Player-by-player analysis entering 53-man cut

SANTA CLARA — Two weeks until the 49ers begin their NFC title defense — and their quest to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 30 years. Who’ll be on that squad? The initial 53-man roster must be revealed by Tuesday.

Here is how the complete roster has looked through the preseason.

QUARTERBACKS

LOCK

Brock Purdy: Didn’t miss a practice with the first-string unit, survived three harrowing series in Sunday’s preseason win over Saints.

PROBABLE

Brandon Allen: Showed long-ball accuracy and system knowledge, but is it enough to earn promotion from last year’s QB3 to this season’s best backup?

Josh Dobbs: Not a true running quarterback but offers mobility element for off-schedule plays and valued NFL experience. Had team-high 84.7 passer rating in the preseason.

UNDERDOG

Tanner Mordecai: Strong-armed, undrafted rookie is a tempting project. He is seven months older than Purdy (both are 24). Friday’s Hail Mordecai finale was a heckuva finish.

RUNNING BACK

LOCK

Christian McCaffrey: Looks ready to defend NFL rushing title despite calf strain that’s sidelined him since Aug. 4 warmups.

Kyle Juszczyk: Perennial Pro Bowl fullback was prescribed rest days in camp for first time in career.

Jordan Mason: Made strong RB2 bid as “an angry dude running full of steam trying to get first downs and touchdowns.” Two touchdowns, 5.4 yards per carry in preseason.

PROBABLE

Elijah Mitchell: Hamstring injury cost him two weeks and puts reliability into further doubt entering contract year. Don’t rule him out as RB2 until Kyle Shanahan and Bobby Turner do.

Isaac Guerendo: Speedster literally catching up quick after missing four weeks with hamstring injury from Day 1 of camp. His 93-yard kick return Friday was magnificent but just 32 yards on 11 carries.

UNDERDOG

Cody Schrader: Undrafted rookie hustles, lacks play-making burst amid 5-foot-9 frame. Had 18 carries, 47 yards.

Matt Breida: Mid-camp arrival for an encore stint after 2017-19 NFL entry. Averaged 1.9 yards on 15 runs.

Patrick Taylor Jr.: Foot injury kept him from seizing more reps in camp as others got hurt. Tenacious touchdown Friday.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn: Former Bucs’ backup made good first impression upon Aug. 7 signing. Got just two preseason carries.

WIDE RECEIVER

LOCK

Brandon Aiyuk: OK, “lock” may be too strong until the 49ers lock him into a multi-year contract extension. He made the Vegas trip, though. Stay tuned.

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Sensational camp saw him targeted a ton, stay healthy, lead Aiyuk-less unit and make acrobatic catch to open Friday’s finale.

Jauan Jennings: Showed typical Third-and-Jauan form with physical presence until oblique injury. Hip and ankle also concerns.

Ricky Pearsall: Top pick practiced only a week in camp between hamstring and shoulder injuries. Shanahan revealed postgame Friday that Pearsall’s had shoulder dislocations three times since college, twice in past three months.

Jacob Cowing: Overcame hamstring injury to show his 4.3 speed and poise as returner, receiver and even rusher.

PROBABLE

Chris Conley: Highly respected veteran might avoid practice-squad relegation with his special teams prowess, receiver versatility.

Trent Taylor: Shanahan hinted long ago at practice-squad future, but he could be No. 1 punt returner opening night if they fear how Cowing might debut.

UNDERDOG

Ronnie Bell: Started camp strong before a barrage of drops rehashed bad memories from 2023 rookie year.

Robbie Chosen: Added midway into camp, could steal roster spot or bide time on practice squad with 379-career catches.

Danny Gray: This 2022 third-round pick still looks raw in system after one-catch rookie year; spent 2023 on Injured Reserve.

Tay Martin: After two years on the practice squad, he knows the system, and they know him.

Jontre Kirkland: Added midway through camp as reinforcement to injury-strewn corps.

TIGHT END

LOCK

George Kittle: Looks in peak, All-Pro form six months removed from core-muscle surgery. Made three great catches Friday in Vegas.

Eric Saubert: Bona fide blocking tight end made seamless transition to system as Kittle’s best wingman.

PROBABLE

Brayden Willis: Growing pains still evident but this 2023 seventh-rounder looks like a keeper.

UNDERDOG

Jake Tonges: Said Shanahan: “He’s taken advantage of his opportunities. … He’s going to make this decision tough for us.” Caught all nine preseason targets. Local kid (Los Gatos) made good.

Logan Thomas: Re-signed Thursday after early-camp hamstring strain curtailed his availability.

Cam Latu: This 2023 third-rounder likely needs another year to develop in the win-now NFL. Too many mental mistakes, poor blocks.

Mason Pline: Undrafted rookie could make for a fascinating product, if other tight ends don’t fill practice squad.

OFFENSIVE LINE

LOCK

LT Trent Williams: All-Pro held out through preseason; on reserve list so doesn’t count on 53-man roster yet and that helps with Tuesday’s roster moves.

LG Aaron Banks: Injured in Aug. 16 practice, he required pinky surgery, should be OK for Week 1. Are we sure he didn’t hurt his knee, too?

C Jake Brendel: Workload lightened to help his knees, looks primed to resume as Purdy’s batterymate. Blocked well Friday.

