Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Undrafted free agents with best chance to make 2019 roster

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 29: A view of San Francisco 49ers helmets on the bench during their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 29: A view of San Francisco 49ers helmets on the bench during their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Linebacker Josey Jewell #43 of the Iowa Hawkeyes closes in to tackle tight end Tyree Mayfield #85 of the Wyoming Cowboys during the third quarter, on September 2, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Linebacker Josey Jewell #43 of the Iowa Hawkeyes closes in to tackle tight end Tyree Mayfield #85 of the Wyoming Cowboys during the third quarter, on September 2, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

The 49ers brought aboard Stanford tight end Kaden Smith in Round 6 of the NFL Draft, and he stands an excellent chance to challenge the incumbent for the No. 2 spot behind George Kittle, Garrett Celek, during training camp.

Any potential ascent from Smith could easily push the older, more-expensive Celek off the roster once the preseason draws to a close. And for San Francisco, depth options for the No. 3 tight end are about as murky as it gets.

Perhaps this is a good reason why Wyoming’s Tyree Mayfield ends up making the squad. During the opening phase of rookie minicamp, Manfield made an awfully spectacular one-handed grab, reminiscent of the Pro Bowler, Kittle, according to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows:

Note the other thing Barrows says, too: Mayfield was a special teams standout at Wyoming, which boosts his chances to make the 53-man roster significantly.

Sure, one catch won’t completely determine Mayfield’s future. But it’s a darned good start, and he has one of the better outlooks from those on the weaker side of the roster bubble.