The San Francisco 49ers have officially launched their 2026 undrafted free agent class with a wave of signings that includes a mix of seasoned college veterans, explosive athletes, and intriguing international talent, as the franchise looks to replicate its history of finding hidden gems to bolster the roster for the upcoming season. The initial group, announced late Tuesday, features eight players spanning defensive line, wide receiver, tight end, edge rusher, punter, and safety, each bringing a unique blend of production and potential to a team known for its keen eye in the undrafted market. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have consistently turned overlooked prospects into key contributors, and this class offers several candidates who could defy expectations and earn a spot on the final 53-man roster. The signings come as the 49ers prepare for organized team activities and training camp, where these newcomers will compete alongside drafted rookies and established veterans for a chance to prove their worth in the NFL. The urgency of the moment cannot be overstated, as every undrafted free agent signing represents a calculated gamble that could pay dividends for a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations.
The most notable name among the signings is defensive tackle James Thompson Jr., who arrives from the University of Illinois after a productive senior campaign that saw him earn All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition. Thompson started all 13 games for the Fighting Illini, recording 41 tackles, 17 solo stops, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and two quarterback hurries, showcasing the kind of disruptive interior presence that the 49ers covet. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 310 pounds, Thompson brings imposing size and a relentless motor that could translate well to the professional level, particularly in a defensive scheme that values penetration and gap integrity. His journey began at Wisconsin in 2020, where he started multiple games before transferring to Illinois, giving him a wealth of experience against high-level competition over a six-year college career. This extended tenure in the collegiate ranks has provided Thompson with a mature understanding of the game, and his ability to anchor against the run while generating pressure on passing downs makes him a compelling candidate to crack the rotation. The 49ers have a history of developing defensive tackles from undrafted backgrounds, and Thompson’s physical tools and production suggest he could follow that path if he impresses during preseason evaluations.
Wide receiver Will Pauling joins the 49ers after a winding college career that took him from Cincinnati to Wisconsin and finally to Notre Dame, where he posted 26 receptions for 381 yards and six touchdowns in his final season. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, Pauling is a slot specialist whose best statistical output came in 2023 at Wisconsin, when he hauled in 74 catches for 837 yards and six touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to be a reliable target in the short-to-intermediate passing game. His route-running precision and quickness off the line of scrimmage make him a natural fit for the 49ers’ offense, which thrives on creating mismatches in the middle of the field and utilizing shifty receivers in space. Pauling’s potential as a return specialist could also enhance his roster chances, as the 49ers often value versatility on special teams when evaluating undrafted free agents. His journey through multiple programs has given him exposure to different offensive systems, and his production at Wisconsin proves he can handle a significant workload when given the opportunity. The 49ers will likely test him in training camp to see if his skills translate against NFL-caliber defenders, and his ability to separate from coverage could make him a dark horse candidate for a depth role.
The 49ers made a significant financial commitment to tight end Khalil Dinkens, guaranteeing him $275,000 to sign with the team out of Penn State, a clear indication of their belief in his potential. Dinkens, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 250 pounds, posted impressive athletic testing numbers including a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, a 33.25-inch arm length, a 32.5-inch vertical jump, a 7.28-second three-cone drill, and 25 bench press reps, showcasing the explosiveness and strength that NFL teams covet at the position. His production at Penn State was modest, with 14 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns in his final season, but he earned All-Big Ten honorable mention and started eight games, demonstrating his reliability as a blocker and occasional pass-catching threat. Dinkens comes from NFL lineage, as his father played tight end at Pittsburgh and spent eight years in the league, giving him a unique understanding of the professional demands and the work ethic required to succeed. His straight-line speed and ability to stretch the seam could make him a valuable asset in the 49ers’ offense, which often utilizes multiple tight-end sets to create mismatches. The guaranteed money signals that the team sees him as more than a camp body, and his development will be closely monitored as he competes for a spot behind established veterans.
Edge rusher Male Kamar emerges as one of the most intriguing signings in this class, coming off a standout season at Indiana where he earned third-team AP All-American honors and first-team All-Big Ten recognition. Kamar led the Hoosiers with 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2024, starting all 13 games and recording 47 total tackles, production that made him a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which honors defensive players who exhibit integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. His journey began at James Madison, where he played four years before transferring to Indiana, and his 2025 season saw a dip in production with 34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks over 16 starts as part of a national championship run. At 6-foot-1 and 262 pounds, Kamar lacks the ideal size that NFL scouts typically seek in edge rushers, which likely contributed to him going undrafted despite his impressive collegiate resume. His motor and tenacity were on full display during the college playoffs, where he made several impactful plays that caught the attention of evaluators, and his ability to generate pressure off the edge could translate if he adapts to the speed of the professional game. The 49ers have a track record of developing undersized pass rushers into productive contributors, and Kamar’s relentless style aligns with the team’s defensive philosophy.
