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49ers training camp: 5 UDFAs with best chance to make 53-man roster

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 11: LaMichael James #23 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball during Rookie Minincamp at the San Francisco 49ers practice facility on May 11, 2012 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 11: LaMichael James #23 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball during Rookie Minincamp at the San Francisco 49ers practice facility on May 11, 2012 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 28: Lorenzo Jerome MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 28: Lorenzo Jerome #22 of the North team intercepts the ball as O.J. Howard #88 of the South team defends during the first half of the Reese’s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 28: Lorenzo Jerome MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 28: Lorenzo Jerome #22 of the North team intercepts the ball as O.J. Howard #88 of the South team defends during the first half of the Reese’s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Safety Lorenzo Jerome

Perhaps the undrafted rookie with the best shot to make the 53-man roster in Week 1 is defensive back Lorenzo Jerome.

Jerome has been one of a number of defensive standouts for the 49ers during training camp. And he’s fully taken advantage of injuries to fellow safeties Jimmie Ward, Eric Reid and Jaquiski Tartt.

These injuries have allowed Jerome to take snaps with the first-team defense at camp, per Niners Nation’s Jennifer Lee Chan:

Jerome has been something of a turnover-generating machine during camp practices. And while this is nothing like on-field action, the rookie’s ability to showcase ballhawk mentality gives San Francisco’s defense a look it hasn’t had for some time.

While the aforementioned injuries don’t appear to be too serious, it’s looking tougher and tougher to keep Jerome off the 53-man roster come this season.

He’ll likely be there, and that’s looking to be a good thing for the 49ers.

Next: Predicting 10 surprising 49ers roster cuts after 2017 preseason

Stay tuned to Niner Noise as we continue to give you updates and analysis from training camp.