49ers Re-Sign Ross Dwelley
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Here's a head scratcher.
The 49ers reportedly just re-signed tight end Ross Dwelley to a one-year deal, even though they almost never throw him the ball. The past two seasons, Dwelley has caught just seven passes. And he's a pass-catching specialist. Go figure.
Dwelley was inactive for seven of the 49ers' final nine games this past season, including the NFC Championship, when fellow backup tight end Tyler Kroft allowed Eagles edge rusher Hassan Reddick to beat him and snap Brock Purdy's UCL. Maybe the 49ers wish they had played Dwelley instead of Kroft in that game. And maybe that's why the 49ers re-signed Dwelley and not Kroft.
Dwelley is one of the 49ers' most underused players. They signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2018, and he made the 53-man roster as a rookie, because he's surprisingly difficult to cover. Dwelley runs a 5.1 40-yard dash -- he's extremely slow. Some offensive linemen run faster than him. But he's shifty, he's 6'5", he runs excellent routes and he has never dropped a pass in his professional career. And that's why the 49ers keep bringing him back.
Dwelley isn't a great blocker, nor is he much of a threat with the ball in his hands after the catch. But he's a tremendous secret weapon who knows Kyle Shanahan's complicated offense and plays multiple positions. Dwelley has been Kyle Juszczyk's primary backup at fullback for years.
Still, look for the 49ers to draft a tight end in a few weeks, because this year's tight end draft class is outstanding. But even if the 49ers add another tight end, Dwelley probably will make the team, because he plays special teams, and the coaches seem to love him.
