The San Francisco 49ers are set to sign safety Obi Melifonwu, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Since Melifonwu has not played in an NFL game since 2018, it would seem most likely that he will agree to a futures contract that will help the 49ers fill out their roster through the offseason before getting an opportunity to compete in training camp.
Melifonwu was a four-year starter at the University of Connecticut who entered the 2017 NFL Draft. A big, athletic safety, his draft stock exploded after an incredible combine performance. The Oakland Raiders selected him in the second round.
However, almost immediately, Melifonwu struggled to see the field in Oakland. As a rookie, he appeared in just five games and recorded only seven tackles before suffering a season-ending hip injury that required surgery. Released by the Raiders before his second season, Melifonwu had a two-game stint in 2018 with the New England Patriots but has been out of the league since.
