With the 2025 NFL Draft officially in the books and OTAs around the corner, the San Francisco 49ers are putting the final touches on their 90-man roster, which will be chopped down to 53 in late August.
The 49ers have overhauled their roster, seeing multiple guys leave in free agency, specifically on defense, and filling those spots in with rookies. San Francisco took 11 players in the draft and hopes they all make the roster.
Additionally, various position battles will happen over the next few months as the 49ers look to find the best 53 players. With that being said, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle put together his 53-man roster projection after the draft, and there was a notable omission at tight end.
Branch did not have veteran Ross Dwelley, whom the 49ers just signed last week after he spent the 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons, making the 53-man roster.
"Not including fullback, this is the only position on the roster that doesn’t include a draft pick. It was a strong tight end draft class — six were among the first 67 picks — but the 49ers didn’t have a pressing need after giving Farrell their largest free-agent contract."
The 49ers beat reporter had Jake Tonges winning the TE3 job over Dwelley, Brayden Willis, and Mason Pline. Branch also highlighted San Francisco signing Luke Farrell, who was inked to a huge three-year, $15.75 million deal in March.
Farrell has 36 receptions on his NFL resume, but will likely be more of a blocking tight end in Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme. If that’s the case, Dwelley will likely be the odd man out when the preseason wraps up in August.
However, Dwelley spent six years in San Francisco before heading to Atlanta last season, which means he has a lot of experience in the Shanahan system, which could give him the edge over the players.