3 defenders, and one tight end.
The San Francisco 49ers personnel department will keep a close eye on roster cuts around the NFL as teams trim their rosters ahead of Week 1. Some have already begun.
For example, the New England Patriots released former 49ers defensive tackle Mike Purcell. The 328-pounder may not have the same value as when he entered the league, but he is a veteran presence who could help fill Kalia Davis’s role.
Here’s a look at four players on the bubble around the NFL who could help the Niners. Understand that most of these players will come with a risk and are being released or on the roster bubble for a reason.
James Houston, Edge – Lions
Perusing the internet, some Lions’ beat writers have Houston either on the outside looking in or as the last player to make the roster. Dan Campbell is also looking for a versatile defender who can contribute against the run. That has yet to work out. Houston had tremendous success as a rookie, but injuries have hurt him and out of sight out of mind is the last place you want to be in August when you are on the bubble.
Houston did not play in Week 2 of the preseason. He should return in Week 3, but if he is a no-show, he could receive a pink slip.
A reclamation project for Kris Kocurek, you say?
Two seasons ago, Houston had had sacks as a rookie and seven tackles for loss. He’s undersized at 241 pounds, which is likely the cause of frustration for Houston’s lack of growth since 2022. But Alex Barrett is probably the next man up after Nick Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and Yetur Gross-Matos.
Cole Turner, TE – Commanders
Turner is caught up in a numbers game in Washington after they signed Zach Ertz and drafted Ben Sinnott in the second round. The fifth-rounder from the 2022 NFL Draft played in the first three games of the season last year but didn’t make an impact in another game until late in the season, and that was in a blowout game.
Turner has something the 49ers covet at tight end: Size. He’s 6’7 and 249 pounds. If the 49ers aren’t satisfied with the tight ends on the roster, Turner could be another Washington tight end they go after.
Raekwon McMillan, LB – Patriots
McMillan is another player who was limited during training camp. He wore a non-contact jersey in the Patriots most recent practice. He’s more of a thumper-type linebacker who is excellent against the run and could be what the 49ers need while Dre Greenlaw heals.
McMillan could slide in at SAM if the team isn’t comfortable playing Dee Winters, Curtis Robinson, or Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles on the strong side.
Injuries have been an issue, which is why he’s on the roster bubble. McMillan tore his ACL as a rookie in the first preseason game. He missed the final three games the following year due to a hamstring injury. He tore his ACL again in 2021 and suffered an Achilles injury that caused him to miss 2023. There might be a giant red X on his name by the personnel team, but you only need his services in the short term.
McMillan has the type of mentality and aggression you want in a linebacker. He’s the ideal run defender and has yet to miss a tackle in the preseason on 40 snaps.
Phidarian Mathis, DT – Commanders
Washington over-drafted Mathis in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama. It was a bizarre pick at the time, and it looks worse now that he has yet to record a sack or tackle for a loss in two seasons. At 6’4, 310 pounds, Mathis could serve as a rotational player to spell Javon Hargrave. Currently, his competition is Kevin Givens and T.Y. McGill since Kalia Davis won’t return until midseason.
Mathis has something in common with the rest of this group. He missed an entire season with a knee injury, so he has yet to prove he can stay on the field early in his career. The 49ers would be buying low on a depth piece at a position where they could use contributors.