The 49ers have had a lot of success with undrafted free agents since 2017 when general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan took over. Because of that, San Francisco’s UDFA signings will always be intriguing. This year’s group carries some additional interest though because their draft class was only five players deep.
We went through each of the undrafted rookies to gauge what they bring to the table, how they might contribute, and what their chances are of making the team.
QB Broc Rutter, North Central College
A truncated offseason may keep Rutter from making any serious waves right away, but his production at Division-III North Central college makes him an intriguing prospect. He threw for 86 touchdowns and just eight interceptions with more than 8,000 yards across his final two seasons. Given that Nick Mullens landed as the team’s backup after joining the club as an undrafted rookie in 2017. It may take a couple years, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Rutter follows a similar path.
Does he make the roster?
No, but he’s at the top of the list of practice squad candidates.
RB Salvon Ahmed, Washington
The 49ers have had a lot of success with undrafted running backs during Kyle Shanahan’s tenure. Ahmed has extremely quick feet and good open field speed. He’d need to be more decisive in the 49ers’ offense though. His penchant for going east to west wouldn’t play well in Shanahan’s scheme. Ahmed averaged 5.7 yards per carry and caught 50 passes across three seasons with the Huskies.
Does he make the roster?
There’s a definite chance, especially if Jerick McKinnon isn’t healthy.
RB JaMycal Hasty, Baylor
Hasty’s limited rushing production in college probably kept him from getting drafted. However, he’s a decisive runner with good quickness and he finishes with a ton of power behind his 5-8, 205-pound frame. Hasty is good in pass protection while also excelling as a receiver out of the backfield. He hauled in 79 receptions in 45 college games.
Does he make the roster?
He has a little better chance than Ahmed to make the club. Of all the UDFAs, Hasty has the best shot at having a legitimate impact in 2020.
FB Josh Hokit, Fresno State
Hokit is interesting because he physically doesn’t look like a fullback. He’s listed at 6-1, 225 pounds, but he looks more slim than that. He’d likely need to add more bulk to his frame if he’s going to do the dirty blocking work a player like Kyle Juszczyk does in the 49ers’ offense. Hokit is a pretty good athlete though. His tape shows a little bit of everything as a runner and receiver. He posted 1,260 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 303 carries, along with 38 catches for 260 yards and a touchdown in four seasons with the Bulldogs.
Does he make the roster?
Not unless Juszczyk is unavailable or the 49ers are expecting to make huge changes to their roster construction.
WR Chris Finke, Notre Dame
There aren’t a ton of spots open in the 49ers’ receiving corps, and the available spots that do exist will have a ton of competition. Finke is probably a slot-only player in the NFL with a 5-9, 186-pound frame. His refined routes and ability to make people miss in space also caters well to the middle of the field where slot receivers tend to operate. Finke caught 106 passes for 1,251 yards and eight touchdowns for the Fighting Irish. He also returned punts and averaged more than 9.0 yards per return the last two years.
Does he make the roster?
It’d take a miracle or the rest of the receivers on the roster badly struggling in camp. Finke is a prime practice squad candidate though.
TE Chase Harrell, Arkansas
Tight ends who are converted wide receivers will always have a chance to thrive in Shanahan’s offense. Harrell has limited experience at tight end though after switching there during his final season of college. He wasn’t particularly productive as a receiver either with 37 catches for 360 yards and three touchdowns. He’s 6-4, 249 pounds though with good enough athleticism to have played on the boundary. He’ll at least get a close look in whatever form of camp the team has.
Does he make the roster?
He actually might if he shows a willingness to block while offering playmaking ability as a pass catcher. The shortened offseason may wind up landing him on the practice squad in Year 1.
DL Darrion Daniels, Nebraska
There’s nothing that jumps out in Daniels’ numbers or tape. The effort is always there though. He’ll likely be a nose tackle in the NFL at 6-3, 311 pounds, although he played multiple interior spots in college. He posted just 2.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss across three seasons with Oklahoma State and one with Nebraska, which doesn’t bode well for his chances to be productive in the professional ranks.
Does he make the roster?
Probably not. There are a ton of players vying for spots on the defensive line and Daniels may not stand out enough.
LB Jonas Griffith, Indiana State
There’s not a starting linebacker job open on the 49ers’ defense, but Griffith will still be a name to watch. He’s athletic for his 6-4, 250-pound frame, and he produced like crazy at the FCS level. In 2018 alone he had 132 tackles. Over his four-year career, Griffith piled up 382 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss and 14.0 sacks. He also had three interceptions and nine pass breakups.
Does he make the roster?
He has as good a chance as any defensive UDFA, especially if he carries special teams value in kick coverage.
CB DeMarkus Acy, Missouri
At 6-1, 195 pounds, Acy profiles well physically for the 49ers’ secondary. He started for three years for the Tigers and posted three interceptions and 23 pass breakups. His physicality jumps out on film, and he has decent ball skills. His size and skill set may be better suited to strong safety, which may be where he winds up sticking.
Does he make the roster?
The 49ers’ depth at cornerback isn’t great, and they didn’t draft one. If Acy stays at corner, he’ll compete for a spot on the back end of the roster.
S Jared Mayden
It’s a little surprising Mayden didn’t get drafted. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked him as his No. 114 overall prospect. Mayden has the skill set to play both safety spots in the 49ers’ defense. He’s super physical behind a 6-foot, 205-pound frame, but he has good ball skills and pulled down four interceptions at Alabama. He doesn’t have a ton of starting experience, but his versatile skill set should get him a very close look.
Does he make the roster?
Mayden probably has the best chance of any UDFA to make the roster as a reserve and special teams contributor.
