San Francisco 49ers: Who Is The Answer At Tight End?
By Dan Fappiano
Sep 28, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; USC Trojans tight end Xavier Grimble (86) scores a touchdown during the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Grimble is another practice squad player with the 49ers. Unlike Cleveland though, Grimble spent all of the 2014 season on the practice squad. Grimble has bounced around the NFL since signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent after in 2014. He has been with the Giants and the Patriots along with the 49ers. Although he has been on multiple teams, it has been on a strictly practice squad basis, and Grimble has yet to see time in a regular season game.
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Grimble has a lot of comparisons to Cleveland — at 6’5″ and weighing 250 pounds, their size is almost identical. What differentiates Grimble though, is his offensive game. In college, Grimble racked up eleven touchdowns over his three years, and hauled in more than 100 receiving yards in each season. His best year came as a senior, when he posted a 300 yard season in 2012.
Grimble doesn’t do anything exceptionally well. He isn’t elite in any facet of the game. What he does provide is a cheap practice squad tight end who can be called up in case of emergency. He has the body and the prior results to perform decently if he needed to.
Grimble will most likely remain on the practice squad, but if injuries were to come about, he might be given a chance later on in the season.
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