Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area is reporting that the San Francisco 49ers agreed to terms with tight end Nate Byham, a sixth round selection in this year's NFL Draft. The two sides agreed on a four year contract, exact financial terms have not been disclosed yet.
As Maiocco notes, the team signed tight end Bear Pascoe in a similar fashion last season out of Fresno State, from the sixth round just like Byham. Many analysts and fans had Pascoe penciled in as the third tight end when the final cuts were made, but Pascoe didn't make the cut end ended up going to New York. So Byham still has a lot of work to do to make the team. He's competing with Tony Curtis and J.J. Finley to convince the team that a third tight end is needed for blocking situations.
Some have said that Byham could play a backup fullback role as well, though one would think his best chance he has at making the full roster would be showcasing his stuff on special teams. Singletary has stated that he wants to have three-to-four roster spots open solely for special teamers as opposed to just plugging in ill-fitting backups. Still, as I said - he's got a lot of work cut out for him and if he makes the team (some consider him ahead of Curtis and Finley) he'll likely be one of the last players on when final cuts are made.
The 49ers are making their way up their draft picks, having signed seventh round cornerback Philip Adams, sixth round running back Anthony Dixon and sixth round wide receiver Kyle Williams. Next in line after Byham it would be linebacker Navorro Bowman, third round pick.
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