The San Francisco 49ers are hoping to field the best possible team this season. The path is clear: get back to the playoffs and somehow, return to the Super Bowl. That's the goal for this team, who still boast one of the NFL's top defenses and a quarterback flirting with the cusp of superstardom. Getting the best team possible to make that happen is the priority.
That means that some guys who may make the team usually, or make some other team, may end up getting cut. Looking through the 49ers' roster, there are a few positions, like receiver, offensive line, and another position group, that have guys who are on the border of being cut or retained.
The Niners' defense's most important position is the front four. The team has Nick Bosa and just drafted Mykel Williams in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Yetur Gross-Matos, Bryce Huff, and Robert Beal Jr. back up Williams and Bosa. They also have Sam Okuayinonu.
49ers DL Sam Okuayinonu Likely Won't Make 53-Man Roster
Of all the names on the front four, some 49ers fans and experts seem to think that Okuayinonu will make the cut, albeit just barely. It's very likely, however, that he's not one of the names on the team come the end of camp. Gross-Matos has proven to be a good pass rusher off the bench, while Huff came over from the Eagles, just two seasons removed from a 10-sack season with the New York Jets.
When there's that kind of talent behind Bosa and Williams, and a guy in Beal who's every bit as valuable as Okuayinonu, you can see how it'd be very possible, if not likely, that the journeymen talent doesn't stick around long. After all, he came to the Tennessee Titans in 2022 and only lasted a season as a regular contributor. He played 16 games last season, but only three as a starter.
So the 49ers may be looking at a scenario where youth and talent-focused on pass rushing will end up being the reason Okuayinonu doesn't make the roster. If he's cut, San Francisco fans can't say it'll be a total surprise.