Predicting the 49ers roster before Sunday’s cutdown to 53: Who stays, who plays, who’s out? (Paywall)
“Of the six here, the selection that appears most iffy is Hobbs, who has barely practiced this camp and sports an already long injury history. He was supposed to offer nickel depth behind Stout, and perhaps he can still do that, but Robinson is a younger option who showed some flashes after his rookie camp (and season altogether) was derailed by a broken forearm. Recent side workouts seemed promising for Hobbs. There is a good chance, if he is the pick, the 49ers try to stash Robinson on their practice squad. Luter had his opportunities over three seasons with the organization. The signing of Jones and drafting of Prysock this past offseason put him squarely on the bubble. Luter doesn’t play nickel so whose spot could he take?”
Unranked and unloved by scouts, Jaden Dugger might be 49ers’ new late-round find (paywall)
“On Jan. 23, 2023, his brother, Dajuan, the oldest of five siblings, died in his sleep. He was 24. Dajuan had been a quarterback at Division II Lock Haven University, setting the example for his football-playing brothers, Jaden, Dalen and Julian, a sophomore quarterback at Washington State….“Time makes it easier, but you never forget,” Dugger said. “Some days are harder than others. … Something like that is terrible, but I feel like it taught me a lot about myself. I kind of feel like I’m not playing the game for myself anymore. I definitely was before.”
…[KJ] Wright was convicted by Dugger’s feel for the position. While studying video, Wright was impressed by how Dugger reacted to a reverse — taking off as if he had heard the play in the opponent’s huddle.
Wright made it the second play of a highlight reel presented to head coach Kyle Shanahan. To Wright, it was evidence that the former wide receiver, cornerback, safety and pass rusher was, unquestionably, a linebacker — one who was raw but could become a star with seasoning.
“He’s going to be a guy that will anticipate plays and see them before they happen,” Wright said. “That’s just a gift he has. It’s hard to coach. You just have to have the gift.”
Dugger admits he once viewed another of his assets — his versatility — as a curse. When he was moved from the secondary to the defensive front after arriving at Louisiana, he was frustrated.
“It was like, ‘Dang, I’m a safety. Why are they switching me?’” he said.
But his mindset shifted. And his fortunes changed. Now, after overcoming Division I rejection, personal tragedy and skepticism from scouts about what, exactly, he was, he has a shot to become more than anyone imagined.”
Matt Maiocco’s 53-man 49ers roster projection 4.0 ahead of the 2026 NFL season
“And the medical reports will determine how the 49ers piece it together ahead of their trip to Melbourne, Australia, to face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10.
“That’s why you want as long as possible,” Shanahan said. “They’re moving it up this year on Sunday with us leaving for Australia so soon. So it just makes it a little bit harder to guess where those guys are going to be.
“Most of our guys, besides Ricky, are going to be all right. How good are they going to be Week 1? How good are they going to be Week 2? Those are things we’ve got to balance out.”
4 Winners and 2 losers: Is the 49ers’ defensive line depth good enough?
“This kid is worth investing in. On Dinkins’ second play, the team trusted him to stay in and pass protect. He ended up helping right tackle Brandon Parker on a defensive lineman. On the next play, Dinkins drove the safety about seven yards from where he started.
On the play where Jordan James ran for 17 yards, Dinkins worked to the linebacker and secured him, paving the way for James. Who knows if Dinkins ever turns into a viable pass catcher, but he is the exact type of prospect the team has drafted in the sixth round under this regime.
Dinkins is a keeper. The aggression he plays with is palpable. Dinkins blocks with the intent that George Kittle would admire. He should stick on the practice squad.”