While draftees get all the attention, part of the allure of the OTAs is seeing the undrafted free agents doing their best to make the roster. Niner Noise looks at the eight draft picks, their college resume and chances of making it to Week 1.
With the much-vaunted (OK, not really, but it's the first cab of the rank) beginning of the preseason about to begin with the OTAs, it's important to remember what the early processes are really for.
For 32 NFL teams across the country, late draft pricks and undrafted free agents take the field looking to impress however they can on an arduous journey to the roster.
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So with that in mind, let's take a look at the San Francisco 49ers UDFAs, and what their journey to the roster might look like.
Jack Bouwmeester, Punter, Texas
Jack Bouwmeester has the most straightforward path to a roster spot. The former All-Pac-12 punter has a journeyman he has to beat to become the starting punter (unless the Niners sign someone else at some point).
The Australian-born Bouwmeester will have ample opportunity to strut his stuff. He simply has a great situation to make an instant impact.
Verdict: Very good chance, 50/50 to make the roster, which is great for a UDFA.
Khalil Dinkins, Tight End, Penn State
The 49ers are set for now at tight end with George Kittle a future Canton inductee and Jake Tonges earning an extention after impressively filling in when Kittle was injured, but the rest of the tight end roster is catchable for Khalil Dinkins.
Dinkins is known as a blocking tight end, having caught a total of 37 passes in his college career. But he is a strong and willing blocker, which the Niners value, and he showed some athletic ability at the NFL Combine as well. Depending on how Kittle heals up, there may be a spot for an extra tight end. Blocking tight ends grow on trees, but the athletic potential Dinkins has might make him stand out.
Verdict: Probably a practice squad stash, unless Kittle needs extended time to heal.
Bryson Eason, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee
Bryson Eason is a stout run defender and has some active hands with three deflected passes last season for Tennessee, but he's a little undersized at 6-foot-2. But the 49ers lacked run defense last season, and it's his strength. It just seems a little hard for him to crack the roster, given the upgrades San Francisco made at the position.
Verdict: Probably not making the roster, unless he shows some untapped pass-rushing potential.
Wesley Grimes, Wide Receiver, North Carolina State
At his pro day, Wesley Grimes ran a 4.46 40-yard time and a 6.84 3-cone drill. This means he's athletic, as well as being a decent size at 6-foot-2 and 186 pounds.
On the downside, the 49ers invested heavily in wide receiver upgrades already, and Grimes caught just 77 passes in his collegiate career. The Niners do need a kick returner, but Grimes didn't do this in college. The signs don't look promising.
Verdict: Needs to impress to be a practice squad stash.
Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
Of all the signings, Mikail Kamara is the one who seems to generate the most excitement. While going from 10 sacks in 2024 to just two in 2025, Kamara has the tools to carve a career as a situational pass-rusher. You can never have too many pass-rushers in the NFL.
Kamara is too small to do anything else at 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, unless he can move to linebacker. But there seems to be an opening to a roster spot if he can showcase his strengths.
Verdict: Keep an eye on training camp and preseason, could find a spot on the roster or at worst be a practice squad candidate.
Will Pauling, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame
What I said about Grimes can apply to Will Pauling, too. There's some athletic potential, but he didn't impress in college and he's not a kick returner.
The 49ers might be taking a punt on his 2023 season, where he had 74 receptions for 837 yards and six touchdowns for Wisconsin. It's questionable if he magically captures that magic.
Verdict: Practice squad, if he can show some of that 2023 potential.
Jalen Stroman, Safety, Notre Dame
Jalen Stroman ran a slow 4.73 40-yard time as a safety, was a decent run defender in college but his pass-defense is questionable with only one interception and six deflections his entire career.
Safety isn't the strongest position, but it's hard to see what Stroman adds to the roster given his collegiate career.
Verdict: Maybe a special teamer, but that feels like the absolute ceiling here.
James Thompson, Defensive Tackle, Illinois
James Thompson is a run defender, but has a bit more pass-rushing potential with Eason given he has seven sacks in his last three years (we're discounting his injury ravaged 2024 season here). Seven sacks over three years isn't much, but it's worth noting for someone who would be a run defender in the pros.
Like Eason the road is going to be a hard one given the upgrades the 49ers made at the position, but there's something there the 49ers could work with.
Verdict: A potential sleeper pick for the roster if he can show some pass-rushing moves
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