San Francisco 49ers 2024 Roster: Strengths and Weaknesses

While it is the quiet part of the offseason between Mandatory Minicamp and Training Camp, it is time to look at the San Francisco 49ers roster. There are some positions more stacked with depth than others. Now that the draft is well over, and there have been some late free-agency signings, it is time to evaluate the rosters‘ strengths and weaknesses based on position.

San Francisco 49ers Roster Strengths

Wide Receiver (returning notable players)

While yes, the situation with wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk is up in the air, the wide receiver position for the 49ers is looking pretty substantial. In addition to whatever is happening with Aiyuk, the team has Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings returning next year. Jennings may be wide receiver three, but if the team won the Super Bowl, there was a chance he could have earned MVP. Jennings is one of the most consistent clutch plays on the team. This is the player who coined the nickname “Third and Jauan” for being such a solid target on third down.

Samuel is a strong physical athlete who can run the ball himself and flourish with yards after the catch. When he is healthy, he is a beast on the field. Assuming Aiyuk is with the team in 2024, he is a strong route runner who can pretty much always get open. His contract is simply the next hurdle for the 49ers ahead of the 2024 season.

Wide Receiver (Depth)

In addition to these three, the 49ers drafted a wide receiver in round one of the 2024 NFL Draft. Ricky Pearsall has the chance to be a big-time player with the 49ers whether it be this year or next. Even if he takes this year to develop, he can turn into another great target for San Francisco. The team has also brought back Trent Taylor, who will be a player to watch with the new kick-return rules.

Some of the players who are possibly lesser known to the league include Danny Gray and Ronnie Bell. Gray was supposedly brought in to be the speedy deep threat to Trey Lance, but there is a question about where things stand with him. Gray was injured all of last year, and there is a chance he will lose his roster spot. Bell did get playing time in 2023 as a rookie. He was primarily a special teams player. What hurt him on the roster was muffing a punt. This could cause concern as the team figures out who they want returning punts and kickoffs, with Ray-Ray McCloud’s departure in free agency.

The 49ers also have returning veteran Chris Conley who has shown up for the team when needed at times. Of course, as an undrafted free agent, the 49ers picked up Terique Owens, who could fight for a roster spot. The 49ers try to keep around seven receivers on the roster, and this position is loaded.

Running Back

Of course, with Christian McCaffrey as your starting running back, that position will succeed. There are still plenty of other players who are also worth noting. McCaffrey is a player who never wants to come off the field, but even the best players need to take a break. The team’s most likely second running back is Elijah Mitchell. Mitchell was the team’s starter before McCaffrey came in. His biggest issue has been his health. He has missed a lot of playing time with various injuries. Hopefully, Mitchell can remain healthy give McCaffrey a break, and open up the offense.

San Francisco also has Jordan Mason as a running back option. He plays often when the team has a large lead or if McCaffrey needs a rest. Even though Mason has not been needed on the team in big moments, he always pushes for extra yardage. He is a player who constantly gives his best and could be a solid player for this team in 2024.

The 49ers did select a running back in the draft. Could this be another draft pick that is rarely used? Potentially. But right now he cannot be judged. In the 2024 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round. He definitely has a chance to compete for a roster spot this year, even if he ends up a healthy scratch on game day.

San Francisco 49ers Roster Weaknesses

Tight End

The tight end position is definitely a weak point of this team. The 49ers have George Kittle of course, but behind him is up for debate. For the past couple of years, the second and third tight ends have been Ross Dwelley and Charlier Woerner. The two left in free agency, and the 49ers did not draft any this year.

The 49ers drafted two tight ends in the 2023 NFL Draft, but little has been seen of them. Cameron Latu faced an injury ahead of the 2023 season, so the team has not been able to see what he can do. The team also drafted Brayden Willis. Not much has been seen from Willis yet, but he at least had the opportunity to practice all of 2023 and get into some games. Hopefully, he can take what he learned and produce in 2024.

A couple of weeks ago the 49ers signed Logan Thomas. This could be a great late addition for the 49ers. He will not have to be relied on but can come in clutch for the 49ers and can be another receiving tight end. For Thomas being a signing this late into the offseason, it is a pretty good deal. While there are a couple of tight ends to play this year, there are still questions surrounding the position.

Defensive Line

While this position does have its strength, as a whole it is weaker this year. Now, there is a chance that it could be better than expected. By the end of this season, this view could look terrible. There are returning strong players and one big addition. The team will have Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave returning. The team also added Leonard Floyd in free agency. The line should definitely still produce. San Francisco lost Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw in free agency too though.

Hopefully, San Francisco can see what they have in Drake Jackson, depending on his recovery from injury. There is also Robert Beal Jr., Yetur Gross-Matos, and players that have been solid in the rotation such as Kevin Givens. So yes, there are players, and under Kris Kocurek, the team will see success, there are just question marks this year compared to the past. There is potential here, but the judgment cannot really be made until the season starts.

Offensive Line

The offensive line has been a weakness for the 49ers for multiple years now. The good news is, there were no major losses in free agency. So yes, the 49ers need to improve on the line and protect Purdy, but at least there were no big losses. Jon Feliciano is returning for one more season, and he is a player who came to be useful for the 49ers towards the end of the season. That right side is not the best, but hopefully, the second season with this group together could be better. Perhaps some of the younger players who did not get playing time last season can step up.

After much begging from fans, though of course that is not why, the team did select an offensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft. In the third round, with the 86th overall pick, the team selected Dominick Puni. Puni did not allow a single sack last year for Kansas. While this position is a weakness for the 49ers, at least they have a potential player in Puni coming in.

Important Dates

Rookies will report to training camp on July 16th. The veterans will report on July 23rd. The first preseason game will be on August 10th against the Tennessee Titans. The 2024 NFL season for the San Francisco 49ers will begin on September 9th for Monday Night Football against the New York Jets.