The 49ers also addressed their punting situation by signing Jack Bowmester, an Australian native who transferred to Texas for his senior season and earned preseason second-team All-ACC honors. Bowmester, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 209 pounds, was rated the number six punting prospect coming out of high school and brings a wealth of experience from his time at multiple programs. His inclusion on the 2025 Ray Guy Award preseason watch list underscores his potential as a directional punter with the ability to flip field position, a critical asset in the 49ers’ field-position-driven approach. Bowmester’s Australian background often translates to a unique punting style that emphasizes hang time and accuracy, and his ability to handle pressure situations could make him a valuable addition to the special teams unit. The 49ers have a history of evaluating international talent, and Bowmester will compete with incumbent punter Mitch Wishnowsky for the starting role during training camp. His signing adds depth to a position that often goes overlooked but can significantly impact game outcomes, particularly in close contests where field position becomes paramount.
Wide receiver Wesley Grimes joins the 49ers out of NC State, where he posted his best season in 2025 with 29 receptions for 430 yards and three touchdowns, showing steady improvement over his four-year college career. At 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds, Grimes possesses the size and frame that NFL teams look for in an outside receiver, and his moderate production suggests he has untapped potential that could emerge with better quarterback play and offensive system fit. He entered college in 2022, meaning he spent only four years in the program, which is relatively short compared to many of his undrafted peers, giving him room for growth and development at the professional level. Grimes will need to prove himself on special teams to increase his chances of making the roster, as the 49ers typically keep only a handful of wide receivers and prioritize versatility. His route-running and ability to win contested catches will be evaluated during training camp, and he could benefit from learning under a coaching staff that has maximized the potential of late-round and undrafted receivers in the past.
Safety Jaylen Strowman brings a physical, box-safety mentality to the 49ers after entering the league in 2021 and recording 30 solo tackles, one interception, and a pass deflection in his most recent season. Standing at 6-foot-0 and 203 pounds, Strowman is a downhill player who thrives in run support, but his 4.7-second 40-yard dash time raises questions about his ability to cover in space at the NFL level. His production dipped last year, likely due to injury, and the 49ers will need to assess his health and explosiveness during offseason workouts to determine if he can contribute as a depth piece or special teams ace. Strowman’s experience in the league gives him an edge over raw rookies, as he understands the speed and complexity of the professional game, but his testing numbers place him on the lower end of athleticism for the position. The 49ers have a strong safety room led by Talanoa Hufanga and Ji’Ayir Brown, so Strowman will need to make an immediate impact on special teams to secure a roster spot. His physicality and willingness to engage in the run game align with the 49ers’ defensive identity, and he could carve out a role if he stays healthy and improves his coverage skills.
Defensive tackle Bryson Een from Tennessee rounds out the initial wave of signings, bringing a 6-foot-2, 323-pound frame and 33-inch arms that give him the size to occupy double teams and clog running lanes. Een ran a 5.09-second 40-yard dash with a 1.8-second 10-yard split, and his 5.2-second short shuttle indicates decent lateral agility for a player of his stature. His production at Tennessee was moderate, averaging around 20 to 30 tackles and one and a half sacks per season over the last three years, with his best output coming in 2023 when he consistently disrupted the interior. Projected as a sixth-round pick, Een represents value for the 49ers as an undrafted free agent, and his ability to serve as an average backup or special teams contributor could earn him a spot on the practice squad or final roster. His experience dating back to 2020 gives him a maturity that should help him adapt quickly to the NFL’s demands, and his size makes him a natural fit for the 49ers’ defensive line rotation. The team will likely use training camp to evaluate his conditioning and technique, with an eye toward developing him as a run-stuffing presence who can spell starters in short-yardage situations.
The 49ers have a storied history of identifying undrafted free agents who go on to become key contributors, with last year’s example being Drew Moss, who made the final roster and carved out a role on special teams. This year’s class offers a diverse array of talent, from the explosive edge rushing of Kamar to the international flair of Bowmester, and each player will have an opportunity to prove themselves during organized team activities and preseason games. The franchise’s scouting department has earned a reputation for finding overlooked prospects who fit their system, and the guaranteed money given to Dinkens suggests a particular confidence in his upside. As training camp approaches, these undrafted signings will compete not only against each other but also against drafted rookies and veteran holdovers for the limited spots available on the 53-man roster. The 49ers’ coaching staff will pay close attention to how these players perform in practice and exhibition games, looking for the kind of intangibles that cannot be measured in combine drills or college statistics. The urgency of the moment is palpable, as every snap in camp could determine whether these players fulfill their NFL dreams or return to the free agent market.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see which of these undrafted free agents emerge as the next success story for a franchise that has turned overlooked talent into championship-caliber depth. The 49ers’ ability to develop players like Thompson, Pauling, Dinkens, Kamar, Bowmester, Grimes, Strowman, and Een will be tested in the coming months, but the organization’s track record provides reason for optimism. Each signing represents a calculated risk, with the potential for significant reward if even one player exceeds expectations and becomes a regular contributor. The 2026 season is still months away, but the foundation for competition is being laid now, and these undrafted free agents are eager to prove that they belong in the NFL. The 49ers have given them a platform, and now it is up to them to seize the opportunity and make their mark on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
A wave of young talent is flooding the roster.
