The 49ers cut 13 veteran players on Tuesday, signaling that they are going to create lanes for their rookie players to develop right away in Year 1.
Briefly, let’s dive into how much each potential draft pick could see the field in 2017.
DL Solomon Thomas: There’s some debate as to whether he’s a Michael Bennett defensive end in San Francisco, or the Frank Clark role as the interior pass rusher in base packages. Wherever he finds a home at, there’s no reason to believe Thomas can’t be a three-down player in Year 1. This is the No. 3 overall pick. He should be making a difference right away. As I mentioned Monday in my draft observations, Thomas is going to miss the equivalent of 12 practices while he finishes classes at Stanford in May and June. That shouldn’t prevent him from debuting Sept. 10 against Carolina, but fellow Stanford alum Joshua Garnett said the missed time delayed his development some in 2016. The offensive line is a completely different animal, but Garnett didn’t end up starting until Oct. 11 against the Buffalo Bills. Other starters on the defensive line will likely include DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Earl Mitchell.
LB Reuben Foster: Pencil him in as a starting linebacker from Week 1. The question becomes how will defensive coordinator Robert Saleh use him in sub-packages? Foster has the coverage skills to mark the likes of Jimmy Graham and David Johnson out of the backfield. This skill set can allow Saleh to get creative in keeping both Foster and NaVorro Bowman on the field in short passing downs.
CB Ahkello Witherspoon: Starting a rookie at outside cornerback is a slippery slope for the 49ers, but there’s belief he may already be better than Dontae Johnson. Ideally, Witherspoon could be eased into the role if Tramaine Brock was still on the roster. His lengthy frame makes for a physical pairing with teammate Rashard Robinson, but outside cornerback is now lacking experience and depth after Jimmie Ward’s position change to safety. Know this: opposing teams are going to attack Witherspoon in Year 1.
QB C.J. Beathard: Unless the 49ers are 3-10 in early December, I doubt we see Beathard on the field this regular season. He’s got a ton to learn and Kyle Shanahan has already made it clear Matt Barkley is the team’s No. 2 quarterback behind Brian Hoyer. I think Beathard eventually becomes a Jimmy Garoppolo type of backup behind Kirk Cousins, making spot starts, looking solid and earning San Francisco trade leverage and options.
RB Joe Williams: Shanahan urged Lynch to put this guy back on the draft board and he got his wish. Williams’ speed is something the 49ers currently don’t possess in a veteran running backs room — Carlos Hyde, Tim Hightower, DuJuan Harris and Mike Davis. It’s a little bombastic to predict Williams will unseat Hyde (a free-agent-to-be), but picturing the rookie as the third-down back is a firm way to start off his career. He could compete on kick returns with Jeremy Kerley, too.
TE George Kittle: This one is more of a wild card. If Kittle proves he’s a better pass catcher than how little Iowa featured him, he could be the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart. If he takes some time to become a factor in the pass game, his playing time will be scarce. The 49ers were open about trying to trade Vance McDonald. Kittle will be given every chance to mark his territory in that class room.
WR: Trent Taylor: Lynch called Taylor Shanahan’s draft crush on Monday with Murph and Mac. Shanahan is going to craft a specific role for the Louisiana Tech alum — whether the role is similar to last year’s Taylor Gabriel is still up in the air. Don’t be surprised to see 30 catches, 300 yards and a couple of touchdowns from Taylor come January. With that said, competition will be stiff. Aldrick Robinson and undrafted rookie KD Cannon will be given chances to make plays this summer.
DT: D.J. Jones: The defensive line has become an extremely crowded place these days, especially with Aaron Lynch and Ahmad Brooks often lining up with their hand in the dirt. Jones’ spot could come down to a competition with him and longtime 49er Quinton Dial.
LEO Pita Taumoepenu: If the 6-foot-1, 243-pound pass rusher is productive in training camp and in the preseason, it’ll be hard to keep him off the practice squad. The 49ers truly don’t have a shifty, edge rusher like what Taumoepenu provides. Brooks and Lynch are more power rushers than they are speed guys. Don’t automatically bank on Taumoepenu making an impact in 2017, but the fact that his skill set is different bodes well for his future in Santa Clara.
CB: Adrian Colbert: Special teams will be his way through the roster and the 49ers are looking for a hallmark player on that end after letting Nick Bellore go.
