49ers 2020 Official Roster: Evaluating and Grading Positional Groups

Beginning a one week countdown to the regular season - grading each position group, from Jimmy G to Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.

Sep 07, 2020

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Well! Cut-day is over, and we now know the full roster and practice squad of the 2020-21 49ers. What a ride! With less than a week remaining, this is surreal that through all the adversity this team has faced and heartbreak in February, that they are ready to go even with all the terrible stuff going on in the world. On that note, for any that are near the wildfires - stay safe! We hope you guys are doing well.

Naturally, now that the roster is completed, we need to go through and evaluate each position. This is a Super Bowl roster, the defense may take a step back but the offense will most definitely take a step forward, and it should be fun to watch under the most brilliant offensive mind in the NFL, Kyle Shanahan.

Before you begin, make sure to check out the official roster of the 49ers with analysis from the FTN staff, and a corresponding official practice squad article.

Offense

Quarterback: Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard - A-

While I’m disappointed that once again, a roster spot was used on a 3rd QB, in these trying times, an extra QB may be necessary with the most unprecedented season in history approaching. Garoppolo looks to again take a step forward in his 2nd full season under Kyle Shanahan. It’s been almost 3 years since Jimmy G arrived, and some of the best 49ers success has followed in his footsteps. Need I remind you: Matt Ryan in his 2nd season with Kyle Shanahan had an MVP campaign. Jimmy G now enters his 2nd season, with the best TE in the NFL by his side, his favorite 3rd down target returning in Trent Taylor, a dynamic and explosive WR entering the fray in Brandon Aiyuk, and of course, arguably the best OT in football, Trent Williams. This offense will be good, but not because of the supporting cast - Garoppolo is set to have his best season as a pro, his mobility will return as he is now almost 2 years removed from his devastating ACL tear. The question is: can he take that extra step to go from a good QB to an elite one? I think so. When diving into the stats, Garoppolo does not look very good at all, but he brings the most important thing: wins. Here’s hoping for a big step up. Nick Mullens has a case for a top 5 backup QB in the league - but he will likely be traded at some point because of his restricted free agency next season.

Running Back: Raheem Mostert, Jerick McKinnon, Tevin Coleman, Jeff Wilson Jr - B+

Jerick McKinnon’s return has massive implications for this entire offense - he’s one of the few RBs who can beat a corner one-on-one, one of the best RBs in the pass game, both blocking and receiving, and he’s an explosive runner. Mostert will start as the RB1, and likely keep it for half the season, but don’t be surprised if you see Kyle opt to start McKinnon at some point: there’s an entire playbook dedicated to the versatility that McKinnon provides, especially in combo with Juszczyk, Kittle, and Deebo. Beyond that, Jeff Wilson is a good short yardage back who can catch, and Tevin Coleman is the consistent one - if there’s any doubt at this position, Shanahan can always rely on Coleman to do his job.

Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk - A+

Easily the best FB in the league, Juice has made a living being a jack-of-all-trades, one of the best non-OL blockers in the league and obviously his impact on the passing game is unmatched as well. Key part of this offense, and arguably one of the last of a dying breed.

Tight End: George Kittle, Jordan Reed, Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley - A+

This is the best TE group in the league, no question. Kittle is on track to be a hall-of-famer, adding a dangerous in-line TE like Reed to backup Kittle feels like cheating. When Reed is healthy, he is a top 5 TE in the league, so there’s an argument that.. the 49ers have two of the 5 best TEs in the league including the best. Woerner is an outstanding blocker with soft hands, and Dwelley filled in admirably for Kittle last season. Arguably the best group on the roster.

Offensive Line: Trent Williams, Mike McGlinchey, Weston Richburg, Laken Tomlinson, Daniel Brunskill - B

Adding the best tackle in the league and the best fit for this scheme to an already good o-line is again, almost like cheating. Joe Staley’s retirement stings, but Williams coming in is an upgrade, which is hard to believe over a future HOFer in Staley. McGlinchey is one of the best young tackles in the league, and according to PFF, maybe the best run-blocker at tackle, and Richburg if he regains his previous form can be a top 5 center in the league. This position group seems weak, but it is a bet by Shanahan: Can his guys regain form? Brunskill and Tomlinson anchor the guard group, but Brunskill has the brightest future although Laken is no slouch.

Wide Receiver: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Taylor, Kendrick Bourne, Dante Pettis, Richie James Jr - B

Aiyuk will be the #1 WR - all you need to know: Shanalynch has never drafted a skill position in the 1st, leave alone trading up for one and considering him where Kinlaw was picked. Samuel, one of the best rookie WRs and YAC king will anchor a WR corps that is very young but very talented. If Pettis regains form, it would be massive as he and Jimmy had a connection before Jimmy was injured 2 years ago. Trent Taylor, obviously, will help on 3rd downs, and Kendrick Bourne is the grittiest WR here, he’s tough and works hard and that’s gotten him this far. This lot is talented, it just depends on if they can step up with Emmanuel Sanders gone.

