3 Possible Surprise Camp Cuts for the San Francisco 49ers

In just three weeks, when rookies report to minicamp, the San Francisco 49ers front office will be tasked with evaluating its 90-man roster and winnowing it down to just 53 by the end of August. 

While 53 seems more than enough, given that only 11 play at any given time, the NFC Championship game proved that every roster spot is essential, especially given the number of injuries the 49ers have sustained over the past four to five years. 

Head Coach Kyle Shanahan returns 19 of 22 starters, so most of the camp battles outside of right tackle and nickel corner will be between younger players vying for depth. As some more cost-effective opportunities will arise in August, below are three possible cap casualties for Shanahan and general manager John Lynch to consider.

Running back Tyrion Davis-Price 

49ers RB Tyrion Davis-Price (32) – David Berding/Getty Images

The second-year running back out of LSU was supposed to come in a be the big back that Ohio State draftee Trey Sermon failed to become in San Francisco. The 2022 third-round pick was drafted to be a change of pace from the shorter, shiftier Elijah Mitchell. Davis-Price can certainly still thrive in the NFL, and with San Francisco, for that matter, as the 220-pound power back is just 22. Unfortunately for him, a lingering high-ankle sprain kept him out of activity for a good portion of the season.

When he did see action, he only averaged a paltry 2.9 yards per carry. While Davis-Price struggled to rehabilitate his ankle, the 49ers traded for All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who became the focal point of this offense.

 In addition to Davis-Price seeing a stalwart brought into the running back room, undrafted rookie Jordan Mason looked every bit of the change of pace big back Shanahan desired when selecting Davis-Price. While the 2nd year former Tiger might have suffered an unfortunate injury, the 49ers might turn to a cheaper option for its running back No. 4. Rookie free-agent running backs Khalan Laborn and Ronald Awatt are fresh off their collegiate careers and give Lynch an opportunity to save nearly $3 million over the next three seasons by moving on from Davis-Price. Laborn, a former five-star high school talent, especially could be a hidden gem after a stellar senior season at Marshall.

49ers TE Charlie Woerner

49ers TE Charlie Woerner (89) – Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers tight end George Kittle is arguably the best tight end in the league behind Kansas City’s Travis Kelce. But the opportunity to improve the athleticism of the 2022 tight end room proved important for Shanahan and Lynch this past spring, as the front office spent not one but two draft picks on athletic H-back-type tight ends in Alabama’s Cameron Latu and Oklahoma’s Brayden Willis. In addition to investing in these two newcomers, San Francisco also re-signed 28-year-old Ross Dwelley, a five-year veteran in San Francisco who has proven to be a serviceable No. 2 option when called upon.

Honestly, Shanhan uses fullback Kyle Juszczyk as an off-ball tight end as well. With the investment in the position, Woerner might be the odd man out come August as he is in the last year of his deal that San Francisco can save nearly $1 million by terminating. While serviceable during his time in the Bay Area, Woerner has a lower athletic floor than both Latu and Willis. If things go according to plan, Lynch will raise the floor of the room.

Linebacker Oren Burks

49ers LB Oren Burks (48) – Chris Unger/GettyImages

While the odds are that a defensive back like Ambry Thomas or Samuel Womack might be on the outside looking in when management makes its final cuts, San Francisco might consider moving on from backup linebacker Oren Burks. This move, if transacted, would be considered more of a high-risk, high-reward payoff. Clearing Burks off the board opens $2.5 million in cap space for the 2023 season. A few calculated cuts here and there might make room for San Francisco to land a mid-season free agent signing or trade target if it possesses the cap space. 

Burks was brought in not only to add quality depth in the misfortune of an injured linebacker but to lead the 49ers’ special teams’ coverage units. His role on the team, however, diminishes entering 2023 with the departure of kicker Robbie Gould and the addition of rookie Jake Moody of Michigan. Moody’s leg is quite strong, and after years with Gould at the helm of the kicking unit, the 49ers invested in the power of Moody over the accuracy of the veteran. With considerably more touchbacks on kickoffs, the importance of the 49ers’ coverage unit diminishes a bit.