49ers roster: Analyzing 2023 UDFA signings and their fit

Overview for 49ers 2023 UDFA class: Defense

Spencer Waege, EDGE, North Dakota State

The Niners made only one draft pick for the defensive line with Spencer Waege becoming the second person to bolster the defensive trenches as part of the UDFA class. A good size at 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, he had 17.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks for North Dakota State in 2022.

Waege ran his 40-yard time at 4.91 seconds at the Bisons’ pro day which is a bit slow, given he’s under 300 pounds, so it’ll be interesting to see how he does when it comes to game speed.

Verdict: San Francisco added some depth to the defensive line before Waege came along so it might be hard for him to get onto the roster. If he shows some potential he could be a practice squad candidate or perhaps a chance to make the final roster if the 49ers take extra defensive linemen on again.

Mariano Sori-Marin, Linebacker, Minnesota

The Niners are looking for someone to step up as a third linebacker in base 4-3 packages or as depth, so Mariano Sori-Marin has a chance to get onto the roster. The team had a similar situation to allow Azeez Al-Shaair to get onto the roster and blossom into the third linebacker some years ago, but special teams play is going to be the key.

The 6-foot-2, 236-pound linebacker ran a 4.62 40-yard time and had 88 tackles, six tackles for loss, three pass breakups and 1.5 sacks.

Verdict: Sori-Martin has some potential as a good tackler and run defender. He’s decently quick so there’s a path for him to get onto the roster as a special teamer and backup linebacker.

D’Shawn Jamison, Cornerback, Texas

The team signed Isaiah Oliver to be the presumptive starter at the nickel position, but D’Shawn Jamison will try to push him. Jamison will be restricted to slot duties at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, but he had seven passes defended and two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) in 2022.

Jamison ran a fast 4.45 40-yard time at the NFL Combine and had two punt returns and one kick return for a touchdown while playing for the Texas Longhorns.

Verdict: The lack of nickel depth and the need for a return specialist gives Jamison a really good shot to make the roster if he performs well.

Avery Young, Safety, Rutgers

An experienced safety for Rutgers, Avery Young had 84 total tackles, four passes defended and an interception for Rutgers in 2022. He ran a 4.78 40-yard time at the NFL Combine which was slower than expected, given he’s 6-foot-0 and 198 pounds.

Young is strong in zone coverage and does have positional versatility in the secondary, which are some pluses when it comes to playing for San Francisco.

Verdict: The problem facing Young is he doesn’t excel in any one area and could face problems when it comes to shedding tackles and keeping up with speedy receivers. He will need to show something extra to have a realistic chance of making the final roster.