Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting the 5 most surprising roster cuts of 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 01: Joshua Garnett #65 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after Shaun Draughn #24 of the San Francisco 49ers ran in for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 01: Joshua Garnett #65 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after Shaun Draughn #24 of the San Francisco 49ers ran in for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to avoid the tackle of Tarvarus McFadden #4 of the Florida State Seminoles in the first half during the Capitol One Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to avoid the tackle of Tarvarus McFadden #4 of the Florida State Seminoles in the first half during the Capitol One Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Cornerback Tarvarus McFadden

It was a bit of a shock to see former Florida State cornerback Tarvarus McFadden go undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. Especially with his NFL.com draft profile suggesting he’d be a fifth- or sixth-round pickup.

At any rate, the 49ers inked McFadden as an UDFA to a contract with $90,000 in guaranteed money — the largest among all UDFAs to that point this offseason:

The Niners have some question marks about cornerback depth this season. And the 6-foot-2, 204-pound McFadden has the body type San Francisco likes for the position.

Yet the one major issue is McFadden’s speed. He ran a slowish 4.67 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine, and most defensive backs need to be around the 4.5 mark here.

But McFadden’s upside is enough to keep him around on NFL rosters, particularly as a depth option or potential starter if he can work on his recovery speed.

Still, those hopes may not be enough. And despite all the positive traits he displays, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 49ers cut him after the preseason and hope they can stash him on the practice squad for further development.