The 49ers have signed nine players to future contracts, which are named such because the players are inked for the 2010 season even though the season officially begins March 5. Only players who were not on the active roster at the end of the season are eligible. Which is to say, those with future contracts are typically prospective practice squadders and "camp bodies." However, some have a decent shot at making the 53-man squad. Here's the list - alphabetically - along with how they fit on the team:
Alex Boone, OT. Along with RB Kory Sheets, Boone was the 49ers' most prized undrafted free agent in 2009. He handled himself well in training camp and spent the year on the practice squad. Boone's issue is that he lacks quickness. He is a right tackle only. Boone arrived with the 49ers weighing close to 328 pounds. Seeing him in the locker room at the end of the season, it was obvious he lost a significant amount of weight, and I'm told he's now down to around 305 pounds. How that translates to the field this offseason will be interesting. The 49ers have two unrestricted free agents at offensive tackle --.Tony Pashos and Barry Sims. What happens to them and whether the 49ers draft a tackle will help determine where Boone fits in this season. A safe bet would be another season on the practice squad.
Martail Burnett, OLB. Burnett played defensive end at Utah but is a better fit at outside linebacker with the 49ers. San Francisco added him to the practice squad early in the season and he stuck there, an indication they liked what they saw. Burnett has good size - 6-3, 262 - and very long arms. Like most defensive ends, his biggest task is learning how to play linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Making the squad will be difficult. Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson, Ahmad Brooks and Diyral Briggs are ahead of him on the depth chart, and the 49ers could make more moves this offseason.
Jehuu Caulcrick, FB. The 250-pound Caulcrick played at Michigan State where he scored 39 touchdowns, the second-most in school history. He was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He spent most of that season on the Jets practice squad. He spent time on both the Jets and the Buccaneers practice squads this past season. Of the three fullbacks on the roster -- Moran Norris, Brit Miller and Caulcrick - Caulcrick might be the best with the ball in his hands. (He's No. 30)
Tony Curtis, TE. Curtis might have a shot at making the 53-man roster simply because the 49ers have so few tight ends. They went through the entire 2009 season with two on the active roster, which is remarkable considering how much they like to run the ball and how integral tight ends are to the offense. The team likely won't take that risk this year. Curtis was a productive third tight end in Dallas behind Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano. The 49ers are looking for someone to fill the role Billy Bajema had in previous years. Curtis is not the blocker Bajema is, but he's more athletic and a better pass catcher. In 2007, he caught three passes, all of them for touchdowns.
Brian De La Puente, G. De La Puente, a Cal product, spent the 2008 offseason with the 49ers and seemed destined for their practice squad. However, he was signed by the Chiefs instead. He spent half the season on the active roster and half on the Kansas City practice squad. He spent time on the Seahawks and Panthers practice squads last season.
J.J. Finley, TE. Finley beat out sixth-round draft pick Bear Pascoe last offseason. The 49ers felt that if something were to happen to either Vernon Davis or Delanie Walker, they would feel more secure with Finley, a first-year player at the time, than Pascoe, and Finley spent the season on the practice squad. At 6-6, 261, Finley is a good and reliable target in the passing game. His blocking was poor when he arrived in 2008 but has been improving.
Khalif Mitchell, NT/OL. Mitchell was on and off the 49ers practice squad in 2009 and practiced both on the defensive and offensive lines. His original position is nose tackle and he showed flashes in the offseason. But he wasn't consistent and wore down too quickly. Position switches (see: Duckett, Damane) rarely have happy endings.
Keith Smith, CB. Smith is best known for allowing the big pass play to Deon Butler in the 49ers' December game in Seattle that set up the Seahawks game-winning field goal. The loss all-but eliminated the 49ers from the playoffs. (I contend that the playoffs were lost two weeks earlier when the team failed to show up in Green Bay). Smith appeared in three games last season and the 49ers obviously thought enough of him to give him a critical job at a critical point. With question marks hovering over Walt Harris, Dre Bly and even Nate Clements this offseason, it can't hurt to have an experienced cornerback in camp.
Dominique Zeigler, WR. Zeigler has excellent hands and can be counted on to make at least one circus catch a week during training camp. However, at 6-3, 185 pounds he lacks the build and the speed the 49ers want at the position. The position won't be as crowded this year. The 49ers likely will have a core of four receivers - Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Brandon Jones and Jason Hill. Still, the active roster appears to be a long shot. Mike Martz seemed to like Zeigler. Perhaps Chicago will be an option.
-- Matt Barrows
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