The 49ers’ roster is unquestionably talented at the top. Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Fred Warner, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Javon Hargrave… and that’s leaving out a handful of other stellar players.
Still, there are some questions at the fringes. Who will replace Azeez Al-Shaair as the WILL linebacker? Will any corners, wide receivers or tight ends step up for the final roster spots? Could there be a late-round rookie surprise?
Matt Maiocco doesn’t think so.
He joined Murph and Mac on Thursday morning after the 49ers’ OTAs and minicamps concluded and was asked whether any undrafted rookies stood out.
It was too early to tell, Maiocco said. But he thinks they’ll have their work cut out for them.
“Here’s how I’d answer that in a very non-judgmental way,” Maiocco said. “I think it’s gonna be difficult for the last, the sixth-, seventh-round picks to make the team for the 49ers. With the level of their roster, it’s going to be a chore. I would not suspect that any of the undrafted guys would make the 53-man. There could be someone who kind of comes out of nowhere and surprises and earns a roster spot, but boy, I just don’t see it at this point.”
San Francisco made four picks in the final two rounds of the draft, selecting linebacker Dee Winters (216 overall), tight end Brayden Willis (247 overall), wide receiver Ronnie Bell (253 overall) and linebacker Jalen Graham (255 overall).
The 49ers also signed a host of undrafted free agents. In a crowded group, one intrigues Maiocco more than the others: fullback Jack Colletto out of Oregon State.
“He’s probably the most interesting guy because he can do it all,” Maiocco said. “He is a quarterback, tight end, fullback, linebacker. Basically anything they want him to be he can be. Big special teams contributor. He’s a kind of guy that I would think that will be on the practice squad to open the season and then with this new practice squad flex rule, if something were to happen. If Kyle Juszczyk had to miss a game or something, potentially Colletto could could jump in there and and play a few snaps. He would be kind of the guy to keep an eye on and that it’ll be interesting to watch, especially in the preseason.”
Colletto and the rest of the 49ers’ young crop of late- and undrafted free agents won’t get an opportunity to prove themselves for about seven weeks. The 49ers are expected to start training camp in late July and travel to Las Vegas for joint practices before their first preseason game.
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