Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Grading each rookie NFL Draft pick after 2019 season

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) /
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Kaden Smith, Giants
Kaden Smith #82 of the New York Giants (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

D. . Tight End. Round 6. KADEN SMITH

There is only one player from the 49ers’ 2019 NFL Draft class no longer with the team: former Stanford tight end Kaden Smith, who didn’t make San Francisco’s regular-season roster and was subsequently claimed by the New York Giants in September.

The 49ers were pretty stockpiled at the position behind George Kittle, watching as a training camp battle took place between fellow tight ends Smith, Levine Toilolo and Ross Dwelley.

Dwelley turned the majority of heads in camp, while Smith was mostly a non-factor, rarely triggering any practice-report news or showcasing a lot of potential impact abilities during his preseason campaigns.

The team’s decision to move on from Smith could be seen as premature, as Smith managed 268 yards and three touchdowns with the Giants his rookie season.

But if his presence in camp pushed Dwelley to make the roster — and Dwelley had some key moments this season — it’s not all terrible, nor is it a complete waste.