Niners agree to terms with undrafted rookies

Posted By on April 30, 2009

UPDATED: 8:19 a.m. (PT), Thursday

 

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Here is a list of undrafted free agents who have agreed to contracts with the 49ers, according to their agents.

 

Kory Sheets, RB, 5-11, 208, Purdue

The fastest running back at the combine with a 4.39 in the 40. He rushed for more than 3,300 yards in his career, along with 4,944 all-purpose yards. Sheets has breakaway speed, scoring 48 touchdowns in four seasons. He can also be a factor as a kickoff-return man. The 49ers brought Sheets in for a visit three weeks ago as part of their background check. Sheets reportedly had difficulty with the Purdue coaching staff, beginning with a brief benching in 2007 for a fumble problem. He made some critical comments after a loss to Northwestern, and was banned from speaking to the media for the remainder of the season. NFLDraftScout.com ranked him as the 11th-best running back – just one spot behind Glen Coffee. Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him No. 13.

 

Alex Boone, OT, 6-7, 328, Ohio State

If Boone can get his act together, there might be a place for him in the NFL. He struggled against the speed-rushers of Florida and LSU in BCS title games. He probably does not have the feet to play left tackle, but he has a chance to play right right tackle. But the bigger concerns are off the field. In February, while in California training, police in Aliso Viejo allege Boone jumped up and down on the hoods of cars, attempted to smash the window of a tow truck and then fled police and had to be tasered twice in order to be subdued. He was arrested for DUI in 2006. But he was a two-time All-Big Ten performer, so with the right kind of support system with the 49ers, he has a chance. NFLdraftscout ranks him as the 21st-best offensive tackle. Kiper had him No. 14.


Pannel Egboh, DE, 6-6, 276, Stanford

Ended his career with 24 consecutive starts at defensive end. He recorded 8.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks as a junior, but his production dipped as a senior. He was a member of the National Honor Society. He has a 35-inch vertical leap. He seems to be a ‘tweener among ‘tweeners. The book is that he might lack bulk play DE in a 3-4, and he’s not necessarily an elite pass rusher. Kiper says he has enough measurables to allow an NFL defensive line coach to work with him. NFLdraftscout had him rated as the 16th-best defensive end. Kiper had him at No. 22.

 

Jahi Word-Daniels, 6-0, 197, Georgia Tech

Word-Daniels is a tough cornerback who has good size, but his stock dropped because he missed half of his final season with a hamstring injury. Kiper says Word-Daniels is so aware and intuitive in coverage that he plays faster than he times. He ran a 4.59 and 4.64 at his pro day. He’s an interesting guy. He was Georgia Tech’s long snapper on punts and kicks for three years – an oddity for a cornerback. He has a lively personality. He proposed to his girlfriend in front on hundreds of Georgia Tech fans at the preseason fan day in August of 2007. NFLdraftscout rates him as the 39th cornerback. Kiper has him No. 24.

 

Carlos Thomas, CB, 5-11, 186, South Carolina

Recorded six career interceptions for the Gamecocks. He was reportedly one of the fastest players on the team with a 4.37 in the 40, but he ran 4.51 and 4.57 during his pro day. He played wideout early in his career before making the transition to defense full time in 2006. NFLdraftscout ranks him as the 76th corner, while Kiper has him 81st.

 

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In addition, there are credible local reports of the following players agreeing to terms with the 49ers:

 

South Florida OG Matt Huners (6-3, 303)

Michigan State DE Brandon Long (6-3, 254)

Gardner-Webb WR Dobson Collins (6-1, 188)

Notre Dame CB Terrail Lambert (5-10, 190)

Bowling Green OLB Diyral Briggs (6-3, 242)

 

Once these are confirmed, I’ll put up a little more information on the individuals. The 49ers are are expected to announce the list of signees on Thursday.

 

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