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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting 5 Long Shots Who Make the 2016 53-Man Roster

By Peter Panacy

Nov 28, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Devon Cajuste (89) catches a pass as Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Cole Luke (36) defends in the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Devon Cajuste (89) catches a pass as Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Cole Luke (36) defends in the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 6, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Alex Balducci (56) celebrates with Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Arik Armstead (9) against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Alex Balducci (56) celebrates with Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Arik Armstead (9) against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: OL Alex Balducci

The 49ers asked undrafted free-agent pickup Alex Balducci to switch from defensive line to offensive line after being signed, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.

And it’s been a natural transition, according to head coach Chip Kelly, who also worked with Balducci at the University of Oregon.

“Alex is kind of built like a prototypical offensive lineman,” Kelly said. “I think he’s got really good feet and is very athletic, so I think it was a natural maneuver.”

The 49ers aren’t going to ask Balducci to be an everyday starter in 2016. That’s a little too lofty, even for the boldest of predictions. But where Balducci does fit is as a backup center to likely starter Daniel Kilgore.

Why does this make sense?

Well, current backup center, Marcus Martin, posted a minus-45.6 grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required) and, if Martin doesn’t show any desired improvement during camp and the preseason, he could be on his way out and Balducci wins the backup role by default.

San Francisco doesn’t have a deep pool of centers from which to choose, so the situation could open up for the former Oregon defensive lineman.

Next: No. 4: CB Chris Davis