The San Francisco 49ers signed a free agent who has been on the team for quite some time. Tight end Ross Dwelley became a free agent this year but will be making his return to the team in the 2023 season. It was unknown if Dwelley would be returning to the Bay Area this coming season based on how he was utilized in 2022. Despite these doubts, it was announced that he will be playing in San Francisco once again. Here is information on the tight end Ross Dwelley, and what it means for the 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers TE Ross Dwelley – Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
49ers Signed Ross Dwelley
Tight end Ross Dwelley has been with the 49ers ever since 2018, and San Francisco remains the only NFL team that he has ever played for. Dwelley began with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent, and today the team announced on Twitter that it will be a one-year deal for the tight end.
There was a time when Dwelley was the number two tight end on the depth chart. Based on how the 2022 season went, as of now, it can be assumed he will end up at three on the depth chart. It can be predicted that Dwelley will be behind Charlie Woerner and of course George Kittle. During the 2022 season, Dwelley slowly lost his third spot to Tyler Kroft, who is currently a free agent. Kroft is utilized more as a blocker, as opposed to Dwelley who is better at receiving. The team needed an extra blocker for their rookie quarterback, Brock Purdy, thus pushing Dwelley to the inactive list.
San Francisco 49ers tight end Ross Dwelley – Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports
In his five years, Dwelley had 43 receptions for 506 yards and five touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference. Dwelley played in just 12 regular season games in 2022, and one playoff game. It was more expected that the team would sign Kroft over Dwelley. Although the details of the deal have not been announced, it can be assumed it will be a cheaper contract for the tight end, most likely filled with incentives. There is a possibility that the team wanted a player they know can receive who is also familiar with head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
The 49ers have a lot of roster spots to fill still, not including the many draft picks that they will need to sign. The team will most likely look to add at least one more tight end to the roster, whether it be a rookie or during free agency. There have been reports by multiple 49ers reporters that the team has shown interest in Austin Hooper, who was most recently with the Tennessee Titans. The signing of Ross Dwelley does not count Hooper out. Dwelley played most of his 2022 snaps on special teams, and San Francisco could look to add Hooper, or another free agent depending on their cost.
San Francisco 49ers TE Ross Dwelley – Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Dwelley is a familiarity signing, especially as a receiver, but San Francisco will most likely look to the draft for a solid player at that position. The 49ers currently have about 28 more roster spots to fill in order to get to 90 men. This number includes the signing of Dwelley, and defensive back Myles Hartsfield. The incoming draft class has many tight ends for the team to choose from. The 49ers currently have 11 draft picks in 2023, and while they may not begin picking until the third round, the later picks are where the team thrives the most.
Even if Dwelley does become a healthy scratch again this season, he knows the playbook. The 49ers need depth at each position, and Dwelley can be that for the team. The best-case scenario for San Francisco will be that they are able to pick a player in the draft that can compete for the second sport behind George Kittle. As it is just a one-year deal, this could be Dwelley’s chance to prove himself in order to put himself in a better position in 2024.