Defense:

Defensive Line: Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Arik Armstead, DJ Jones, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Kerry Hyder Jr - A+

I don't list all because I feel that this will be the main rotation. Bosa and Ford are terrors off the edge - together, there is no better pass rushing duo in the NFL, both statistically and by the eye-test. Adding big, bad, Javon Kinlaw in that middle of the DL will instantly help the run game, and DJ Jones was borderline dominant last season. Add a decent veteran in Kerry Hyder Jr, and a resurgent Solomon Thomas who by every source had his best camp to date - the reason I said the TE group might not the best on this team is because of the DL - Nick Bosa and company look to step it up a notch with Buckner gone.

Linebacker: Fred Warner, Kwon Alexander, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Mark Nzeocha, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles - A

Having two of the best coverage linebackers in football will always be great. When Alexander is healthy he is a pro-bowl level LB, and Warner is even better: if Warner keeps improving season upon season, he will be the best LB in football at one point - it’s just a matter of time. All three of the core LBs are hard-hitting sideline-to-sideline freaks, and Greenlaw would be good enough to start on most teams - he missed the least tackles of any player on the team and had the best missed tackle percentage. Al-Shaair and Nzeocha are core special teamers who can fill in, and DFF is really exciting as a young LB/S hybrid. This is a youthful group with a ton of talent - health is what counts.

Cornerback: Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon, K’Waun Williams - A

I wish that the 49ers had given Verrett, who played outstanding during camp, a shot at slot CB - but that is Williams job through and through. Having an elite slot corner like Williams to go along with the greatest CB of the past decade in Sherman, and a gritty playmaker like Moseley makes this core very strong - as long as Sherman keeps his level of play up. Witherspoon is the biggest wild-card; he’s the most physically gifted corner on the team, but can he stay consistent? Last season he started off red-hot, and after his injury lost his job to Moseley. Will we get that Witherspoon, or the one that gets constantly burned? It remains to be seen but this is another talented group, one part of the best pass defense in the league.

Safety: Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Tarvarius Moore, Marcell Harris - A-

This group depends on one player: Jaquiski Tartt. If he can recapture his past year form, and stay healthy, Tartt and Ward together are one of the best safety duos in football. Tartt’s man coverage ability is one of the best in the league for a SS, and he’s a hard hitting enforcer in the run game as well. A Pro-Bowl talent, I hope we find a way to retain him as he hits free agency after this season. Tarvarius Moore is super talented with his athletic gifts and instincts, and that’s in addition to Marcell Harris, another core special teamer who played well in the absence of Tartt this past season. Particularly, I want to see more of Moore: the speedy safety had one of the biggest plays of the season with his interception of Mahomes, and showed massive improvement at his natural position compared to his rookie season. Many have mentioned going to a three-safety look, which would be interesting, but I want to see some of Ward’s snaps at FS go to Moore. This scheme requires speed at the deep end, and Moore has the most on the team - with the instincts and other intangibles. He just needs snaps and experience.

Special Teams: A-

K: Robbie Gould
P: Mitch Wishnowksy
LS: Kyle Nelson

Gould had a season that pales in comparison to past campaigns, but regardless, he remains one of the most accurate kickers in football and in history. The contract saga with him is over, and he’s delivered on almost every big stage the 49ers have needed him in. I did not like investing a 4th round pick into a punter, but Mitch’s toughness for a punter has won many of us over in Puntopolis (Pat has more details on that). While he still has work to do in the punting department, he played well for a rookie at a position that many rookies fail at. Field position is key in close games, and the 49ers benefited from Wishnowsky’s ability. Finally, Kyle Nelson has been the longtime long snapper for us: but really, is it necessary to keep a whole roster spot for a LS? He is supposed to be an emergency TE but takes no practice reps there - I wish we had given someone like Ben Garland, Colton McKivitz, etc. a shot at playing LS. It would help to have some added versatility, but it’s a non-factor in the big picture. Nelson still does his job and well.

It might be biased, but there’s a whole lot of A’s going around for this roster. And to be honest, what else should be expected of a Super Bowl roster and contender? This team is chock-full of young talent, regardless of a terrifying cap scenario next season, and will have a bright future.

Around The NFL

Sidney Jones has signed with the Jaguars practice squad. Super talented player, I like the flier.
Josh Rosen signed with the Buccaneers - he goes from the two worst scenarios a QB can have, to the best - A team with the best WR duo in football, and with a top-two but not #1 TE group. Finally gets a good offensive line, but most of all: He gets to sit behind Tom Brady. It did wonders for Jimmy G, who we can still see the Brady influence in today, it will do the same for Rosen. He also joins the coach that originally drafted and believed in him, in Bruce Arians. Love the fit. The Bucs are just signing everyone.
With a little less than a week remaining, Clowney Watch has ended but Earl Thomas still remains unsigned. He’s too talented to go unsigned, regardless of his off-field concerns.
QB shifts: Josh McCown is the emergency practice squad QB for the Eagles. At 41 years old. The Steelers also bring Josh Dobbs back to the place he started, in Pittsburgh - They released Devlin Hodges to make room for Dobbs. With the way Rudolph played last season, Dobbs coming off the bench first instead of Rudolph in the case of a Roethlisberger injury is more likely than people think.

Check out our Fact and Fiction, 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, and a in-depth look into the Kittle vs. Kelce argument.

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