Niner Noise
FanSided

Power ranking 49ers 2019 NFL Draft class after first 3 weeks

By Peter Panacy

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 9
Next
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 24: Tight end Kaden Smith #89 of the San Francisco 49ers in action during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 24: Tight end Kaden Smith #89 of the San Francisco 49ers in action during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

42. . . . Kaden Smith. 8. player

So much for a possible “what could have been.”

Granted, sixth-round NFL Draft picks don’t have the easiest of roads to an active 53-man roster. But former Stanford tight end Kaden Smith, whom the 49ers grabbed in Round 6, seemed to be a likely addition entering training camp.

Smith wasn’t going to unseat Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle, of course. But winning a spot over fellow tight ends Levine Toilolo or Ross Dwelley seemed possible.

The only problem, however, was Smith didn’t exactly do a lot during camp and the preseason. Dwelley, meanwhile, earned praise from head coach Kyle Shanahan towards the end of the 2019 exhibition phase.

Smith was listed as an inactive to start the season, only to be waived once the Niners needed to add running back Jeff Wilson.

The New York Giants subsequently claimed Smith, adding him to their own roster.