The San Francisco 49ers have their draft picks on hand for rookie minicamp, and it is providing them an opportunity to sign their four-year rookie contracts. The team announced Saturday morning that they have signed third round pick Tarvarius Moore (DB), seventh round pick Jullian Taylor (DT), and seventh round pick Richie James (WR).
The 49ers have nine draft picks to sign, and most should be signed between now and the end of the team’s mandatory minicamp in June. First round pick Mike McGlinchey could be among them, but it depends on how negotiations over offset language go. The 2011 collective bargaining agreement introduced a rookie wage scale, which ended most draft pick holdouts. Offset language and timing of signing bonus payouts have been the one remaining obstacle, but they usually get settled with little to no missed time.
Moore played safety in college, but is converting to cornerback with the 49ers. He has the kind of size (6’2) and speed (4.32 40) that could bode well in the 49ers system. Ahkello Witherspoon and Jimmie Ward are the starters in the offseason workout program, while Richard Sherman will get back into the mix when training camp arrives.
Taylor is a bit of an undersized defensive tackle (280 pounds), and it remains to be seen just how the 49ers plan on using him. Does he have the speed to overcome any size disadvantage, or will they look at him outside?
James is built to be a slot receiver (5’10, 183), but durability concerns persist. He lost most of last year to a broken collarbone, but was extremely productive his previous two seasons.