The San Francisco 49ers are facing a crowded waiver landscape as they trim their roster from 90 players down to 53 by the August 26 deadline, with more than 40 players potentially headed to waivers in the lead-up to final cuts.
Rookies and familiar faces on rookie deals are expected to be safest, including wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams. If any of the players on the list are waived this week, they’ll enter the NFL’s waiver wire pool and could be claimed by another team. Those not claimed can still land on the 49ers’ 16-man practice squad, which is typically finalized the day after the cut deadline.
Players potentially subject to waivers
– WR Junior Bergen
– LB Stone Blanton
– CB Derrick Canteen
– OL Connor Colby
– DL Alfred Collins
– RB Jordan James
– LB Nick Martin
– OL Drew Moss
– CB Jakob Robinson
– S Marques Sigle
– CB Upton Stout
– DL Sebastian Valdez
– WR Jordan Watkins
– DL C.J. West
– DL Mykel Williams
– OL Isaac Alarcon
– DL Jaylon Allen
– QB Carter Bradley
– DL William Bradley-King
– S Jaylen Mahoney
– QB Tanner Mordecai
– OL Drake Nugent
– WR Terique Owens
– OL Austen Pleasants
– DL Evan Anderson
– LB Tatum Bethune
– DL Shakel Brown
– WR Jacob Cowing
– CB Renardo Green
– RB Isaac Guerendo
– WR Ricky Pearsall
– OL Dominick Puni
– DL Robert Beal Jr.
– S Ji’Ayir Brown
– LB Jalen Graham
– CB Chase Lucas
– CB Darrell Luter Jr.
– K Jake Moody
– DL Sam Okuayinonu
– TE Jake Tonges
– TE Brayden Willis
Understanding NFL waivers
As teams finalize preseason rosters, players can be waived or released. A waived player is placed on the waiver wire, where teams can submit claims to take on the player’s current contract. Waiver claims are filed simultaneously, and the team with the highest priority claim secures the player. The waiver order currently follows the 2025 NFL Draft order, with no trades included.
Key distinction based on NFL service time
– Players with four or more accrued seasons are typically released outright and become free agents.
– Players with fewer than four years of service are waived and enter the waiver wire. If unclaimed, they can sign with any team, including their former team’s practice squad.
– Players with less than three years of service fall under Exclusive Rights Free Agent status, and those with three years are considered Restricted Free Agents in certain situations.
Waiver order and what happens next
– The waiver order during the preseason and the first three weeks of the regular season mirrors the 2025 draft order. After four games, it resets to current standings.
– The 49ers will await waiver outcomes and then decide who can be claimed, who clears waivers, and who can be kept on the practice squad.
– If a player clears waivers, they’re eligible to sign with any team, including their former club’s practice squad, subject to that club’s interpretation of rosters and rules.
What this means for the 49ers
– The roster battle is as much about development as it is about depth. Plenty of players on this list are on rookie contracts or have limited NFL service time, making them prime candidates to land on the practice squad if they clear waivers.
– For San Francisco, the priority is preserving flexibility while giving young players a pathway to prove themselves. The team will likely lean on a mix of veterans who can contribute immediately and promising youngsters who can grow.
– The most secure bets among rookies and players with limited service time will be watched closely by evaluators, both for immediate impact in practice and potential future contributions.
Looking ahead
– If the 49ers can identify a core group that can contribute on special teams and provide depth at multiple positions, they’ll be better positioned to weather injuries and mid-season challenges.
– The practice squad will be a critical safety valve, enabling the team to rotate players in and out as needed while continuing development.
A hopeful note
As the preseason progresses, the 49ers have an opportunity to convert promising prospects into long-term contributors. The waiver process, while demanding, offers multiple paths for players to find a role elsewhere or with the team’s own practice squad, giving the organization a flexible path to a strong, versatile roster for the season ahead.
Summary
The 49ers face a substantial cut-down battle with more than 40 players potentially entering waivers. Rookies and players with limited service time will be watched closely, both for potential immediate claims and for possible placements on the practice squad. The ultimate goal is to balance immediate competitiveness with long-term development, leveraging the waiver mechanism to maximize the roster’s upside.