SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers open the 2021 NFL regular season at the Detroit Lions on Sept. 12 at Ford Field.
Entering the season, the roster question that still looms largest here is at quarterback, where the clock is ticking on projected starter Jimmy Garoppolo with rookie Trey Lance closing in fast.
Elsewhere, the Niners appear to have one of the best rosters in the league but questions remain about depth in the secondary, at wide receiver and on the offensive line.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the initial 53:
QUARTERBACK (2): Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance
The only question here is whether the Niners opt to keep Nate Sudfeld as their third quarterback on the roster or hope they can get him through to the practice squad. If indeed the plan is to play Lance situationally, it would probably serve the Niners well to keep Sudfeld on the roster but the guess here is they will stash him on the practice squad early so his salary doesn't guarantee as a vested veteran in Week 1.
RUNNING BACK (5): Raheem Mostert, Kyle Juszczyk, Trey Sermon, Elijah Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty
Jeff Wilson Jr. will start the season on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury, leaving the Niners to sort out who stays and who goes among a group including Mitchell, Wayne Gallman and Hasty for what is probably two spots. Hasty had a strong camp and is more of a big-play threat, but Gallman brings more experience. The slightest of edges goes to Hasty.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Mohamed Sanu, Trent Sherfield, Jalen Hurd, Travis Benjamin
Aiyuk and Samuel were the only real locks when camp started but Sanu and Sherfield were two of the surprises and have done enough to lock down two more spots. Hurd's biggest question has been and remains health but the Niners have a history of standing by their draft picks in these situations and this could be his last chance. Richie James Jr.'s knee injury leaves an opening for Benjamin to win the primary returner job, as he edges out Nsimba Webster.
TIGHT END (3): George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner
Perhaps the Niners would go with just five receivers and keep converted-wideout Jordan Matthews as a fourth tight end who specializes in catching passes. Or maybe they covet the experience of veteran MyCole Pruitt, who missed much of camp because of injury. But those are still big questions which point to status quo in this group.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Daniel Brunskill, Mike McGlinchey, Alex Mack, Colton McKivitz, Aaron Banks, Jaylon Moore
The starting five seems solid but the Niners have depth questions here, which means they could be scanning the waiver wire and potential trade options for help. Banks' struggles in camp might also bolster the need to keep a ninth player here, perhaps one who could help at both interior spots.
DEFENSIVE LINE (11): Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Javon Kinlaw, D.J. Jones, Samson Ebukam, Zach Kerr, Arden Key, Kentavius Street, Kevin Givens, Maurice Hurst
The deepest position group on the roster and a decision would be even more difficult if end Jordan Willis wasn't suspended for the first six games. Eleven is a lot but this might be necessary as a temporary solution because of Hurst's high ankle sprain. He can't go on short-term injured reserve unless he makes the initial 53, so the Niners keep him on it here then shift him to short-term IR after that and replace his roster spot elsewhere to keep 10 here.
LINEBACKER (6): Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Jonas Griffith, Marcell Harris
This could be a spot where the Niners roll the dice and release a sixth player like Harris or Griffith and then bring him back after he clears waivers. Such a move would be easier with a veteran who doesn't have to clear waivers, but the idea is to offer a potential solution to make the defensive line logjam work out. Instead, all three backups stay, including Harris, who can also play safety and has a key role on special teams.
CORNERBACK (5): Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, K'Waun Williams, Ambry Thomas, Deommodore Lenoir
Proven depth is lacking here, which means the Niners should be on the lookout for more help. Thomas and Lenoir are promising rookies but probably not ready for prime time. Dontae Johnson is the veteran who could stick, but would be a logical candidate for release until the Niners can get Hurst through to short-term injured reserve and then bring back to the roster.
SAFETY (4): Jimmie Ward, Tavon Wilson, Talanoa Hufanga, Jaquiski Tartt
Tartt's return from the physically unable to perform list helps fortify a position that has been one of the Niners' biggest question marks. He's got a shot to win back his starting job but if not, Wilson looks poised to begin the season there. Hufanga could win that job at some point but will be an immediate contributor on special teams. Jared Mayden is tough to leave off here but should land on the practice squad.
SPECIALISTS (3): Robbie Gould, Mitch Wishnowsky, Taybor Pepper
No competition here, this group is set.