Will Eric Saubert Make the 49ers' 53-Man Roster?

Saubert certainly isn't getting better -- his career seems to be winding down. But now he has an opportunity to be George Kittle's backup.

Raise your hand if you've heard of Eric Saubert.

The 49ers signed him on Monday. He's an NFL tight end. He has played for the Falcons, the Bears, the Jaguars, the Broncos, the Cowboys and the Texans -- he has been in the NFL since 2017. He's almost 30. And in his entire career, he has caught 36 passes. Last season, he caught three.

Saubert certainly isn't getting better -- his career seems to be winding down. But now he has an opportunity to be George Kittle's backup and the primary blocking tight end on a team that runs the ball a ton. The 49ers tried to sign Brock Wright to fill that position, but he returned to the Lions. So the 49ers signed Saubert instead. He has a real opportunity to play.

But that's if he even makes the 53-man roster. Right now, he seems like a roster placeholder until the 49ers draft a blocking tight end in a few weeks who will take Saubert's supposed role and spot on the team. Saubert is a veteran, but he has about as much of a chance to make the 49ers' final roster as an undrafted free agent rookie.

The 49ers clearly value their blocking tight end. That's why they offered Brock Wright a three-year, $12 million contract. Neither Saubert nor last year's third-round pick Cameron Latu is anywhere near that valuable, which means the 49ers could spend another draft pick on a tight end this year.

Don't get too attached to Saubert just yet. His tenure with the 49ers could be brief.