The San Francisco 49ers open the 2022 NFL regular season at the Chicago Bears on Sept. 11 at Soldier Field.
After falling just short in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Niners return a loaded roster that once again has Super Bowl aspirations. Much of how this season goes will depend on whether second-year quarterback Trey Lance can produce in his first season as the starter.
That will also be shaped by a supporting cast that seems to have significant questions only on the offensive line and in the secondary. Once again, the Niners boast a deep group at defensive line, linebacker and running back, where some of their toughest decisions will be made.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Trey Lance, Nate Sudfeld
It's difficult to imagine a scenario in which Jimmy Garoppolo is on this team in 2022. The question now is how the divorce happens. San Francisco has said repeatedly it doesn't want to release him, which is easy to say when no deadlines are imminent. But his more than $24 million base salary would become guaranteed if he's on the roster Sept. 10, which means something has to give. Elsewhere, rookie Brock Purdy made a push for the backup job. The Niners could keep all three QBs, but Purdy should be able to get to the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (5): Elijah Mitchell, FB Kyle Juszczyk, Tyrion Davis-Price, Jeff Wilson Jr., Trey Sermon
The 49ers have tough decisions to make here and could even extend themselves to keep six to open the season. JaMycal Hasty is the toughest omission in this group, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he stuck. Hasty and Sermon are probably dueling for the final spot. Perhaps someone would offer a late draft pick for one of them to make this choice easier, or perhaps the Niners keep both and go light somewhere else. Jordan Mason has promise and can probably make it to the practice squad.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Danny Gray, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Malik Turner
The Niners could go light here and keep five but like Turner's special teams abilities, which he displayed in the preseason. The hard part will be what happens on game days when they won't have all six in uniform. If Turner sticks because of special teams, it suggests he'd be available, likely leaving Gray or Jennings as a healthy scratch.
TIGHT END (3): George Kittle, Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley
Once again, there really wasn't much effort put into adding depth behind Kittle, leaving this group looking familiar.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Daniel Brunskill, Mike McGlinchey, Jaylon Moore, Spencer Burford, Colton McKivitz, Jason Poe
The versatility of Brunskill, McKivitz and Moore makes them ideal as backups. Poe might have been the Niners' best undrafted find and projects to an interior spot at some point. Rookie Nick Zakelj could also stick but seems more likely to land on the practice squad.
DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Samson Ebukam, Drake Jackson, Kemoko Turay, Jordan Willis, Charles Omenihu, Kevin Givens, Kerry Hyder Jr.
This is the most loaded position group on the roster, and there are experienced players who won't make it who could land elsewhere. The last spot looks to come down to Hassan Ridgeway or Hyder, but we'll give the edge to Hyder because of his versatility and familiarity with the defense and line coach Kris Kocurek. It's also not out of the question that they keep 11 and Ridgeway also makes it.
LINEBACKERS (5): Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Oren Burks, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Another position where there doesn't seem to be much drama unless the Niners opt to keep a sixth player. The first four are locked in and, despite a push from talented rookies, like Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Flannigan-Fowles holds his spot because of special teams.
CORNERBACKS (5): Charvarius Ward, Emmanuel Moseley, Samuel Womack III, Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas
Ward, Moseley and Womack seem set, but it's difficult to discern how the Niners are leaning after that. Lenoir has taken a step forward, and his versatility should lock him in. Thomas has not made the same progress and has been dealing with a knee injury but should still be in the mix. Jason Verrett will start the season on the physically unable to perform list but could play a role as the year goes on. Ka'dar Hollman, Tariq Castro-Fields and Qwuantrezz Knight had some promising moments and one could land a spot, but the practice squad seems more likely.
SAFETIES (5): Jimmie Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, Tarvarius Moore, George Odum, Dontae Johnson
Ward's hamstring injury complicates things, but he's still expected back early in the season. Johnson, who also has plenty of experience playing corner, is the ideal backup because he can play any spot in the secondary. Veteran Tashaun Gipson Sr. could push for a spot, though he'd probably have to unseat Moore, who is coming off a torn Achilles.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Robbie Gould, P Mitch Wishnowsky, LS Taybor Pepper
No drama here. These three are locked in, barring injury.