49ers draft picks: Vance McDonald inks rookie contract

The San Francisco 49ers made two more rookie contracts official, announcing that DL Cornellius Carradine and TE Vance McDonald signed their four year contracts. Adam Caplan reported the Carradine signing earlier this afternoon, while the 49ers broke the Vance McDonald news. The McDonald contract is likely worth approximately $3.6 million overall, and will include a signing bonus just a shade under $1 million. This leaves the 49ers with only Eric Reid, Corey Lemonier and Marcus Lattimore unsigned.

McDonald will be competing against Garrett Celek and Cameron Morrah to fill the role left vacant by the departure of Delanie Walker. This was already an important role in the 49ers offense, and it becomes that much more important with the loss of Michael Crabtree. The 49ers will need to find offense wherever they can get it, and the second tight end will see plenty of playing time.

McDonald has experience playing out of a variety of spots on and off the line, so his versatility will come in handy. He will need to show blocking skills, in part because it is an important aspect of the tight end role, but also more so with the loss of Crabtree, who is a phenomenal blocker. The wide receivers are going to be expected to step up this year, but McDonald will get his own opportunity to be a big contributor.