Trent Baalke, Chip Kelly, every assistant coach and every scout will bunker down at the 49ers team facility in Santa Clara on Friday. Coffee will be poured and debates could be filled with yelling and screaming. But as Kelly said so eloquently on Tuesday, it’ll be up to Baalke to decide who makes the 53-man roster.
We’re not privy to these 49ers meetings. But if we were, here’s five surprise candidates we’d recommend to sneak onto the roster.
Linebacker Marcus Rush
There was no better pass rusher this NFL preseason than Rush, according to Pro Football Focus. He tallied six sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and eight tackles. Those stats jump off the page and cannot be ignored, especially when the 49ers’ weakness on defense is getting after the quarterback. While he did struggle against the run, the 25-year-old Rush has flashed diamond in the rough characteristics and athleticism. There are plenty of teams who will gamble on him if Baalke elects to stash him on the practice squad.
Who’s spot he takes: Corey Lemonier. Rush should join Ahmad Brooks, Eli Harold and Tank Carradine Week 1 as an outside linebacker. If Rush doesn’t produce in the first four weeks, the 49ers can put him back on the practice squad when they elevate Aaron Lynch from suspension.
Running back Mike Davis
There were two fumbles, but there were a dozen of runs that showed Davis is a quality NFL backup running back. His quick power burst is a stylistic change of pace from Carlos Hyde’s patient running style, and Davis is prone to hit home runs. He gashed the Texans on a 44-yard scamper in the opener and finished the preseason with 19 carries for 178 yards — that’s 7.8 yards per carry. Proof is in the pudding. He’s smashed the bubble he was on. 49ers diehards had written him off in the spring, but Davis is here to stay.
Who’s spot he takes: Running back DuJuan Harris. Carrying four running backs seems unnecessary. If one of the three gets hurt, the 49ers can quickly add someone capable, as they did in the middle of last year with Shaun Draughn.
Quarterback Christian Ponder
Before you say there’s no way the 49ers keep three quarterbacks, remember Kelly had three on the roster last season with the Eagles — Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez and Thad Lewis. None of those were young developmental guys, either. Kelly likes having options on his menu, and Ponder (albeit in the fourth quarter of a preseason game) gives the 49ers an insurance policy at the most important position in sports. Multiple teams carried three quarterbacks last season, the Browns ended up using all three of theirs — Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel and Austin Davis.
You could argue that no other NFL team will pick up Ponder, and Baalke can give him a call if the 49ers need him in an injury pinch. But we all saw Jeff Driskel’s shaky performance against the Chargers. There’s no way you want the rookie to see the field in 2016 regular season game, and Driskel’s practice squad spot may even be in jeopardy. He’s just not an NFL quarterback. Ponder is, and he’s worth keeping around the building in case of emergency.
Who’s spot does Ponder take: Offensive lineman Colin Kelly. Nine offensive linemen are not necessary. Joe Staley
Zane Beadles, Daniel Kilgore, Andrew Tiller, Trent Brown, Anthony Davis, Joshua Garnett and Fahn Cooper are more than enough, especially given that Garnett will likely come off the bench and Davis can play multiple positions.
Nickel back Chris Davis
He came in like a lion and out like a lamb, but the beginning of his preseason was enough to prove to Jim O’Neil that he deserves a roster spot — and playing time. Determined to prove he wasn’t a one-hit wonder in college at Auburn (he famously ran that kick back against Alabama) Davis has can play on an island in the slot. Jimmie Ward and Tramaine Brock are locked in as the outside starters. Dontae Johnson and Rashard Robinson both had a decent summer. Keith Reaser put enough tape out last season to show he’s a reliable backup in case of injury.
Who’s spot does Davis take: Will Redmond. The 49ers won’t cut the third-round pick, but they have every right to put him on injured reserve. He doesn’t look fully healthy following an ACL tear last October.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick
We wrote it was preposterous that his roster spot was in jeopardy last night, but Kaepernick let his hair down and logged meaningful snaps, proving he’s one of the two best QB’s on the roster. We’ve argued for weeks, whoever starts Week 1 is not in good position to succeed. If and when it’s Blaine Gabbert facing the Rams, Panthers, Seahawks, Cowboys and Cardinals the first five games of the year, expect the chants for Kaepernick to grow louder each week. As more NFL players peacefully join his protest, he’ll become less of a distraction. Other 49ers have argued he’s helped bring the team closer together.
Who’s spot does Kap take: Baalke should carry one less inside linebacker and cut Michael Wilhoite. NaVorro Bowman Ray-Ray Armstrong, Gerald Hodges and Nick Bellore (who proved he can play more than special teams in case of injury) is a serviceable unit from top to bottom.
