Clear-cut studs, duds from 49ers preseason win over Vikings

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Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Tariq Castro-Fields, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers

Ihmir Smith-Marsette #15 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a pass while Tariq Castro-Fields #36 of the San Francisco 49ers defends (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

49ers dud: Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields

Late-round NFL Draft picks and undrafted free agents always face an uphill struggle to justify taking a spot on the 53-man roster, especially for playoff-caliber teams like the Niners.

As such, when players of this nature finally get an opportunity, they need to make the most of it.

Rookie cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields, who hardly saw any field time in Week 1 of the preseason, finally saw a good deal of action against the Vikings, yet he probably wishes he had a much better outing.

The sixth-round pick out of Penn State was originally flagged for defensive holding late in the second quarter, although the infraction was declined, but Minnesota was able to score its only touchdown on that particular drive.

Later on, Castro-Fields missed a would-be tackle and didn’t exactly display the best wrap-up technique and positioning he should have used.

Deommodore Lenoir has played excellent football over two weeks, and even he isn’t a surefire lock to make the 53-man roster.

Considering Castro-Fields didn’t exactly impress with his first extensive NFL field time, it’s safe to say his stock value is on the decline.