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 used some serious draft capital this offseason to boost their defensive line depth. They spent a first round pick on Oregon defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and then used a fifth round pick on Appalachian State defensive end Ronald Blair. They followed that up by signing Alabama nose tackle Darren Lake and Arizona State defensive end Demetrius Cherry in undrafted free agency. That all followed extensions for Ian Williams and Quinton Dial.
All that is to say that players down the depth chart face a tall order trying to earn a roster spot this season. That includes Kaleb Ramsey. The 49ers spent a sixth round pick on Ramsey back in 2014. Injuries were an issue for him in college, and they remained a problem in his rookie year. He opened 2014 training camp on the PUP list, and spent the season on the list. PUP is used for injuries that occur with the 49ers. If it had been related to a college injury, he would have gone on the NFI list.
Last summer, Ramsey was part of final roster cuts at the end of training camp, and was signed to the practice squad. He spent all but four weeks with the practice squad. The four weeks came in the middle of the season when he was suspended for violating the NFL's PED policy. He returned from that and was later signed to a reserve/future contract.
He did get some work last preseason, but the team seemed content to stash him on the practice squad. In the first three preseason games, he played 48 snaps, while in the preseason finale he played 51. Here are some scouting reports from prior to the 2014 draft.
Contract Status
Signed a reserve/future contract. If he makes the team, he will earn $525,000 in 2016, and $615,000 in 2017. He would be a restricted free agent if he played out the contract, because he spent his rookie season on injured reserve.
What to expect in 2016
He is likely competing for a practice squad spot, alongside the likes of Demetrius Cherry, Darren Lake, and Garrison Smith. If Ramsey did happen to make the 53-man roster, it would likely be because Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey are both still dealing with injuries. I suspect we would see Ramsey inactive a decent amount, but in games he was active, he would get some decent playing time. I say that primarily because I think we'll see significant rotation along the defensive line, as opposed to just the base group handling all the work.
Odds of making the roster
His odds are long, and I would say he faces tough odds even for the practice squad. The defensive line is arguably the deepest position on the roster, with safety in the argument as well. Glenn Dorsey and Ian Williams are both rehabbing injuries, and their status will have a significant impact down the depth chart. This is where Ramsey would seemingly have his best shot at a roster spot. He is somewhere between weak bubble and longshot.