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 brought in several veterans to compete along the offensive line, but elected to avoid adding any talent in the draft. The team had ten picks and did not spend a single one on the offensive line. Instead, they signed a handful of UDFA offensive lineman, including J.P. Flynn, Erik Magnuson, Darrell Williams Jr., and Richard Levy.
UDFA offensive linemen are regularly guys who start their NFL careers on the practice squad. They are often UDFAs because their size or strength does not fit where they played in college. Regularly tackles in college find themselves needing to move inside to guard or center because they lack the size, or just can’t handle the athleticism of NFL-caliber edge rushers.
Erik Magnuson joined the 49ers after a five-year career at Michigan in which he made 46 appears, with 37 starts. He played right tackle as a senior, but previously made appearances at both guard positions. Scouting reports point to a player who was a very capable right tackle, but does not have the kind of strength needed to handle that position regularly in the NFL. Instead, he will be viewed as a competitor for an interior role, with a chance to potentially compete for a swing tackle role as well.
Scouting reports
- NFL.com
- Big Blue View
- Hogs Haven
- 49ers PR release:
Appeared in 46 games (37 starts) along the offensive line during his five-year career at Michigan. As a senior in 2016, started all 12 games at right tackle to earn the Hugh R. Rader Memorial Award as Michigan’s top lineman and First-Team All-Big Ten honors. In 2015, earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors after starting all 12 games at right tackle. As a sophomore, appeared in 8 games, making 5 starts. As a freshman in 2013, appeared in 12 games with 7 starts. Redshirted in 2012. Attended La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, CA) HS, where he was a three-year starter. Born 1/5/94 in Carlsbad, CA.
Basic info
Age: 23
Experience: Rookie
Height: 6’6
Weight: 305 lbs
Cap status
Signed three-year rookie contract, with league minimum base salaries. No word on his signing bonus or guaranteed base salary.
What to expect in 2017
He is most likely going to spend the season on the practice squad. If he were to make the roster as a rookie, he would likely be one of the team’s weekly inactives, with injuries to other offensive linemen providing a chance to be active in a given week.
Odds of making the roster
He is likely on the long-shot side of things given all the veterans brought in this offseason. Tim Barnes is competing for an opportunity at center, while Brandon Fusco is competing with Zane Beadles and Joshua Garnett for guard time. I would not be surprised if Beadles lost his starting job, but given his ability to play all five offensive line positions, he could stick around as the primary swing option. That would not bode well for Magnuson’s roster chances.