RG Dominick Puni: Third-round sleeper won starting job after taking all first-string snaps at right guard since Day 3 of camp.

RT Colton McKivitz: His improved confidence got tested all camp against Nick Bosa, Leonard Floyd.

T Jaylon Moore: Praised as Williams’ stunt man at left tackle but still a considerable dropoff.

PROBABLE

T Chris Hubbard: Right tackle seen as his better spot so 49ers worked him at left tackle as potential swing tackle.

G/C Nick Zakelj: Recovered from last November’s biceps tear to emerge as trusted backup on interior.

G Jarrett Kingston: Sixth-round pick showed strength as likely backup, more so at guard than tackle.

G Spencer Burford: Fractured hand two practices into camp, avoided surgery but kept out of full-team drills.

UNDERDOG

G/C Jon Feliciano: Tenth-year veteran required knee surgery, heads to Injured Reserve but may return.

G/C Ben Bartch: Opened camp as potential No. 1 backup on interior but may not end camp that way.

C Drake Nugent: Undrafted, undersized rookie is best center behind Brendel, likely off to practice squad.

RT Brandon Parker: Former Raiders starter hasn’t pushed McKivitz enough through up-and-down camp.

G Lewis Kidd: Mid-camp reinforcement who moved up pecking order with Banks’ recent injury.

T Isaac Alarcon: Practice-squad spot secure via NFL’s international program but keeps working after practice.

G/T Sebastian Gutierrez: Nearly stole the show with his hustle on Friday’s Hail Mordecai ending. Toiled on the lower-string units through camp.

DEFENSIVE LIVE

LOCK

Nick Bosa: A camp holdout last year, he’s been a healthy savage all camp.

Leonard Floyd: Sprained his right knee in first-quarter collision Friday, and 49ers hoping he upholds strong reputation as durable, professional pass rusher.

Javon Hargrave: Shown better burst, could benefit big-time from Collins’ addition.

Maliek Collins: Massive, athletic presence will stuff run and top 2023 career-high of five sacks.

Yetur Gross-Matos: Hurt his knee two snaps before Floyd on Friday. If OK, he could capitalize in relief when offensive tackles exhale without facing Bosa, Floyd.

Jordan Elliott: Top interior backup looks like a sneaky steal after four years on Browns.

PROBABLE

Kevin Givens: Showed up five years as undrafted rookie and still battling to win roster spots.

Robert Beal Jr.: Needs to take Year 2 leap because he’s fourth-best defensive end on premier unit. In 114 preseason snaps, he had one quarterback hit, no sacks, one fumble recovery.

UNDERDOG

Alex Barrett: His motor, knowledge and determination could be summoned into rotation at some point.

T.Y. McGill: Veteran presence on practice squad past two seasons, could yield that role to youngster.

Shakel Brown: Signed after May tryout, he’s flashed at times but not enough to make the 53.

Evan Anderson: Undrafted rookie commanded $280,000 guaranteed but no lock for practice squad.

Jonathan Garvin: UFL export has had just two weeks on roster so not enough time to shine.

Sam Okuayinonu: Their most undersized defensive end (6-foot-1, 269 pounds) delivered a last-minute sack against the Raiders.

Nick Williams: This 34-year-old veteran was late addition, had career-best year on 2019 Bears with Floyd.

Kalia Davis: Surgery from preseason-opening knee injury will keep him out until at least midseason.

LINEBACKERS

LOCK

Fred Warner: Unanimous All-Pro last season, Warner missed some camp with foot issue but looks OK.

*Dre Greenlaw: Look for him to come off PUP by midseason if Achilles rehab progresses well.

De’Vondre Campbell: Look for veteran to fill-in for Greenlaw at weakside spot or a strong-side cameos.

Dee Winters: Showed speed and physicality but also growing-pain moments in preseason.

PROBABLE

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles: First arrived in 2019 as converted safety. Now Warner’s backup. Or is he?

Jalen Graham: His feistiness nearly led to camp scuffles, looks ready to make impact in Year 2.

UNDERDOG

Curtis Robinson: Has poured lot of work into learning all linebackers spots; just not a draft pick.

Tatum Bethune: Final pick of this year’s draft crop likely could make it onto practice squad. Had team-high 20 tackles, two for loss in preseason.

CORNERBACKS

LOCK

Charvarius Ward: Due a $12.5 million salary, he didn’t hold out and will command way more in free agency.

Deommodore Lenoir: Inside/outside versatility has career skyrocketing, will get tested Game 1 by Aaron Rodgers.

Renardo Green: Second-round draft pick panning out in sticky coverage as inside or outside option.

Isaac Yiadom: Pushed for starting right cornerback job before ankle issue, should be top-three corner.

PROBABLE

Darrell Luter Jr.: Flashed at times in camp and made fourth-down interception in end zone in Vegas, helping him rebound from Super Bowl punt snafu there.

Rock Ya-Sin: Came on strong in recent weeks to seemingly secure a job, on roster or practice squad.

UNDERDOG

Sam Womack III: Makes more plays on special teams than at cornerback, but that may not be bad thing.

Chase Lucas: When he’s made a play, he’s been vocal about it, but perhaps not enough to stick.

Ambry Thomas: Fractured forearm in preseason opener in what could be his final game in 49ers uniform.