Each year, we run a series of post called "90-in-90" here at Niners Nation. The idea is that we'll take a look at every single player on the roster, from the very bottom to the top and break them down a few different ways. This is to help give everyone a basic understanding of a roster. Of course, this roster will change, and some days we'll have more than one so it's not strictly one per day but you get the idea.
The San Francisco 49ers signed Canadian Football League wide receiver Eric Rogers earlier this offseason, but they made a second CFL signing that has flown under the radar. The team signed offensive lineman Colin Kelly to a reserve/future contract that would be two years in length if he makes the team. The 49ers list him at 6'5, 298 pounds.
Kelly entered the NFL in 2013, when the Kansas City Chiefs signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State. He suffered an injury in training camp that year, and was placed on season-ending injured reserve. The team waived him June 3, 2014, and he subsequently signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL. He spent two season in the CFL before signing with the 49ers this past January.
In the two open practices of OTAs, Kelly has gotten work as the second string left tackle.
Contract Status
Signed a reserve/future contract. If he makes the team, he will earn $450,000 in 2016, and $540,000 in 2017. He would be a restricted free agent if he played out the contract, because he spent a season on injured reserve with the Kansas City Chiefs. The most notable aspect of his 49ers contract is that he received $65,000 in a salary guarantee.
What to expect in 2016
During his two years in the CFL, he played eight games in 2014, and 18 games in 2015. I imagine the lower 2014 number was due to his injury rehab from the previous year with the Chiefs. He is getting second team left tackle work. He won't be supplanting Joe Staley anytime soon, but he is getting work ahead of the draft picks and UDFAs. If he actually made the roster, I would see it being in a swing tackle role, although he'd probably spend more time on the inactive list in 2016.
Odds of making the roster
The 49ers have a lot of options for a swing tackle role, and plenty of developmental options, so it's a tough numbers game for Kelly. That being said, the $65,000 salary guarantee would seem to indicate he stands a solid chance of earning at least a spot on the practice squad. I'd say he has a very solid chance at a practice squad spot, and is weak bubble for the 53-man roster.