49ers roster 2023: Thank you for attending camp, Dazz Newsome
If Dazz Newsome ever wants to get his shot, it probably won't come with the Niners.
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers have a stacked wide receiver room entering 2023, one that won't have a spot for depth wideout Dazz Newsome.
For the most part, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan prefers wide receivers who boast some serious speed, particularly if they don't offer much else by the way of blocking or exceptional route-running.
From that vantage point, it wouldn't appear as if wide receiver Dazz Newsome would find a niche role with the red and gold entering the 2023 season. After all, prior to the Chicago Bears drafting him in Round 6 back in 2021 out of North Carolina, Newsome ran a relatively unimpressive 4.57 40-yard time during his pre-draft pro day workouts.
Not exactly the kind of numbers a team would want from a 5-foot-10, 184-pound receiver who lacks the size to be physical out of the slot or on the perimeter.
Those traits alone would make it tough for Newsome to crack San Francisco's 53-man roster, but the fact he's also facing a very talented and deep wide receiver corps works against him, too.
How did Dazz Newsome join the 49ers?
Newsome lasted one year with Chicago where he experienced some time as a return specialist and managed two receptions on five targets for 23 yards over three games played in 2021.
After a two-day practice squad stint with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, the 49ers signed him to their own practice squad in November of that year, subsequently signing him to a reserve/future contract for the 2023 season.
How much is Dazz Newsome's contract with 49ers?
According to Over the Cap, Newsome's contract for 2023 is worth up to $870,000 but with zero guaranteed, meaning the Niners can cut bait with zero in dead money.
If Newsome somehow was able to make the 53-man roster, he'd be an exclusive-rights free agent in 2024, which means San Francisco would have complete control over any re-sign deal a year from now.
What chance does Dazz Newsome have to make 49ers' 53-man roster?
Newsome, who does offer a small amount of special teams versatility, is likely one of those players who'd face challenges in hanging onto a roster spot anywhere around the league. So far, his career has had the trajectory of being someone who'll hang around at the back end of an offseason roster with some adequate field time during the preseason.
During the regular season, it's likely a practice squad designation.
In the 49ers' case, Newsome is already looking at a depth chart that boasts a top receiving duo in Brandon Aiyuk and the All-Pro, Deebo Samuel, while fellow wideouts like Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, Danny Gray and the rookie, Ronnie Bell, combine to make the likely group of six who'll survive roster cuts.
Read more: ESPN reveals painful truth about Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk
Newsome, meanwhile, won't have much of a chance unless the Niners lose a good chunk of their receiving corps to injury.
Instead, expect Newsome to see a decent amount of field time this preseason. If he wants a bigger role, he might have to impress during those exhibition games and translate those efforts into a deal elsewhere outside of San Francisco.
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