Each year, we like to run a series of posts called "90-in-90." The idea is that we'll take a look at every player on the roster, from the very bottom to the top and break them down a few ways. This roster will certainly change, and some days we'll have more than one so it's not exactly 90 players in 90 days. At this point, it's a name we're keeping around for street cred.
The San Francisco 49ers added a pair of tight ends following the 2014 NFL Draft. Immediately after the draft, the 49ers signed Miami, FL tight end Asante Cleveland. He had gone to Miami as a fairly notable tight end prospect. On May 27, they signed USC tight end Kevin Greene after waiving Luke Marquardt. The big difference between Cleveland and Greene is that Greene did not start playing tight end until his senior year at USC. Greene came to USC as a linebacker, and moved to defensive end after a redshirt year. He spent three seasons playing defensive end before the coaching staff moved him to tight end as a senior.
Given his recent switch to tight end, there do not appear to be any scouting reports on Greene. It does not help that a search for Kevin Greene can be limited by the other Kevin Greene.
Expected 2014 impact:
Some might look at this a little bit like the Bruce Miller selection. The 49ers drafted Miller out of Central Florida. Miller had played defensive end and outside linebacker in college, but the 49ers brought him to become a fullback. Miller quickly took to the role, and is now one of the best fullbacks in the league. In taking the job, he also was at a position where there was plenty of room for him to grow.
Greene comes into a tight end situation that is pretty deep. Vernon Davis and Vance McDonald are locked in as the No. 1 and No. 2 tight ends. However, with Garrett Celek dealing with a back strain, there is always the chance for a UDFA to potentially surprise us as the No. 3 tight end. Celek and Derek Carrier are the favorites for the job, but either is also replaceable. While it is true the 49ers are always looking to improve, some positions have guys pretty much locked in place. Vernon and Vance are not going anywhere, but Celek or Carrier can be replaced much more easily.
My guess though is that Greene's best shot is on the practice squad. I'd imagine he and Asante Cleveland are competing for no more than one spot on the practice squad. And even then, Derek Carrier would potentially compete with them for that as well if he loses out to Garrett Celek.
Odds of making the roster:
The odds are slim at this point. Celek and/or Carrier are replaceable, but Celek in particular has a lot of time in the system. Greene's best chance is probably the practice squad, but maybe he pulls a Bruce Miller and surprises us.