49ers roster: 3 undrafted free agents who could start in 2022

Many feel the 49ers impressed more with their undrafted free agents than they did with the actual 2022 NFL Draft, and here are three who could start.

The San Francisco 49ers were so close to a Super Bowl berth last year that they could practically taste it. With the final decision coming down to the last minutes, it appeared as though they didn’t need much moving forward to make it to the final game.

Fast forward a half year later, and it appears that surpassing last year’s success will take more than adding one final piece.

The Niners addressed the secondary by signing cornerback Charvarius Ward and have made the special teams a position of strength by adding safety George Odum, linebacker Oren Burks and speedy return man Ray-Ray McCloud.

But what about the offensive line? The retirement of Pro Bowl center Alex Mack has left a huge hole in front of supposed starting quarterback Trey Lance, and second-year guard Aaron Banks has some big shoes to fill with the departure of Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson.

An even bigger question mark has been left at the safety position. San Francisco chose to move on from strong safety Jaquiski Tartt after seven seasons, and he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles late last week. Even more puzzling, despite a very deep 2022 NFL Draft class at the safety position, the 49ers decided against drafting anyone that could step up to fill that role.

Could it take the safety-by-committee approach to help them get through the year? That remains to be seen.

Regardless of what the plan is to round out the roster before Week 1, there’s still a lot to be done. It’s possible the Niners have that “diamond in the rough” on the roster already just waiting to break out.

You know, the undrafted variety.

Due to a glaring uncertainty at some key positions, here are three undrafted rookies who could step up big and start in 2022.