49ers roster: 4 most exciting undrafted free agents to watch in 2022

49ers UDFA No. 1: OL Dohnovan West, Arizona State

Of all the Niners’ undrafted free-agent signings after the 2022 NFL Draft, it’s hard to get excited about anyone else other than Arizona State offensive lineman Dohnovan West.

The general consensus was West should have been a Round 4 pickup by someone at the latest, and some mocks out there had him going as early as Round 3.

Well, players slip in the draft all the time, and many find themselves undrafted, too. The 6-foot-3, 296-pound West is a prime example.

Read More: 49ers won UDFA scramble by landing Dohonovan West

Sure, West might be slightly undersized and doesn’t have the frame to add a lot more functional bodyweight without jeopardizing his playmaking upside. However, he makes up for this with solid football IQ and positioning, using above-average technique to negate bigger, more powerful interior rushers.

San Francisco has long-term questions with regards to veteran Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, who is still on the verge of retirement despite not officially saying so just yet. And while the 49ers have historically used veterans at center, it wouldn’t be shocking to see West emerge as the clear-cut favorite to eventually replace Mack at some point.

Be it now or in a year’s time.