49ers roster 2023: Niners want to replace Ross Dwelley, but can they?

You've probably heard this San Francisco 49ers story a few times before.

A player whom the Niners view as a lame duck, mainly because they drafted his replacement, is supposed to be jettisoned, except for each time he's expected to leave, he winds up coming back.

San Francisco just can't quit him.

If you're thinking now-Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, no. If you're thinking still-free-agent cornerback, the inevitable Dontae Johnson (why haven't the 49ers re-signed him?), no.

If you read the title of this article, you'd know it's tight end Ross Dwelley we're talking about.

The Niners' No. 2 option to All-Pro tight end George Kittle had a modest chance to shine back in 2020 when Kittle missed half the season because of varying injuries. Despite a career-best season that year, San Francisco rewarded Dwelley with reduced roles in 2021 and 2022.

Although they re-signed him to one-year deals the following offseasons, Dwelley appears to be one of those players constantly in danger of being released despite essentially serving as Kittle's primary backup.

And, over the last two seasons, Dwelley has actually seen fewer offensive snaps than another tight end with even less a receiving pedigree, Charlie Woerner.

But, wait. There are more slights against Dwelley.

Making things even more challenging for Dwelley's future with the 49ers in 2023 is the fact they used not one but two NFL Draft picks last April to restock the position, a Round 3 pick on Alabama's Cameron Latu and a Round 7 pick on Oklahoma's Brayden Willis.

Either could threaten Dwelley's tenuous hold on a roster spot.

How much are the 49ers paying Ross Dwelley in 2023?

The Niners re-signed Dwelley prior to either Latu and Willis being drafted, and it's not uncommon for teams to execute cheap deals with role players to round out the depth chart, especially if a draft doesn't exactly go an ideal way.

According to Over the Cap, Dwelley is back on a one-year deal worth up to $1.7 million with $700,000 guaranteed.

That guaranteed portion is significant enough to suggest Dwelley's spot on the 53-man roster is safe, although San Francisco has parted ways with players earning significantly more guaranteed money in favor of other options who seemingly appear equally as adept at occupying the same role.

What does Ross Dwelley have to do to stay with 49ers?

The 49ers' tight end depth chart looks like this right now:

1. George Kittle
2. Ross Dwelley
3. Charlie Woerner
4. Troy Fumagalli
5. Cameron Latu
6. Brayden Willis

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has kept four tight ends on the regular-season squad before, and it wouldn't be wholly odd if he did so again, particularly if he elects to go with only five wide receivers instead of the usual six.

Woerner, a free agent after this season, is known for his run-blocking support, and Dwelley won't offer up much there. He can, however, show a strong enough outing between now and Week 1 to upstage Willis, in whom the Niners aren't massively invested.

They are, however, invested in Latu, especially considering he's a third-round pick.

That points to Dwelley not only needing to beat out Willis and likely Woerner, but the former will also have to keep Fumagalli at bay, too.

Given what we know about San Francisco not being able to quit Dwelley, though, he'll likely hang around on the roster regardless.

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