The NFL Draft might have been over, but the roster signings never cease. The San Francisco 49ers welcomed 11 undrafted free agents to the mix.
With the NFL Draft done and dusted, one of the more undervalued parts of the process is the annual post-draft rush to grab the best undrafted free agents in the pool for training camp.
Read More: 49ers signed these undrafted free agents after 2023 NFL Draft
The San Francisco 49ers have had some success in finding undrafted free agents in the past, which is a key reason why the team has been able to boast such excellent depth while in pursuit of another Super Bowl title.
These players are the reason to follow training camp and preseason games. While a star will be assured of their spot on the roster, these guys are the kind that has to claw their way onto the team and for every single play that they’re on the field.
This season’s crop featured seven offensive players and four defensive players for the 49ers, however, there was no quarterback which head coach Kyle Shanahan was searching for. Here’s the total list as of writing:
- Jack Colletto, Fullback, Oregon State
- Ronald Awatt, Running Back, UTEP
- Khalan Laborn, Running Back, Marshall
- Shae Wyatt, Wide Receiver, Tulane
- Joey Fisher, Offensive Lineman, Shepherd
- Ilm Manning, Offensive Lineman, Hawaii
- Corey Luciano, Center, Washington
- Spencer Waege, EDGE, North Dakota State
- Mariano Sori-Marin, Linebacker, Minnesota
- D’Shawn Jamison, Cornerback, Texas
- Avery Young, Safety, Rutgers
The Niners overall were pretty diverse with their collection of players, with quarterback and tight end essentially the only main positions not represented. They obviously couldn’t find the quarterback that they wanted and also spent two draft picks on tight end, so they’re clearly content with the position.
Let’s take a look at the 11 newest San Francisco players, an overview of how they fit in the organization and some personal thoughts on exactly what they can do to make waves.
Odds are at least one or two of these players are going to shine in the preseason and find their way onto the roster.
Overview for 49ers 2023 UDFA class: Offensive skill players
Jack Colletto, Fullback, Oregon State
Jack Colletto was a two-way player at Oregon State who also played linebacker, but he’s been listed as simply a fullback on the 49ers website. Colletto was a very effective goalline back for the Beavers with 22 touchdowns on only 111 carries in his collegiate career. Colletto is 6-foot-3 and 237 pounds so he has the size to be the understudy to the 32-year-old Kyle Juszczyk.
Verdict: He’ll be destined for the practice squad and need to improve his receiving skills, but there’s some intriguing upside for the future.
Ronald Awatt, Running Back, UTEP
It feels like people aren’t as excited for this UDFA running back prospect, but Ronald Awatt ran decently for the UTEP Miners this season with 734 yards and two touchdowns at 4.5 yards per carry. He’s a good size at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, and he’s shown a good talent for running through tacklers.
Verdict: There’s always room for a talented and undrafted running back on the Niners roster, the question is if he has the speed to go with his toughness to make the roster.
Khalan Laborn, Running Back, Marshall
The former Florida State running back got kicked off the Seminoles due to team infractions, but he rebounded nicely in 2022 with a huge season for Marshall. Khalan Laborn had 302 carries for 1,513 yards and 16 touchdowns while also having 16 receptions for 116 yards. He had a strong Pro Day also with Sports Illustrated noting how he stacked up again other prospects:
"His 40-yard dash would’ve ranked sixth but his 3-cone-drill (1), broad jump (T3), vertical jump (3), and bench press (2) all fall within the top three of his position."
Verdict: There’s definitely some untapped potential with Laborn who definitely shone when given a second chance at Marshall. Not playing much at Florida State means there’s not a lot of mileage on his legs, he possesses excellent speed with decent size (5-foot-10, 204 pounds) and he had some potential as a receiving back too. Definitely, one to watch who could sneak onto the 53-man roster.
Shae Wyatt, Wide Receiver, Tulane
Shae Wyatt had 35 receptions for 692 yards and seven touchdowns for the Tulane Green Wave this season, with a career in the slot perhaps looming for the 6-foot-0, 188-pound receiver. Wyatt regularly showed big-play ability for Tulane.
Verdict: The wide receiver room is probably set for 2023, but how it’ll look beyond that will be another matter. Wyatt probably has no chance of making the main roster unless he really shines, but it’ll be interesting to see where he might fit in 2024 if he makes it onto the practice squad and stays there.
Overview for 49ers 2023 UDFA class: Offensive line
Joey Fisher, Offensive Lineman, Shepherd
Small-school prospects are always interesting when it comes to UDFA signings because there’s always a good chance that someone might have fallen through the cracks. This is especially true of the offensive line, which isn’t exactly a sexy position. Fisher measured in at 6-foot-4, 296 pounds and looks like he could be NFL-ready as a run blocker.
When it comes to pass protection, Fisher needs some work, but he looks like a definite developmental prospect at right tackle or perhaps guard.
Verdict: One of the more intriguing prospects in the UDFA class, Fisher is a raw prospect that could be the next big developmental talent for San Francisco. Given the lack of depth, don’t rule him out to make the roster if the 49ers love him enough.
Ilm Manning, Offensive Lineman, Hawaii
A long-term starter at left tackle for Hawaii, Ilm Manning is a solid UDFA prospect at the next level but lack of size at 6-foot-2, 294 pounds will push him inside to guard. He’s got athletic potential but has to improve technique with his hands for him to really make any mark in the NFL.
Nonetheless, his experience at Hawaii has given him some good fundamentals and the untapped athletic potential could make him Manning an interesting person to monitor.
Verdict: Interior depth is even worse than tackle depth, so it wouldn’t shock me if Manning gets some earlier-than-expected reps with the backups and sticks onto the roster. If he can show he can play center and be versatile, that’ll help his chances.
Corey Luciano, Center, Washington
Corey Luciano was Washington’s starting center and was an All-PAC 12 honorable mention, so he had a pretty good season. He’s 6-foot-4, 307 pounds, so he does at least have the size if nothing else. That being said, Luciano didn’t really get on the draft radar.
Verdict: Jake Brendel doesn’t have an obvious backup so Luciano has the best chance to get on the roster as far as positional need is concerned. Brendel was undrafted in his own right, so Luciano certainly can’t be counted out even if he wasn’t considered draftable.
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.