49ers 53-man roster projection: Injuries cloud the picture at OL, LB and CB (paywall)
“Barrows’ counterpoint: Lowe could begin the season on injured reserve, which would put Pleasants in the swing tackle role he had last year and free up another roster spot. Toth’s lingering concussion symptoms, meanwhile, create concern at backup center. If he can’t play in Australia — or make the 16-hour plane trip — the 49ers would have to think about having Nugent or Kramer in uniform in Week 1. Perhaps Nugent will land on the practice squad and get elevated against the Rams.”
49ers 53-man roster projection: Who’s heading to Australia? (Paywall)
“I think there are two immediate IR-return designations that will happen before cuts: Lowe and Kirk. Waitman would be back immediately after cuts. Okoronkwo will likely be the same.
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Kurtis Rourke, Brett Toth, Ephesians Prysock, Nick Martin and/or Luke Gifford give you five potential roster spots created via IR. Malik Mustapha might be another option there, but you probably want him as soon as he’s available. There are, of course, mystery injuries that we could find out about later for other players.
It’s less that there are a bunch of players on the bubble and more about the 49ers navigating weird ways to sneak everybody onto the team. As usual, we’ll probably get their roster cuts after everyone else.”
49ers vs. Raiders PFF grades: Best and worst from the game, plus snap counts
“Right tackle Brandon Parker was the 49ers’ highest-graded offensive lineman, earning a 69.1 offensive grade. He led the team with an 81.9 run-blocking grade but earned a 63.7 pass-blocking grade.
Connor Colby, who started at right guard, earned the game’s best pass-blocking grade at 88.0 and did not allow a single pressure.”
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Who was the biggest surprise of the preseason for the 49ers?
“Jordan Watkins is the kind of player who has preseason production in the box score, but once you go under the hood and focus on him, I’m not sure he’s an NFL player. Not for the 49ers, at least.
Football is a violent game. Unfortunately for Watkins, there were too many exposures during the preseason of him either shying away from contact or failing to produce through contact.
If we use the final preseason game as an example, Watkins turtled up on his first kickoff return when he was about to get tackled. He had an opportunity to block a safety, but he waited and was driven back instead of being the aggressor. Then you get into tracking the ball in the air, and you’re left wondering whether Watkins is worth investing in, or if you should listen to the signs he’s telling you and move on.”
