Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The quarterbacks will draw most of the attention when the 49ers open their exhibition season at Oakland on Friday night, but not at the expense of broader roster issues. At least not here.
We've taken a look at the Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks. Now we dive into the 49ers' roster with an eye toward which players are likely to stick around for opening day.
The number in parenthesis after the positional name indicates how many players are on the roster at that position. The average number kept represents the average number of players the 49ers had on their opening-day rosters with Mike Nolan as head coach (2005 to 2007).
Quarterbacks (4)
Average number kept under Nolan: 3.3
Locks: Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, J.T. O'Sullivan
Also: Kyle Wright
Comment: O'Sullivan gets the start Friday night. Smith will also play extensively, followed by Hill.
Running backs (6)
Average number kept under Nolan: 5.3
Locks: Frank Gore, Michael Robinson, DeShaun Foster
On the bubble: Zak Keasey, Moran Norris
Also: Thomas Clayton
Comment: Keasey's special-teams value helps him. Norris is more of a traditional fullback. Tight end Billy Bajema's versatility could allow the 49ers to keep as few as four true running backs.
Wide receivers (10)
Average number kept under Nolan: 6.0
Locks: Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle, Josh Morgan, Isaac Bruce, Jason Hill
On the bubble: Ashley Lelie
Also: Dominique Zeigler, Cameron Colvin, Robert Ortiz, Jerard Rabb
Comment: Will the 49ers keep five or six receivers? Lelie could be out if the 49ers keep five.
Tight ends (5)
Average number kept under Nolan: 3.3
Locks: Delanie Walker, Vernon Davis, Billy Bajema
Also: Cooper Wallace, J.J. Finley
Comment: Bajema and Walker have H-back capabilities. Note: I adjusted the tight end average under Nolan down to 3.3 because Brian Jennings is a snapper (but listed as a tight end sometimes).
Offensive linemen (14)
Average number kept under Nolan: 9.0
Locks: Chilo Rachal, David Baas, Barry Sims, Eric Heitmann, Adam Snyder, Tony Wragge, Joe Staley, Jonas Jennings, Cody Wallace
On the bubble: Damane Duckett
Also: Brian Del La Puente, Joe Toledo, Alan Reuber, John Booker
Comment: Duckett, a former defensive lineman, has practice-squad eligibility.
Defensive line (11)
Average number kept under Nolan: 6.3
Locks: Isaac Sopoaga, Ray McDonald, Aubrayo Franklin, Ronald Fields, Kentwan Balmer, Justin Smith
On the bubble: Walter Curry, LaJuan Ramsey
Also: Louis Holmes, Joe Cohen, Atiyyah Ellison
Comment: Smith is working at outside linebacker, but the 49ers list him at defensive end. I'll include him with the defensive linemen for now.
Linebackers (11)
Average number kept under Nolan: 7.7
Locks: Patrick Willis, Manny Lawson, Jeff Ulbrich, Dontarrious Thomas, Parys Haralson
Looking safe: Larry Grant
On the bubble: Tully Banta-Cain, Roderick Green, Jay Moore, Brandon Moore
Also: Dennis Haley
Comment: Banta-Cain and Green could be battling for a roster spot. Brandon Moore probably needs a strong exhibition season.
Defensive backs (14*)
Average number kept under Nolan: 9.0
Locks: Nate Clements, Mark Roman, Walt Harris, Donald Strickland, Reggie Smith, Michael Lewis, Shawntae Spencer, Dashon Goldson, Tarell Brown
On the bubble: Keith Lewis, Marcus Hudson
Also: D.J. Parker, Lewis Baker, Markus Curry
Comment: Hudson and Lewis are probably fighting for the last safety spot. The 49ers could keep 10 defensive backs (11 if we count return specialist Allen Rossum).
Specialists (5*)
Average number kept under Nolan: 3.3
Locks: Joe Nedney, Brian Jennings, Andy Lee
Looking safe: Allen Rossum
Also: Ricky Schmitt
Comment: Rossum could qualify for "lock" status, but we'll play it safe. Note: I adjusted the average number kept under Nolan up from 2.3 to reflect Jennings' status as a snapper (even though he is listed at times as a tight end).
* I'm listing Rossum with the specialists even though he could provide depth in the secondary.
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
