UDFAs aim to make their mark in San Francisco

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Thursday, May 07, 2009  |  Comments( 2 )

San Francisco 49ers
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The San Francisco 49ers drew praise for an NFL draft haul that includes the likes of Michael Crabtree, Glen Coffee and Scott McKillop, but a handful of unselected prospects seem poised to make an impact.

Former Ohio State offensive lineman Alex Boone was a highly touted high school recruit and ended up at one of the best college programs in the nation. Had Boone left early after his junior season, he was likely a Day 1 pick. However, Boone’s stock plummeted during his senior campaign (largely because of attitude issues); as a result, he went unpicked. Multiple off-field incidents involving alcohol scared teams away, but as an undrafted free agent, Boone presents tremendous value. If he’s able to stay disciplined, Boone has a shot to make the roster.

With the addition of Coffee to complement Pro Bowler Frank Gore at running back, Kory Sheets could have an uphill battle to make the roster. Still, Sheets is a dual threat out of the backfield, possessing high-end running and receiving ability. His versatility is a quarterback's best friend and would be even more beneficial with the 49ers’ cloudy situation under center. Sheets was slowed by a knee injury last year at Purdue, but he could find a home in the Bay Area as a third RB if he’s able to stay healthy.

Cornerbacks Carlos Thomas, Jahi Word-Daniels and Terrail Lambert will also have a chance to impress the Niners. Head coach Mike Singletary is hopeful at least one can emerge and earn a spot on the active roster.

The 49ers ranked 20th in the NFL in pass defense a year ago and failed to acquire talent in the secondary during the draft. Out of the three aforementioned players, Thomas may be the most NFL-ready. He played at South Carolina in the SEC, widely known as the top conference in college football because of its top-notch competition.

Rookie free agents are largely a boom-or-bust group, and some of the players the 49ers brought in appear to possess great potential. After San Francisco added talented young prospects with its draft picks, any production the team receives out of the unselected bunch will be icing on the cake.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To ...
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