49ers Cut Ties with Five Players After Mandatory Minicamp

San Francisco, CA – June 16, 2025

The 49ers have made their first wave of roster cuts following the conclusion of mandatory minicamp, signaling a shift in direction as the team prepares for the 2025 campaign. In a series of moves that balance youth, health, and strategic depth, San Francisco has released five players—each of whom once showed flashes but ultimately fell short of carving out a lasting role.

The most notable name on the list is offensive lineman Spencer Burford, a former starter whose struggles in pass protection throughout 2024 became too difficult to overlook. Despite once being penciled in as a building block, Burford's inconsistency and inability to adapt to shifting roles along the interior line made him expendable. With rookie Dominick Puni showing strong promise and veteran Ben Bartch pushing hard in camp, Burford found himself on the outside looking in.

Another casualty of the roster crunch is wide receiver Danny Gray, who never quite found his footing in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Gray, known for his straight-line speed, battled injuries and had just one reception in two years. With a wide receiver room now featuring Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, rookie Ricky Pearsall, and explosive additions like Jacob Cowing and Demarcus Robinson, there was simply no room left for potential that never materialized.

Safety Tayler Hawkins, who spent most of his time on the practice squad or inactive, was also let go. While the 49ers invested in him as a developmental piece, the emergence of rookies Malik Mustapha and Marques Sigle, alongside Ji’Ayir Brown and newly signed Richie Grant, created a crowded safety room with more upside and versatility.

At the running back position, Patrick Taylor Jr. was released in a move that reflects a philosophical shift. While Taylor brought size and experience, he lacked the explosiveness that newer backs like Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James have shown in offseason workouts. With Christian McCaffrey firmly entrenched as RB1, the battle for backup reps is now a sprint among younger, faster contenders.

Lastly, tight end Ross Dwelley—a fan favorite and longtime depth piece—was let go after falling behind in the competition. With George Kittle entrenched, and younger options like Brayden Willis and Luke Farrell offering better blocking and more special teams versatility, Dwelley’s role had all but disappeared. The move also opens the door for undrafted standout Mason Pline to potentially steal a roster spot.

“We’re always grateful for what these guys gave us, but at the end of the day, we have to make decisions that get us closer to a championship,” said one team source.

While none of these cuts come as a shock, they underscore the 49ers’ commitment to reshaping the bottom of their roster. San Francisco appears to be targeting a more aggressive, durable, and scheme-versatile depth chart—one capable of enduring a long season and supporting another Super Bowl push.

One line takeaway: The 49ers just sent a clear message—this team is prioritizing future upside over past contributions.