The Good and Not So Good from 49ers Roster Moves

The roster cutdown brings clarity in team preferences, the 49ers chose system experience and money commitments over upside.

The 49ers took gambles at roster cutdown and lost promising undrafted free agents Ilm Manning and D’Shawn Jamison. Better news with Nick Bosa as the reliable Jason Dumas reports the team hopes to sign Bosa in the next few days.

The roster cutdown brings clarity in team preferences, the Niners chose system experience and money commitments over upside.

Signing Bosa would create a needed rallying point.

The Niners need some good news to break up the clouds hovering over the team. A poor preseason, trading Trey Lance leaving Kyle Shanahan questioning his choices, and depth a serious question mark. This team needs something to end the melancholy. Signing Bosa would provide positive momentum and a shot of confidence this team needs right now.

Imbalance in favoring system experience so heavily over upside at OL.

Why is the 49ers offensive line undertalented year to year, here’s a telling example. Choosing system experience over more talented upside. Nick Zakelj played poorly this preseason, led the team in holding penalties, beat frequently, and yet he’s kept over Manning, who was praised for his technique and offered multi-position versatility.

Why is the Niners' backup offensive line such a big question mark annually? Decisions like this.

Roster cuts are in part a prediction of who will and won’t be claimed. Manning was claimed by the Cardinals, Ilm is a local who attended Arizona’s Pro Day.

A number of factors are at play in the secondary.

Isaiah Oliver received guaranteed money upon signing and no doubt that factored in his making the roster despite poor play. However, skill sets are also a factor as defensive coordinator Steve Wilks values Oliver’s ability against the run. In addition, with the team keeping Darrell Luter Jr. on PUP so that he can return in a few weeks, there are fewer openings at cornerback long-term.

Losing Jamison gives up an ascending talent in the backfield and a dynamic returner. I would argue that Qwuantrezz Knight is a more important player than Jamison as a hybrid that plays well against both the run and pass, and can play at corner and safety. Knight was signed to the practice squad and should be an option at nickel.

What about kicker?

The Niners were initially rumored to be in trade talks for a kicker, but now that’s shifted to signing somebody. They brought in ex-Niner Tristan Vizcaino and Taylor Russolino for workouts. The edge should go to Vizcaino as a known quantity. Some talk up Robbie Gould, but as a vested veteran, he would receive a guaranteed season-long contract. The Niners only need a temp for a few weeks until Jake Moody is healthy.

Few outside additions.

With no trades and no one added in waivers, the Niners are staying in-house with the active roster outside of signing a kicker.  The practice squad saw the first outside addition in 5-10/184 Green Bay cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles, a former 5th-round pick.