49ers roster: 4 UDFAs who could actually make 53-man squad this year

49ers UDFA No. 1: Center Dohnovan West

Some could argue the 49ers landed the best undrafted free agent who didn’t get selected in this year’s NFL Draft, former Arizona State center Dohnovan West, who could and should have been a Round 4 pick this year.

Heck, if the Niners drafted West late in the third round, no one would have complained.

For whatever the reasons, the 6-foot-4 and 300-pound West slipped through all 262 picks over the three-day draft period, and San Francisco has to be thrilled he signed in the Bay Area.

However, West’s pipeline to the 53-man roster would have nevertheless been challenging if Alex Mack opted not to retire, and the 49ers decided to keep Mack’s primary backup from last season, Jake Brendel, in that same role again in 2022.

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Keeping three pure centers on the roster would have been unlikely, but Mack’s retirement opens up a door here.

Early signs are pointing towards the Niners giving Brendel the starting job this season, and it also jives with Kyle Shanahan’s tendency of not placing rookies into this spot.

However, the likelihood of West surviving roster cuts and finding his way into a reserve role on the 53-man roster increased dramatically in the wake of Mack’s departure.

And before too long, West might be San Francisco’s latest case of a hidden-gem find.