49ers’ 53-man roster: A player-by-player look, from Jimmy G to Taybor Pepper

SANTA CLARA – Keeping Jimmy Garoppolo aboard the 53-man roster was not the only surprise when it came to the 49ers — nor their quarterback room.

Trey Lance will be backed up by both Garoppolo and rookie Brock Purdy, this past draft’s “Mr. Irrelevant” as the 262nd and final pick.

“Credit to Brock how good Brock played this preseason,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. “I thought he was going to be on our practice squad because we were really happy with Nate (Sudfeld). But Brock won that job. We were going to go into the year with him as the No. 2, and we were good with that, because that’s what he earned.

“But for Jimmy to be available and to know we could have Jimmy with that experience in what he’s done in the past and have him come in as the No. 2? We haven’t had a year where the quarterback has played every game – ’19 was the only year – so whoever’s that backup is a huge deal.”

Tuesday marked the NFL deadline to shave roster to their initial 53-man unit. More changes, such as safety Jimmie Ward’s move to injured reserve, will come before the Sept. 11 regular-season opener at Chicago.

Other surprises: six running backs made the cut, including undrafted rookie Jordan Mason; the defensive line bid adieu to edge rushers Jordan Willis and Kemoko Turay; and, the NFL’s best linebacker corps includes three backups but none is undrafted rookie Marcelino McCrary-Ball.

Here are my first impressions of this first edition of the 2022 team:

QUARTERBACK (3)

*Trey Lance: “This is Trey’s team,” Kyle Shanahan declared to open camp. Hasn’t changed.

Jimmy Garoppolo: Shoulder surgery scuttled trade market so he’s back – as a backup.

Brock Purdy: From the NFL Draft’s “Mr. Irrelevant” spot at No. 262, to a NFL roster. Bravo.

Out: Nate Sudfeld

RUNNING BACK (6)

*Elijah Mitchell: Should be 2022 workhorse if his preseason hamstring injury is healed.

*Kyle Juszczyk (FB): Pro Bowler never targeted enough as receiver, likely won’t change.

Jeff Wilson Jr.: His physical prowess sets the tone but he also may have best hands of RBs.

Trey Sermon: His preseason resembled his rookie year: not much to excite anyone.

Ty Davis-Price: Rookie from LSU is a punishing back but is he assignment-sound?

Jordan Mason: The Shanahan system unearths another undrafted rookie gem.

Out: JaMycal Hasty

WIDE RECEIVER (5)

*Deebo Samuel: A pre-camp extension made him happy – and a South Bay homeowner.

*Brandon Aiyuk: Offseason kinship with Lance translated to camp’s most targets/catches.

Jauan Jennings: Kind of a shaky camp with drops but still key in red zone and third downs.

Ray-Ray McCloud: Punt return is his top job but he made acrobatic catch daily in camp.

Danny Gray: Showed his speed on 56-yard TD in preseason opener; will he dress each game?

Out: Malik Turner, Marcus Johnson, Tay Martin, Willie Snead IV

TIGHT END (3)

*George Kittle: Not just NFL’s best blocking TE, he’s been automatic with Lance in camp.

Charlie Woerner: Eased back from core surgery and looks ready for Year 3.

Ross Dwelley: His hands and versatility make him Kittle’s understudy for a fifth season.

Out: Tyler Kroft, Troy Fumagalli

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

*Trent Williams (LT): NFL’s best and highest-paid offensive lineman is 34-year-old All-Pro.

*Aaron Banks (LG): Time to shine for 2021 second-round pick who redshirted as rookie.

*Jake Brendel (C): Trust that he’ll be well prepared for first starting role since 2015 UCLA.

*Spencer Burford (RG): Fourth-round steal from Texas-San Antonio brings juice to the line.

*Mike McGlinchey (RT): Knee pain, 2021 quadriceps surgery are issues until further notice.

Daniel Brunskill (C/G): If hamstring allows, wouldn’t shock if he starts at center or guard.

Colton McKivitz (OT): Cut a year ago, he’s No. 3 tackle, could replace McGlinchey for Week 1.

Jaylon Moore (T/G): Missed most of camp with leg injury but is versatile reserve.

Nick Zakelj (G): Sixth-round pick from Fordham had a quiet camp.

Out: Justin Skule, Jordan Mills, Jason Poe, Keaton Sutherland, Alfredo Gutierrez, Dohnovan West

DEFENSIVE LINE (9)

*Nick Bosa (DE): Prediction: Week 3 defines his NFL Defensive Player of Year candidacy.

*Arik Armstead (DT): Raring to go in Year 8 after knee sprain in camp’s first practice.

*Javon Kinlaw (DE): Lean, mean, ACL-fixed machine makes this unit more of a terror.

*Drake Jackson (DE): Unique flexibility can make an instant impact as second-round steal.

Samson Ebukam (DE): Eager to deliver more after three straight seasons of 4 ½ sacks.

Kerry Hyder Jr. (DE): The 49ers’ 2020 sack leader returns after sleepy year in Seattle.

Kevin Givens (DT): Keeps making strides as interior ace, arrived as 2019 undrafted rookie.

Hassan Ridgeway (DT): Bosa says he’s a “really important piece since we lost D.J. (Jones).”

Charles Omenihu (DE/DT): Versatility to rush both on edge and inside is Arden Key-like.

Out: Jordan Willis, Kemoko Turay, Akeem Spence, Kevin Atkins, Alex Barrett

Reserve/NFI: Kalia Davis.

LINEBACKER (6)

*Fred Warner: Ornery and intense all camp, he’s determined to reclaim All-Pro stature.

*Dre Greenlaw: Ornery and intense all camp, he’s in a contract year.

*Azeez Al-Shaair: Ornery and intense all camp, he’s in a contract year, too.

Oren Burks: Rescued from the Packers’ special teams, he’s can play defense, too.

Curtis Robinson: Groin issue could send him to injured reserve but stay eligible for 2022.

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles: Familiarity with system is more valuable than most realize.

Out: Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Segun Olubi

CORNERBACK (5)

*Charvarius Ward: Ex-Chiefs starter looked like bona fide star until groin issue mid-camp.

*Emmanuel Moseley: Don’t underestimate his hunger to be great in contract year.

Sam Womack III: Fifth-round pick sealed nickel-back role with two INTs in preseason debut.

Deommodore Lenoir: Started first two games last season, now looks capable, again.

Ambry Thomas: Knee issue in joint practices at Minnesota pushed him further off radar.

Out: Qwuantrezz Knight, Tariq Castro-Field, Ken Crawley, Ka’Dar Hollman

Reserve/PUP: Jason Verrett

SAFETY (4)

*Jimmie Ward: Longest-tenured Niner (Year 9) must heal his hamstring to make Week 1.

*Talanoa Hufanga: Oozes so much positivity and, in Year 2, more play-making ability.

Tarvarius Moore: Rebounding well after missing last season with Achilles tear.

George Odum: Key addition to special teams makeover could sub for Ward in lineup.

Out: Dontae Johnson, Tashaun Gipson, Tayler Hawkins

SPECIALISTS (3)

Robbie Gould (K): Only Ray Wersching (190) has more 49ers field goals than RG9 (134).

Mitch Wishnowsky (P): Only Andy Lee (46.2 ypp) has better net average than this Aussie (45.7).

Taybor Pepper (LS): Give him a follow on Twitter or Instagram (@TayborSnapping).