The 49ers on Tuesday announced the signing of nine players from the 2020 undrafted rookie pool. Along with the five player draft class, that puts 14 rookies on the 49ers’ 90-man roster.
Here are the nine undrafted free agent signees:
DB DeMarkus Acy, Missouri
DL Darrion Daniels, Nebraska
WR Chris Finke, Notre Dame
LB Jonas Griffith, Indiana State
TE Chase Harrell, Nebraska
RB JaMycal Hasty, Baylor
FB Josh Hokit, Fresno State
S Jared Mayden, Alabama
QB Broc Rutter, North Central
The club is also expected to sign Washington running back Salvon Ahmed. He was among the reported signings, but wasn’t on the official list. San Francisco has 89 players on their roster without Ahmed.
The 49ers have had a lot of success with undrafted free agents during Kyle Shanahan’s tenure as head coach. This year’s iteration of the team won’t have as many openings on its roster, which will limit some of the opportunities the undrafted players have.
Key names to watch will be the running backs, Ahmed and Hasty. Matt Breida was traded to the Dolphins for a fifth-round pick on the third day of the draft, so a new running back will have a chance to make an impact, especially if Jerick McKinnon isn’t 100 percent healthy.
Rutter will also have a shot to make the roster if he can step in and perform well in camp. CJ Beathard is in the final year of his rookie deal, and Nick Mullens isn’t signed through next season. The 49ers may be aiming to find a new, viable backup quarterback for Jimmy Garoppolo.
Perhaps the most difficult climb for a UDFA will be at fullback and receiver. Hokit and Finke are probably practice squad candidates if they play well in whatever offseason the NFL puts together. It’s hard to envision them cracking the roster at those positions though given where the 49ers’ roster sits going into the year.