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6 49ers who improved roster chances in preseason win vs. Chiefs

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. #41 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball during the second half of a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. #41 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball during the second half of a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Quarterback Kevin Hogan #9 of the Denver Broncos runs for a touchdown as linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair #46 of the San Francisco 49ers gives chase during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Quarterback Kevin Hogan #9 of the Denver Broncos runs for a touchdown as linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair #46 of the San Francisco 49ers gives chase during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair

It’s almost always a hard road for undrafted rookies to make a 53-man roster cut their first season at the NFL level.

But the Niners have had some luck here in recent seasons, namely with 2017 undrafted free agents, running back Matt Breida and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.

In 2019, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair could be the next example.

Al-Shaair has primarily been working with the third-string unit this preseason, which still doesn’t bode well for his roster chances. Yet he’s made the most of his opportunities, already posting 11 tackles over three exhibition games, including two more in Kansas City Saturday night.

Pro Football Focus gave him a respectable 72.1 overall grade before Saturday, too, suggesting he’s at least worth some consideration.

Al-Shaair showed some ranginess during that contest. And while San Francisco seems to already have its primary linebacker group figured out, as well as a likely good number of its backups, Al-Shaair has done arguably all he could do to put himself squarely in the equation, both on defense and on special teams.

He’ll probably end up seeing a good chunk of field time during the 49ers’ final preseason bout on Thursday against the Los Angeles Chargers, which could go a long way in determining whether or not he makes the cut.