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San Francisco 49ers: 5 UDFAs Who Might Make the Roster in 2016

By Rob Lowder

September 12, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Devon Cajuste (89) runs against Central Florida Knights defensive back Shaquill Griffin (10) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 12, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Devon Cajuste (89) runs against Central Florida Knights defensive back Shaquill Griffin (10) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 30, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Alex Balducci (56), linebacker Torrodney Prevot (86) and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) tackle South Dakota Coyotes running back Trevor Bouma (21) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Alex Balducci (56), linebacker Torrodney Prevot (86) and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) tackle South Dakota Coyotes running back Trevor Bouma (21) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex Balducci, DL/OL, Oregon

With the seventh pick of the draft, the 49ers selected DeForest Buckner, defensive end out of Oregon and former teammate of 2015 first-round selection, Arik Armstead.

Photo courtesy of Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Instagram. /

As if reuniting two 6’7″, 300 pound defensive teammates did not seem special enough, Baalke decided to “one up” himself and sign Alex Balducci, the third defensive lineman in the trio that was Armstead, Balducci and Buckner.

Balducci’s signing also comes with somewhat of a twist, as it seems he may play both sides of the ball on the offensive and defensive line, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee:

"Alex Balducci, a former recruit of Chip Kelly’s at Oregon, is being converted from nose tackle to an interior lineman. Balducci measured 6-3, 309 pounds with 33-inch arms in the run-up to the draft, and he didn’t look out-of-place as he went through drills with the offensive linemen."

As mentioned by Barrows, Balducci was recruited by Chip Kelly, giving him an edge over his undrafted competition.

Whether as an offensive or defensive lineman, Balducci’s chances of finding the final 53 seem strong when compared to the remaining undrafted free agents.

Next: The Cal Product