:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47420980/usa-today-8108925.0.jpg)
The San Francisco 49ers added two players to their practice squad on Wednesday, signing center Brian Folkerts and wide receiver Andrew Turzilli. The 49ers sent out some basic biographical information, but there are scouting reports to scour so we can learn more about these players.
Brian Folkerts
This is his fourth year in the NFL. He signed with the New Orleans Saints as a 2012 UDFA. After they waived him, he spent a day with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He got some time with the San Jose Sabercats after that. He subsequently signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2013, and spent two weeks o their 53-man roster to open the season. He was then waived and signed to their practice squad. He returned to the 53-man roster and appeared in ten games with the group in 2013, and all 16 in 2014 (no starts). The Panthers released him on September 5, 2015.
According to Draft Insider, Folkerts was a three-year starter at tackle in college, but moved inside once he hit the pros. They describe his biggest issues as footwork and lateral blocking range. They describe him as one to struggle blocking in motion, and "best in a small area." The 49ers traded away center Nick Easton, leaving them with Ian Silberman and Jordan Devey as the only two real center options behind Marcus Martin. Daniel Kilgore can come off the PUP list after this weekend, so we'll have to wait and see what the plan is after that.
Andrew Turzilli
This is his first year in the NFL. He signed as a UDFA with the Tennessee Titans, and was released as part of final roster cuts. He spent his first three college years at Kansas, before transferring to Rutgers. He stands 6'3, 215 pounds, and ran a 4.44 40. He only had ten catches in 2014, but they went for 347 yards and four touchdowns.
He's got the size that teams covet, and combine that with some impressive speed, and I am a little surprised he did not sign with a practice squad. He's very raw, so he is going to be a project this year and beyond. Getting a chance to watch Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin in practice will certainly be valuable for him. If he sticks through this season, he could head into the offseason workout program and training camp with a chance to turn some heads in the latter part of preseason games.
Here are a couple scouting reports on Turzilli: