4 RB.
2:44 PM: Mark Nzeocha - Not a huge surprise since he excels on special teams and can play as the SAM linebacker when needed. Special teams is very important when evaluating backups for Shanahan, and ST coordinator Richard Hightower was a big fan of Nzeocha.
3:15 PM: Bulk
Alex Barrett and Cameron Malveaux were expected cuts, was simply not good enough and did not show enough.
Jared Mayden hurts, talented hybrid S, might get a PS spot.
Kevin White is super talented, he feels like the perfect practice squad candidate. Played well in limited reps.
Dontae Johnson - only value is on ST, and we have guys there
Tim Harris Jr - played well, not well enough - young enough to get on PS
William Sweet and Jaryd Jones-Smith - I’d be surprised if one of them did not get on the PS. Jones-Smith played really well a couple times during TC.
Hroniss Grasu - was a flier, did not work out.
MarQueis Gray and Chase Harrell - both were camp guys, but Harrell is athletic enough and showed a lot. He could get a PS spot.
Dion Jordan was also expected. Talented guy, just did not show anything or play well at all during camp.
Jonathan Cyprien likely had the best shot at the roster, but at the end of the day, youth is valued and Harris has the upper hand. Harris also played very well during camp.
Around The NFL
Notable Cuts:
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Falcons
Hakeem Butler, WR, Cardinals
Adrian Colbert, S, Chiefs
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Cowboys
Adrian Peterson, RB, Washington
Josh Rosen, QB, Dolphins
Caleb Wilson, TE, Eagles
Lamar Miller, RB, Texans
Damarious Randall, S, Raiders
Prince Amukamara, CB, Raiders
Shaquem Griffin, LB, Seahawks
Taywan Taylor, WR, Browns
Sidney Jones, CB, Eagles
Paul Richardson, WR, Seahawks
Mario Edwards Jr, DE, Saints
Josh Dobbs, QB, Jaguars
Mohamed Sanu, WR, Patriots
Anthony Zettel, DE, Vikings
Robert Foster, WR, Bills
DeShaun Watson received a massive 4 year extension slated to pay him about $40 million per year. Not Mahomes money, still crazy money. Houston locks up their franchise QB.
Jadeveon Clowney was reportedly told to wait till after roster cuts to sign, as that could get him some extra money. He also fired his agent this morning. The Clowney saga continues. Update: He is expected to hire Kennard McGuire, the current agent for Duane Brown and the Seahawks DL coach.
Update: Clowney is expected to sign with the Titans as mentioned above.
Interesting note in this story --- says Clowney is expected to eventually hire Kennard McGuire, who is also listed as the agent for Duane Brown and Seahawks defensive line coach Clint Hurtt.Jadeveon Clowney fires Bus Cook, again; unlike last year, Clowney isn't expected to rehire him https://t.co/13OLvmvOU5
ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalkReuben Foster is being placed on season-ending IR once again, as he continues to rehab from that devastating ACL and PCL injury that caused nerve damage. Still rooting for him to turn his life on and off the field around.
Mitch Trubisky has been announced as the Bears starting QB for Week 1. His last chance.
11:25 AM - Big news - Chargers WR Keenan Allen has been given a 4 year, $80,000,000 extension that locks him up through 2024! He is now the 2nd highest-paid WR in the league.
12:23 AM - Las Vegas is sending Lynn Bowden Jr, their 3rd round pick, as well as a 6th round pick to Miami for a 4th round pick, via Ian Rapoport. Raiders giving up on an explosive RB/KR.
Bills CB Tre’Davious White has signed a massive extension that goes for 4 years, $70,000,000 with a whopping $55 million guaranteed. White is now the highest-paid corner in NFL history.
Everything in this article will be updated as information comes out, so the email alert won’t be the updated version. Open the article in a browser instead to get the latest news. Read our Fact and Fiction this morning, with Pat Holloway (yes that one), me, Shanafandom, and The Bourne Identity.
Leave a like and comment to support us if you like the article and our content, or if you have criticism, or simply for discussion. Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of an in-depth look into Jimmy Garoppolo, where we look at what his issues were last season. Take a look at our latest roster projection, and a in-depth look into the Kittle vs. Kelce argument.
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While Riqo is finishing up the edits/updates above: some of my early thoughts
Hyped about 4 TEs
I would have liked Cyprien over Marcell Harris. Hoping he comes back for the vet PS
Moore Ward are versatile, explaining only 5 CBs. At least for now. Tim Harris should come back for PS
Warner will replace DFF I think. Currently not on the roster because of the Covid list
Receivers are pretty much what I expected once it became clear James could play this season and Hurd got hurt
CJB won't leave
Wow. Laquon Treadwell ...
I seem to have hoped he would succeed ever since his Draft day ...
Cuts day makes me sadder each year. All these young good kids, going their hardest through preseason, only to not quite make it. So the road is longer for the few of them that still do/can.