With just one preseason game left, we’re nearing one of the toughest moments in the NFL calendar—roster cutdown day. As the San Francisco 49ers prepare for this deadline following their second preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, several players might be facing an uncertain future.
Here’s a look at three players who could be in jeopardy of losing their spots on the Niners’ roster after Sunday’s win over New Orleans.
Trent Taylor
The 49ers re-signed Trent Taylor, their 2017 fifth-round pick, partly to compete for a return man role, a position he regularly filled after leaving San Francisco in 2020. However, Taylor’s performance has been underwhelming. In the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, he failed to make an impact in the return game. His struggles continued against the Saints, where he managed only two catches for 12 yards on five targets, often failing to create separation and dropping a sure touchdown late in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, rookie Jacob Cowing, a fourth-round pick, excelled as both a receiver and punt returner. Veteran Chris Conley has also solidified his place as a key special teamer and occasional receiver, making Taylor’s disappointing showing against New Orleans all the more concerning. It seems increasingly likely that there’s no room for Taylor on the final roster.
Cameron Latu
At first glance, Cameron Latu’s numbers don’t look bad—three catches on five targets for 30 yards. But a closer look reveals familiar issues, including difficulty in separating downfield and a continued problem with drops. The 2023 third-round pick dropped another pass against the Saints, raising further questions about his reliability.
Beyond his on-field performance, Latu’s limited use in special teams is telling. He played in the second half but saw only seven snaps, four of which were during field goal and extra point attempts. The 49ers’ apparent lack of trust in Latu for kick coverage duties is a significant red flag, especially given that he needed a standout performance to secure his spot. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, making it seem unlikely that Latu will make the final cut.
Chase Lucas
The 49ers have already released one free agent signed for his special teams potential, linebacker Ezekiel Turner, and Chase Lucas could be next. Although Lucas didn’t perform poorly against the Saints, his position as a slot corner and core special teams player might be in jeopardy due to the emergence of Darrell Luter Jr.
Luter, a former fifth-round pick, was impressive in pass coverage and contributed to securing the win with his defensive play. He also played nearly as many special teams snaps as Lucas and was one of only three 49ers to record a special teams tackle.
With Luter stepping up and five other corners likely secure in their roster spots, Lucas might find himself on the outside looking in.
