49ers predictions: 5 dark-horse additions to 53-man roster in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers LB Justin Hilliard
Undrafted rookies can often be a theme for dark-horse candidates to make any 53-man roster, and that’ll surely be the case with Ohio State’s Justin Hilliard, who dealt with an array of injuries over his six-year collegiate career.
But Hilliard had a major advocate, in terms of the Niners going after him, his former teammate with the Buckeyes, EDGE Nick Bosa.
Bosa was adamant San Francisco sign Hilliard after the NFL Draft, and the 49ers entertained Bosa’s suggestion by offering the linebacker a pretty lucrative UDFA deal:
The #49ers are signing former Ohio State LB Justin Hilliard to a hefty rookie free-agent deal that includes a $30,000 signing bonus and $95,000 base salary guarantee, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 2, 2021
That’s not usually the kind of money undrafted players see, so that’s a good indication Hilliard could crack the 53-man roster.
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There are a lot of bodies in his way, not even including veterans like Dre Greenlaw and the All-Pro, Fred Warner. Hilliard will have to ensure he wins out over fellow linebackers like Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Nathan Gerry and Jonas Griffith to have a chance.
But by the looks of it early, Hilliard is a strong dark-horse candidate.