49ers roster breakdowns, 90-in-90: Tyler McCloskey

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 are bringing back the fullback position after it disappeared under last year’s head coach, Chip Kelly. The team made a splash in free agency when they made Kyle Juszczyk the highest paid fullback in the game. That settled the position for the next couple years, but they also added a flier in undrafted free agent Tyler McCloskey.

McCloskey is an interesting guy in how he made his way to the NFL. He enrolled at Houston as a linebacker, but switched to fullback in 2013. In 2015, he switched to tight end, and in starting 13 games, he had 14 receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown. He started 12 of 13 games at tight end in 2016, and finished with 23 receptions for 233 yards and four touchdowns.

The 49ers told McCloskey he will play fullback, and he is listed there on the roster. It turns out the 49ers had a lot of conversations with McCloskey. After he signed, he told the Houston Chronicle that the 49ers were in touch not too long after the December 17 Las Vegas Bowl. He said they were in touch throughout the offseason, and the team got in touch with him during the final two rounds of the draft.

Here is a look at his college profile, courtesy of 49ers PR.

Appeared in 53 games (29 starts) during his four-year career at Houston. Finished his career with 39 recepts. for 406 yds. and 5 TDs. In 2016, appeared in 13 games (12 starts) at tight end and recorded 23 recepts. for 233 yds. and 4 TDs. As a junior, appeared in 14 games (13 starts) and totaled 14 recepts. for 157 yds. and 1 TD. In 2014, saw action in all 13 games with 3 starts at fullback, registering 2 recepts. for 16 yds. and 1 carry for 1 yd. As a freshman in 2013, appeared in 12 games with 1 start at fullback. Attended Memorial (Houston, TX) HS, where he was named the 2012 District 19-5A Co-Offensive MVP and earned District first-team honors after throwing for 1,456 yds. and 9 TDs while rushing for 966 yds. and 18 TDs as a senior. Born 8/11/94 in Houston, TX.

Basic info

Height: 6’0
Weight: 237 lbs
Age: 22
Experience: Rookie

Cap status

Received $10,000 fully guaranteed, including a $5,000 signing bonus and $5,000 of his first year salary. If he makes the roster, he will earn the league minimum of $465,000.

What to expect in 2017

He will get fullback and special teams time in the preseason, but more than likely we can expect to see him on the practice squad. The only chance he has of making the 49ers 53-man roster this year is if he shows himself to be a special teams stud.

Odds of making the roster

He joins other players like Nick Mullens and Nick Rose as true long shots. It is interesting that the 49ers were in touch so much. It is even more interesting because of the change in the front office. McCloskey said the 49ers got in touch shortly after the mid-December Las Vegas Bowl, and remained in touch. They’ve had some scout turnover, but John Lynch retained much of the scouting staff. It sounds like he developed into a scout’s favorite during the in-season evaluation process. That doesn’t boost his chances for the 53-man roster, but it could help him land a spot on the practice squad.