The San Francisco 49ers are beginning to sign their 2018 undrafted free agent class, and we already have one particularly notable name. The team is expected to sign Florida State cornerback Tarvarus McFadden to a deal that includes $90,000 in guaranteed money. The guarantee includes a $20,000 signing bonus and $70,000 in base salary.
That bonus is among the biggest handed out thus far, according to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero. Teams are limited in how much signing bonus money they can hand out to UD, but they can guarantee as much base salary as they want. Usually a big guarantee means a player has a good chance of at least making the practice squad. It’s not earth shattering money for cap purposes, but it gives us an idea of priorities.
It is not surprising the 49ers are giving McFadden a sizable guarantee. They brought him in for one of their 30 official pre-draft visits. An official visit can be about just getting to know a player better, seeing how he handles a look at the scheme and playbook, or checking up on any medical issues.
McFadden stands 6’2, 204 pounds and has solid 32 1⁄2 inch arms. He seems a good fit for the 49ers press style, but his biggest issues right now are in space and if he does not get the good press early. Speed is a big problem for him, running a 4.67 40 and struggling in make-up speed. The key for him will be getting physical and having solid help on the back end.