Three San Francisco 49ers who may have lost their jobs in preseason victory over the New Orleans Saints

With only one preseason game remaining, we're approaching one of the most difficult parts of the NFL calendar.

Roster cutdown day is rapidly approaching and, after the San Francisco 49ers' second preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, there are several players for whom that date is looking particularly ominous.

Here I assess three players who may have lost their jobs with the Niners after Sunday's victory over New Orleans.

Trent Taylor

The 49ers brought back Taylor, their 2017 fifth-round pick, in part to compete for a position as a return man having regularly served in that role since leaving San Francisco in 2020.

But Taylor did not shine in that facet of the game in the preseason opener with the Tennessee Titans, and his efforts as a receiver against the Saints suggested there is little reason to keep him around.

Taylor had just two catches for 12 yards on five catches, often struggling to separate and dropping a certain touchdown late in the second quarter.

His struggles came in a game that saw rookie fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing shine as both a receiver and punt returner. With veteran Chris Conley having earned the 49ers' trust as a key special teamer and occasional contributor in the receiving game, Taylor's disappointing game against New Orleans hammered home the point that there is little reason to waste a roster spot on keeping him around.

Cameron Latu

On the surface, Latu's numbers don't look at all bad. Three catches on five targets for 30 yards represents a respectable outing.

But the areas where Latu struggled were familiar, a difficultly to separate working downfield and, crucially, a persistent problem with drops, the 2023 third-round pick committing another as he continues to demonstrate inconsistent hands.

Beyond his play on the field, the bad signs were there for Latu in how he was used. He played in the second half, but was used lightly on special teams. Four of his seven snaps were on field goal and extra point attempts.

The 49ers clearly don't trust Latu to be a part of their kick coverage team, and that is a huge issue for his prospects of making the roster after a rookie year ruined by injury. Latu needed to produce something spectacular, the fact that didn't happen makes him seem a long shot to make the cut.

Chase Lucas

The 49ers have already parted with one free agent signed for their impact on special teams this preseason, letting go of linebacker Ezekiel Turner , and Lucas may soon find himself facing the same fate.

Lucas didn't stand out as a poor performer against the Saints, but the slot corner and prospective core special teamer may find himself as an odd man out because of how impressive Darrell Luter Jr. was in coverage , the former fifth-round pick helping ice the game with his play in pass defense.

Luter only played one fewer snap than Lucas on special teams and was one of only three 49ers to register a special teams tackle.

With a player in whom the 49ers invested draft capital rising to the occasion and with five other corners likely already sure of a place on the depth chart, things are looking bleak for Lucas.

Related: Three San Francisco 49ers who may have saved their jobs in preseason win over the New Orleans Saints