As part of their roster churn, the San Francisco 49ers brought back undrafted free agent Khalil Dinkins, a tight end from Penn State. That alone doesn't raise any eyebrows. Dinkins had a chance to be a sleeper prospect for the tight end room before an injury derailed his offseason. Now seemingly healthy, Dinkins will be brought back into the fold.
What's notable, however, is the three-year deal the 49ers committed to, an unusual contract length for this time of year. The deal includes, per Spotrac, $275k in guaranteed money at signing with an average annual salary of roughly $1 million.
While the numbers are hardly eye-popping at the NFL level, they are considerably more than an UDFA usually receives. All that seems to indicate that Dinkins may be more than just a rental option.
Dinkins' contract length mean someone may be on their way out
That, coupled with the 49ers activating superstar TE George Kittle from the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) list, flips the Niners tight end room on its head. What was originally an open competition in Kittle's absence might be all for naught. Even if the 49ers carry four tight ends (which they typically rarely do), those spots are set - Kittle, Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell, and Dinkins.
That leaves little-known 49er Brayden Willis as the odd man out.
Willis has stuck around on the peripheries of the 49ers' roster since being drafted in 2023, but despite the promise he showed, he never managed to truly stick. Over the last couple of years, he's provided the versatility the roster has needed, playing fullback as well as tight end when necessary. But with Dinkins' prowess in run blocking, Willis' speciality might go by the wayside.
49ers might have more than one casualty at tight end
Willis is not alone in this fear. Though Luke Farrell received a handsome contract in free agency to join the 49ers, his performance last year was relatively wanting. While his potential release would not be the easiest pill to swallow, it wouldn't be financially devastating. Dinkins, with his upside, could take over Farrell's role. If such a scenario ensues, Farrell could find his spot on the team in jeopardy.
By giving Dinkins an extended contract, the 49ers have alluded to the makeup of their tight end room. Though there's still time for a training camp surprise, don't be shocked if Khalil Dinkins is wearing the red and gold come Week 1 in Melbourne, while Willis is looking for another job.
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