CFL Draft: 5 players the 49ers must watch for in 2021

By Nathan Bannerman | May 14, 2021

A large Canadian flag prior to the Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats game (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /

2 of 6

No. 5: Jake Burt was on an NFL practice roster in 2020 before declaring for the CFL Draft, which could benefit a team like the 49ers

With the first pick in the 2021 CFL Draft, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats selected tight end, Jake Burt, from Boston College. He’s 24 years old out of Regina, Saskatchewan.

Scouting Report:

"A late addition to the draft when it was discovered that he was born in Regina, Burt spent the 2020 season on the practice roster of the New England Patriots, but was not retained after the year ended. He’s a tenacious blocker with some ability as a downfield passing threat, though some question if he is as athletic as he says he is."

The tight end position is one of the most underappreciated positions on the field. The 49ers witnessed it last season when George Kittle and Jordan Reed went down with injuries.

Burt already has a bit of NFL experience, even if it’s just on a practice roster, previously with the New England Patriots. He knows the grind of a typical season and could use the CFL as leverage to boost his stock.

He’ll have to work on his downfield catching to fit in with San Francisco. However, the CFL is a pass-happy league, and it could benefit the first-overall pick for the future.